Education: The vital Key to a Sustainable Energy Policy
SCONA 53 ¾ BREAKOUT GROUP 5 "Best Overall Policy Proposal"
23 February 2008
With the concern of limited fossil fuel resources and climate change, the need for a more sustainable global energy policy has reached the critical point. On a regional level, Texas ranks number one in power plant emissions of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide (Environmental Protection Agency eGRID 2000 database.) and roughly 50 percent of Texan citizens breathe air that does not meet federal standards. As a result of this trend, current energy practices will lessen energy sustainability ¾ leading to economic and environmental degradation. To counter these effects, the role of energy education must promote the following:
1. The understanding of the importance of energy conservation.
2. The possibilities and benefits of renewable (green) energy.
3. The utilization of mass transit systems.
Ultimately, education is the key to equip current and future generations to tackle the impending crisis of the twenty-first century. This century will be defined by our ability to access and consume energy. In order to change global energy policies, we must change our own national energy policy. In essence, by educating the public from childhood to adulthood will drastically improve future energy management of current resources and the development of opportunities in the future. Funding a curriculum that encourages conservation, an understanding of energy resources, and the development of future transportation systems is key. Through this we can avert any further energy crises. America is an individualistic society and people must be on board. A national cohesion is vital and education is the only means to accomplish this.
According to the American Almanac, Americans consume 26 percent of the world’s energy supply while only accounting for 5 percent of the present world’s population. The fluctuation of market prices for fossil fuels (coal and natural gas) causes electricity bills to rise and fall; however substitution of renewable energy sources (wind, solar, biomass) will stabilize and reduce electricity costs. On January 01 of 2002, Texas deregulated its electric system in an effort to open retail competition and encourage consumers into the so-called green energy market. (Again, primarily wind, solar, and biomass.) Unfortunately, due to lack of public education, less than 1 percent of Texas residential energy purchases constitute renewable energy (Main et al. 2002 “Unplugging Texas’ Most Powerful Polluters,” Austin, TX: Seed Coalition.) We believe that energy education will lead citizens to endorse, and ultimately encourage renewable energy practices.
The current energy crisis is by no means the first of its kind. In both 1973 and 1979, the United States faced embargoes and reduced production rates of oil. Considering the solutions of the 1970’s and early 1980’s (conservation, high prices, increased exploitation of U.S. oil, gas, and coal reserves), we believe that a different path is inevitable. The present situation (greater that 60 percent of oil is imported) implies that diversity of supply is a necessity, as is energy education ¾ an engaged and participating American public is essential. While the proposed energy storm is not inevitable (i.e., shortages and/or supply interruptions), preparation can only improve our ability to adapt to the changes in the energy mix that will emerge in the 21st century ¾ in particular, the introduction and assimilation of renewable energy sources.
This education concept is especially important as the emerging Asian industrial powers, such as China and India, will require substantial and increasing energy to continue their economic growth. In short, renewable energy practices must be imposed and/or encouraged because, as ABC News anchor Bill Weir states, “even the air we breathe could be made in China.” China pledged to double reliance on renewable energy infrastructure aiming to reduce the use of fossil fuels by 50 percent by 2020. (Jonathan Watts. “China Pledges to Double Reliance on Renewable Energy by 2020” The Guardian. 2005.)
Energy and environmental education must encourage the adoption of green infrastructure as our societies seek to develop and maintain sustainability. Without the existence of public education, a focus on retrieving fossil fuels without an overwhelming emphasis on energy conservation and renewable energy will only lead to the afore mentioned environmental degradation and avoidable costs. Citizens must push for investments in green infrastructure as the world populations continue to grow, increasing the demand for energy, resources, and a clean environment. Therefore, this delegation proposes OPERATION ENDURING ENERGY.