Energy Transition or Energy Extremism?!

Source: · LINKEDIN · | October 12, 2021

Natural gas has a vital role to play in the global energy transition

Source: AB Energy

I know that you think to understand what energy transition is. I thought the same! But in reality, many people (also policy makers, unfortunately) are acting like there is no transition period at all or it is so short that we can be “greenwashed” anytime soon. Allow me to give another perspective.

The term “energy transition” was created to refer to the shift from an energy mix based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy sources that produce very limited, if not zero, carbon emissions. The truth is: many have ignored the need for a suitable transition period. That future has not arrived yet! Certainly not in terms of which green technologies are ready, which are economical, which enjoy the requisite build-out of supporting infrastructure and who pays for it all. 

Yes, our Planet Earth is warming up. Today, it’s about one degree hotter than pre-industrial levels and is forecasted to rise 1.0 - 3 degrees by the end of the century, according to different scenario. The predicted consequences may be dire. Polar ice caps would melt, sea levels would rise significantly higher, and climate change would intensify desertification in widespread areas and cause an increase in the occurrence and intensity of hurricanes, floods, fires and other extreme weather events. Based on worst-case forecasts, the future of many cities and their populations could be at stake. Yes, other predictions are certainly less catastrophic. But the scientific community agrees that we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And the main culprit, carbon dioxide, is the by-product arising mostly from the energy sector (courtesy: OurWorldInData.org)