Session 8 Renewable energy

If there is one thing to take a way from today’s session is that the biggest barrier that hinders renewable energy from reaching its potential is cooperation. This is evident in the reading son vista as well as from the presentations today.

Reading 3 from vista states that energy policy makers have to consider many other factors and not solely on energy. For instance, the social impact, the economic impact among others. The problem here is that people are so focused on their own current needs that they forget the big picture and thus do not provide the appropriate concession for it. Below are some factors to explain my point:

- People only focus on investing in renewable energy if it will bring in profits in the long run for themselves. Therefore renewable energy becomes a business decision. So if we find a renewable energy source that it not profitable do we through away the idea? We might if we carry on with a business mindset.

- Governments and various organizations tend to see renewable energy as an alternative energy source. Yes 10 to 20 years ago that might have been the case. Not anymore. We have to change that mindset and realize that we have to eventually make renewable energy our only source of energy. A simple change of words from alternative to main energy source can make a difference.

- Minor barriers or excuses? Fossil fuels are cheaper alternatives. How long can we hide behind that excuse? Sustainable development is the only way we can carry on with our extensive energy consumption without resulting in end of the world situations. It is essential to change to these problems into opportunities to find ways to make renewable energy a cheaper solution, which there are many cases of.

What lessons can we take away from this? One is that we need to be more cooperative when it comes to moving renewable energy in the right direction, which is forward. Secondly, we need to change our mindset and realize that the future is now and that renewable energy is which was the solution for the future has become the solution for now.

I would rate this session an 8/10 because it brought about more insight the actual progress on renewable energy. Although things are being done, it is not nearly enough and we have to find ways to reach the maximum potential or renewable energy.