On Climate Change And Renewable Energy: Where Is The World Going?

Global warming or climate change is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased during the last century.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that increasing greenhouse gas concentrations resulting from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation are responsible for most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century. The IPCC also concludes that natural phenomena such as solar variation and volcanoes produced most of the warming from pre-industrial times to 1950 and had a small cooling effect afterward. These basic conclusions have been endorsed by more than 45 scientific societies and academies of science, including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries.

Countries around the world suffer from historic droughts. Unless we take immediate global action to lower the harmful emissions that are linked to climate change and transition to clean energy sources that also help to grow our economies, we can expect to see these threats multiply.

Africa: Already happening: less water in West African rivers; decline in coral reefs in tropical waters; decline in fruit production in the Sahel; spread of malaria in Kenyan highlands; lower production of fish in the Great Lakes.

Expected this century, failed crops as a result of heat and drought, stress, flood in Ghana, Drought in the North and the Volta Lake level to generate Electric power is law.

I can say more, but since the year 2000 there has been a dramatic transition from one economic regime to the other and this has been touted as the most significant in the antecedent of all historical recording putting the whole world into serious business more than before. There came the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) with bonded commitment ratified by nations across the globe. Efforts were equally exerted to large extend at various level to pursue agendas and action worth considering g. The underlying was the fact that during the mid-point for evaluating in the most recent past on successes and challenges there remains much work to be done. Our hopes were raised again to the latter but fell short of expectation in the long run. Till date no nation reached the highest score mark putting the lives and future of our growing population at the mercy of wallowing in object poverty, frustration and keenly despair.

From 8 goals we now have 17 yet again to receive world leader’s full endorsement as the road map for fostering global development. This is another promising bench marks which continue to receive worldwide consultations from state and none state actors with the official birth yet to be decided in the upcoming conference in New York 2015. While there is advent hope stirring all in the face the recent Financing for Development (FFD) conference in Ethiopia 13-16^thJuly, 2015 dashed the hopes and aspiration of all. We were taken aback as many concluding turns out of decision clouded the atmosphere in the end. With few remain global event equally pegged such as the Bonn conference on climate change conference(29August-4^thSeptember,2015), the sustainable development goals conference in new york,COP21 PARIS, all happening within the corridors of 2015 we cannot stand aloof to allow surprises to overshadow long invested efforts to go waste. I am thus, encouraged to ask where our world is going.

With over 200 years accumulated evidence made available by our learned scientific community climate change and energy should not be paid lip service again. I believe among the necessities of life climate change and renewable energy play predominant role without it man’s survival on mother health is questionable. This is our time and questioning the status quo must not be interpreted to mean mere witch hunting. Across all the continent evident points to one direction we have failed. This is our time not to fail again. If we can convey meetings from time to time yet personal interest and above all mistrust from all front occupies the hearts and minds of people then the world has no positive legacy worth bequeathing to the next generation. Where are our negotiators, where are our civil society activist, where are our scientific experts, let arise and shake the world with clear conscience. This is our time to prove to the world that we cannot wait any longer. Enough is enough. We must care and this is why we care.

As a reminder across the globe, Renewables accounted for more than 56 percent of net additions to global power capacity in 2013. These new additions saw non-hydropower renewables collectively grow nearly 17 percent to an estimated 560 GW. Global new investment in renewable power and fuels was at least $249.4 billion in 2013, while investments in non-hydro renewables were down 14 percent relative to 2012 and 23 percent lower than the record level in 2011. The decline was due to sharp reductions in technology costs, particularly for solar PV, but also policy uncertainty in the United States and parts of Europe. Renewables are increasingly a driver of economic growth, accounting for an estimated 6.5 million direct or indirect jobs in 2013. Growing numbers of cities, states, and regions seek to transition to 100 percent renewable energy in either individual sectors or economy-wide. For example, Djibouti, Scotland, and the small-island state of Tuvalu all aim to derive 100 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Many individual municipalities and regions have already achieved economy wide or sectoral 100% renewable energy targets. Renewable energy provided an estimated 19 percent of global final energy consumption in 2012, with modern renewables accounting for 10 percent and the remaining 9 percent coming from traditional biomass. This according to 2014 reports on the status of renewable energy offers hope

Transition from MDGS to SDGS is not a small deal at all and the much awaited post 2015 will linger on well if we put in many efforts to Finnish the unfinished business of our time. If carbon emission stands at 25%, 18%, 10%, and 5% among others why must we not rise to the latter? Let makes thing matter and use all our collective energies to fight for the best. We will all be affected by our actions and inactions. This could be easy to say but without walking the talk your guess can be as best as mine.

Let rise to make positive history than failed advocates of our time. Where is the world going?

From policy ratification should follow action. Actions based on stronger commitment and strict adherence to agreed terms of action from government, civil societies, and leaders at every level of the development ladder. We must not fail this time and age again and again.

Climate change has impacts for almost all people around the world. We are already experiencing climate change in all continents, and changes in weather that could be a result of climate change. If there is anything to go by sound climate change management policies roll out and effective renewable energy intervention will be the surest way to address the teaming incidence. Within the 17 strong indicators coming on the heels of SDGS conference 2015, thumps up be accorded to this strong elements.

Our children and grandchildren may live to experience more dramatic consequences. Politicians and world leaders may determine the future of the planet, but you, as a citizen, and your children, will have to live with the consequences. Therefore, your opinion is important. It’s my concern, your concern, our concern; the ball is in your court.

JOSEPH SENYO KWASHIE ( [email protected] )

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY AID FOUNDATION GHANA