The demand for energy in today’s world is rising, specifically electricity, as there are now around 1.1 billion people on the planet who have little or no access to it. Having access to energy is key for human wellbeing, economic development and poverty prevention, and ensuring everyone has access is an ongoing challenge for global advancement.
Because of this lack of access to energy technology and modern energy sources, people across the globe, more so in rural communities, struggle to break out of the cycle of “energy poverty”.
By countries developing renewable energy, they are enabling shops and business to stay open longer and have a more fruitful future, providing children with lighting at home to continue their studying and giving communities access to better and more reliable healthcare.
What can countries do?
Having a grasp of which countries have sustainable renewable energy access and which ones need vital support, is the first step to ensuring the millions living in energy poverty are not left behind whilst the rest go on to thrive.
The UK has already made a step forwards in its mission to produce much more renewable energy. Currently wind power generates enough energy to meet 10% of the UK’s needs with over 9,300 wind turbines erected across the countries unused land.
Equally in the UK there are now over 1 million homes that are equipped with solar panels on their roofs. However, with the Government debating cutting the incentive for people to invest in this source of renewable energy, thanks to complaints from fossil fuel-based energy companies, how will households be encouraged to be part of the worlds need for a clean energy transformation?
Consumers need access to efficient tools to utilise the power
How can you help to make a difference? By investing in a renewables system at home, you can do your part by not only reducing your household carbon footprint, but also your energy bills too.
Firstly, ensure you have the appropriate tools to be able to utilise your power. Having the right power cables means getting the most out of your new renewable energy source. Amazon carries a wide range of solar energy kits and even spare cables which come in different lengths, plug types and electrical currents.
Countries need to continue to invest in the right technology to guarantee any sustainability.
In 2016, solar and wind energy collectively received 94 percent of global financial investment. With these two technologies receiving the biggest investment, this suggests countries see solar and wind energy as the dominant renewable technologies of the future. Continued investment will be crucial in ensuring these technologies are developed sufficiently enough to make a difference to our planet.
April 2017 saw the launch of a new global initiative called “Mission 2020”. Launched by Christina Figueres, former UN climate chief with an aim to bring a new-found urgency to the global climate conversation, by looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Mission 2020 looks to see renewable energy make up at least 30% of total global electricity, a rise of 4.3% on 2015. The plan also indicates that no new coal-fired plants be built anywhere in the world post 2020, wants to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road to around 15% and to encourage more forest growth globally.
We can only hope that countries now look to develop a enough renewable energy technology to help our planet live on.
