The heading is a bit optimistic, but… this is an interesting future to think about.

Originally shared by Danie van der Merwe

No More War, Pestilence, & Poverty: How Renewable Energy Will Alter The Global Geopolitical Calculus – A democratization of energy supply is underway

Oil reserves are not distributed equality around the world. Some countries have them, others don’t. Over the past century or so, humanity’s unquenchable thirst for oil has led to wars over who should have access to it — from Japan’s quest for oil to power its nascent economy prior to World War II to the US-led wars in Kuwait and Iraq designed to ensure America an adequate supply of liquid gold.

At the ninth annual conference of the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi last week, outgoing IRENA director-general Adnan Z Amin spelt out how renewable energy is thriving and what that will mean for the nations of the world.

The work was funded by the governments of Norway, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates, says PV Magazine. “When put together, a fascinating new geopolitical reality … is emerging in front of us,” said Grimsson. The report came to four main conclusions.

1. The high penetration of renewables will result in a new geopolitical map, marking a departure from a century dominated by fossil fuels

2. The new order will feature “enhanced leadership” from China

3. The changeover to renewables will offer many nations increased energy independence

4. A democratization of energy supply is underway.

Along with the democratization of energy thanks to renewables, the report envisions greater cooperation among nations as they find new ways to share the new found bounty of unlimited energy that is all around us, just waiting to be harvested.

We may well still see wars over water in the future but even abundant energy generation could mean cheaper options to desalinate seawater for example. Some countries are seeing where the future lies (especially those without oil) and are taking a lead in the renewables space.

See https://cleantechnica.com/2019/01/14/no-more-war-pestilence-poverty-how-renewable-energy-will-alter-the-global-geopolitical-calculus/

#oil #wars

https://cleantechnica.com/2019/01/14/no-more-war-pestilence-poverty-how-renewable-energy-will-alter-the-global-geopolitical-calculus/