Week8

This week, this class had a discussion on the energy consumption and the approach towards sustainability and greener environment.

The most memorable quote of the lesson from Prof. Shahi is that "if everyone consumed as much energy as the average Singaporean and U.S.Resident, the world's oil reserves would be depleted in 9 years". How much truth in this statement! It is indisputable that more natural resources will be formed along the years pass by. Moreover, it is undeniable that the ultimately disproportion between the amount of energy resource consumption and the amount of new natural energy resources formed within a short period of time will speed up the process of farewell to natural sources.

Energy consumption has been increasing rapidly along the economic development. The rising use of fossil fuel and coals has led to deep pollution and the energy sources are not fully utilised. A survey has shown that renewable energy took up only 19% of the global final energy consumption in 2008. There are more to be done by the people so as to achieve a sustainable and green development. Hence, in-depth considerations of energy resource usage and measures to increase energy efficiency and pollution prevention have to be taken.

An interesting video that depicts the incredibility of mankind:

Mankind really has to be innovative in order to seek a way out of such difficult position. With so many concerns and worries circulating around, the only way to make us through these is innovation. We have many alternatives of renewable energies beside fossil fuel, natural gas and coal. We can have solar energy, wind energy and water energy. However, due to the early stage of such technological discoveries, the high cost of implementation results in people's reluctance of supporting green energy and turning back to using the relatively low cost resources.

We, human being, always know we have to take a greener approach and focus more on sustainability. Often, we forget that there is a cost to realise the strategies and this cost is worth us investing in. Eventually, it is not solely the government's responsibility of undergoing the dilemma of such investment but also the people playing in a part in being supportive and acting more environmental friendly by consuming less.

Session Rating: 9/10