Photograph by Eskinder Debebe / Source: United Nations Photo
A view of the Middelgruden offshore wind farm located off the Danish coast. 

 

            Energy security is undoubtedly one of the most contentious and vital issues in international affairs today. But what exactly is "energy security?" The simplest definition of the term is given as "the availability of sufficient supplies at affordable prices" (Yergin 2006, 70-1). This definition, however, runs the risk of oversimplifying a critical issue. Indeed, the scope of energy security extends beyond the availability and affordability of energy supplies to include facets of national security, macroeconomic stability, and geopolitics. Clearly, with so many far-reaching implications, the enhancement of energy security is a priority for states.

In 2010 oil constituted roughly 33 percent of total global enery consumption, natural gas 25 percent and coal 30 percent (BP 2011, 45). Nuclear energy, another nonrenewable energy source, counted for just over four percent. This means that less than eight percent of global energy consumption in 2010 came from the use of renewable energy sources like hydropower, solar energy, biomass, geothermal and wind power. This finding is not unique either; on the contrary, global energy consumption has always been predominantly composed of nonrenewable energy sources. This trend is problematic for two key reasons.

First, the world relies predominantly on nonrenewable sources – oil, coal, natural gas and nuclear power – for its energy needs. The reason why these sources are labeled “nonrenewable” is because, well, they are finite. While the supply of these sources may be readily avaiable now, there are no guarantees for the future. In fact, many have claimed that peak oil – the point at which global production reaches a maximum and begins to decline thereafter – is no more than five years away (Wheatcroft 2011). In other words, the amount of oil produced annually will drop as reserves are depleted. Adding to this concern is the rapid rise of China, India and Brazil in the international system. In the last decade, these emergent economic superpowers have contributed significantly to the rise in global oil demand, and by extension to the rise in oil prices. The scarcity of finite energy sources coupled with the rising demand of consumers like China, India and Brazil have certainly spurred concern for the future availability of nonrenewable energy sources.

Second, the heavy and increasing use of fossil fuels has contributed substantially to environmental degradation. When used, fossil fuels emit a variety of gases including carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide which are then trapped in the atmosphere, causing a rise in global temperatures, an outcome known as global warming. This climate change has led to significant increases in the occurence of natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts (Reuters 2000). Melting ice caps in the Arctic and Antarctica have raised sea levels, endangering millions of people along coastal regions. Famines brought on my droughts contribute to food scarcity, most notably in the poorest regions of the world where malnutrition, epidemics and starvation are rife. Floods, hurricanes and tornadoes contribute to widespread destruction and even the spread of disease. Moreover, the destructive outcomes of these natural disasters are even more acute for the Third World which is ill-equipped to deal with such outcomes, lacking the necessary infrastructure and financial wherewithal.

On one hand, the use of nonrenewable energy sources is relatively cheap compared to the alternatives as well as effective; on the other hand, these sources are finite and their prices volatile. As noted by one oil expert, “cycles of shortage and surplus characterize the entire history of the oil industry,” a factor which explains the extreme volatility in oil prices (Yergin 2005). The problem is, not only are nonrenewable energy sources moving ever more towards depletion, but their increased use is contributing to environmental degradation. A major challenge facing the international community today is the reconciliation of this trend. In other words, the international community is faced with the immense challenge of finding cheap and renewable energy sources that are also environmentally-friendly.

To this end, the United Nations has promoted sustainable development – a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment – through the development of energy alternatives (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2011). The method of sustainable development is meant to ultimately eradicate global poverty, an objective on par with the Millenium Development Goals. Many developing countries, however, lack the financial and human capital necessary to develop and maintain renewable energy alternatives.

The United Nations believes it is in the world best interest to invest heavily in the development of renewable energy technologies. The UN General Assembly has affirmed the need to implement the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, otherwise known as the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Building off the Rio Summit in 1992, the Johannesburg Plan aims to reduce poverty as well as institute energy reforms away from high emissions fuels towards renewable and sustainable energy (Dobriansky 2002). The expected benefits of implementation are immense: the diversification of energy sources will likely promote stability in the energy sector; green energies will lessen the harmful impact of energy use on the planet; and the development of renewable energy technologies may spur development and wealth creation in both the developed and developing world. While the achievement of sustainable development remains a target rather than a reality, the United Nations has nevertheless pledged to make it a priority in the coming years (Heilprin 2011).

Works Cited

British Petroleum. 2011. “BP Statistical Review of World Energy: June 2011.” British Petroleum. Accessed September 21, 2011 from: http://www.bp.com/assets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/reports_and_
publications/statistical_energy_review_2011/STAGING/local_assets/pdf/statistical_
review_of_world_energy_full_report_2011.pdf.

Dobriansky, Paula. 2002. “A dream worth sustaining; Johannesburg’s hopes can be realized.” The Washington Times. 8 October 2011. Accessed September 26, 2011 from: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-92560330.html.

Heilprin, John. 2011. “UN Chief Says Sustainable Development Top Priority.” ABC News Internet Ventures. 19 July 2011. Accessed September 26, 2011 from: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=14102805.

Reuters. 2000. “Report: Climate change causing jump in natural disasters.” CNN.com. 29 September 2000. Accessed September 26, 2011 from: http://archives.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/09/29/warming.disasters.reut/.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2011. “Commission on Sustainable Development, CSD-19.” United Nations. Accessed September 21, 2011 from: http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/index.shtml?utm_source=OldRedirect&utm_medium=redirect&utm_content=dsd&utm_
campaign=OldRedirect.

Wheatcroft, Patience. 2011. “The Next Crisis: Prepare for Peak Oil.” The Wall Street Journal. 11 February 2011. Accessed September 21, 2011 from: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704140104575057260398292350.html.

Yergin, Daniel. 2005. “It’s Not the End Of the Oil Age.” The Washington Post. 31 July 2005. Accessed September 21, 2011 from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/29/AR2005072901672.html.

Yergin, Daniel. 2006. “Ensuring Energy Security.” Foreign Affairs 85 (2) (March/April 2006), 69-82. Accessed September 21, 2011 from: http://www.un.org/ga/61/second/daniel_yergin_energysecurity.pdf.

                                                            Questions

1. What is your country's stance on sustainable development? The development of renewable energy technologies?
2. If your country is not promoting the development of renewable energy, what are the reasons behind this? Do you need international assistance for renewable energy technologies?
3. Has your country signed the Kyoto Protocols? What about the Johannesburg Plan? Any other intergovernmental agreements on sustainable development and/or climate change?
4. What is your country's status as an oil consumer? Oil producer?