The Nuclear Comeback

After being reviled as the biggest environmental enemy, nuclear power is finally making a comeback to respectability. Even environmentalists today are willing to embrace nuclear power.

What has brought about this drastic change? The rising spectre of global warming has been a primary cause for this change of hearts. Scientific evidence has incontrovertibly shown that climate change is a real phenomenon and will beget consequences that will wreak havoc and destroy our way of living. Under these circumstances it is natural that governments, civil society organizations and individuals look for measures to fight climate change.

Developed countries especially need to be vigilant about their emissions. Energy remains one of the main causes of carbon dioxide world wide, and the demand for energy is expected to further increase. Fossil fuel plants especially coal based thermal plants are among the worst culprits. While renewable energy options such as wind farms and hydro power are gaining popularity, a low carbon intensity electricity generation option will need to include nuclear fuel. Nuclear power plants do not generate comparable carbon dioxide emissions and can be a viable technological solution to meet the growing energy demand without emitting tonnes of harmful greenhouse gases.

While climate change remains one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our times, it has raised the conundrum of the attractiveness and correctness of nuclear energy again, though this time around the wind is blowing in the favour of nuclear power.

Climate Change Solutions

The Obama government has shown strong commitment to fighting climate change, and one of its action plans is to stimulate, encourage and develop a green economy that becomes a leader in the world in finding and funding innovation and cutting edge technology that offers unique solutions for climate change mitigation. Just as America has led the IT revolution worldwide, the Obama government intends to make America the pioneer in eco-friendly technology.

But a quiet revolution of sorts is happening in India right now. Surprisingly, India is developing her own scientific tools and machines to fight global warming. A recent article in the New York Times showcased some of these technologies. For instance, India already has an indigenous eco-friendly electric car which does not use any fossil fuels, the Reva Electric Car. Other examples include the world's first solar-powered music band (the Solar Punch!), and the Gadhia solar plant in Valsad, Gujarat, where steam is used for cooking and almost 50,000 people can be fed at one time.

Thus India too is playing a leading role in developing original and innovative solutions fight climate change.

India's Alternative Energy Future

Even in these times of global financial recession, India is projected to show growth. In the coming years, India's appetite for energy will increase considerably as demand will rise because of India's economic progress.

India's current energy sources are mainly dependent on fossil fuels. India's National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC), which is responsible for the thermal power, most of it through coal fired plants, generated in India, is among the world's largest electricity corporations. It is also among the most polluting. India is already a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol and while it does not have to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions because of its status as a developing country, there is still considerable international and national pressure on India to curb its emissions. Under these circumstances, it is deemed prudent for India to look at sources other than fossil fuels for fulfilling energy needs.

Alternative energy is a viable alternative in order to satisfy India's energy woes. India is the only country in the world with a separate Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Today, India is ranked fourth globally for installed wind capacity and second for biogas generation. India is ranked as the third most attractive country to invest in renewable energy, after the U.S. and Germany, in the 2008 Ernst and Young Country Attractiveness Indices.

Moreover the first National Climate Action Plan which was released by the Govt. of India in mid-2008, emphasizes the use and development of renewable energy sources such as solar cells. The future of alternative energy is thus bright in India and this field is ripe for investment and growth.

Davos – a familiar dawn?

The World Economic Forum in Davos started off this week. This annual forum sees global leaders get together in Davos, Switzerland to hold a round of discussions on the most pressing issues of our times. Climate change has traditionally been high on the agenda of this yearly meeting. But this year, climate change will have to take a backseat. The looming global economic crisis coupled with recession in the biggest economies of the world has made economic revival the most urgent issue of the moment.

Naturally, it is expected that incentives to revitalize stock-markets which have taken a roaring beating in the past few months, will dominate any international discussion. But as we move forward in a new era of financial uncertainty and dwindling trust in financial regulatory bodies, it is essential that we don't lose sight of the greater goal of preserving our environment for the common good of mankind. And to conserve our natural wealth, we will have to join together and face the challenge of climate change and global warming. It is important that global leaders who have right now gathered in Davos don't lose sight of this goal.