Economics & Environment: The Green Energy Debate Amid Japan's Nuclear Crisis

Anti-nuclear protest in Germany
Image from guim.co.uk

To nuke or not to nuke?

The nuclear crisis in Japan has raised concerns worldwide as to whether is still a safe solution to the growing demands of energy consumption in the world. Anti-nuclear movements are voicing out their their choices of energy all around the world, namely in Japan, Germany, South Korean, Taiwan, India, Wales, and the U.S.. Interests in the data of Clean / Green / Renewable Energy begins to rise. Some look at the rankings of the green energy investment by countries to find that China has overtaken Germany and USA in 2009 and still leading in the race in 2010, others are looking into the investment environment and opportunities in the green energy sector in the next 10 years or more. Looking at the current development of the energy trend, it appears to me that there is no other possible solution other than moving forward in the direction of cleaner, greener energy sources.

A man walked past a solar power plant in Liaoning Province. China ranked number one in clean energy investment in 2009. (Associated Press/File 2009)

China has great visions and years ago the country has already foreseen the huge growth in demand of energy and begun to invest billions of dollars in greener energy plants and utilities.

Through the words of Mr Cheng Li in the video, "China does not have a choice", it is obvious that China will continue to lead the world in green energy investment. Following the nuclear crisis in Fukushima, Japan, Reuters' today's report titled "China may double solar goal after Japan nuclear leak: report" may well be true.

A vast fan-shaped compound in China has officially taken the title of "largest solar-powered office building in the world". Located in Dezhou in the Shangdong Province in northwest China, the 75,000 square meter structure is a multi-use building and features exhibition centers, scientific research facilities, meeting and training facilities, and a hotel – all of which run on solar power
Image from inhabitat

Then of course, there are opposing opinions, saying that green energy itself is land-space and material demanding, inefficient, extortionate, unreliable, impractical, and un-storable. Nonetheless, in my opinions, no single green energy source can satisfy the huge demand for power and the problems of global warming, the same goes to like coal , crude oil and natural gas alone. When the sun doesn't sun, when the wind doesn't blow, there are still hydroelectric and biomass that will always work. And let's not forget the new generations of green energy such as tidal, wave, geothermal and microgeneration.

I believe that our planet Earth actually has all it is needed for anyone of us to live comfortably and healthily, it is just a matter of human effort to make use of these green resources. If human failed to use the most precious gift that God gives them -- the brain, then they would continue burning fossil fuels and suffer from the consequences of their stupidity.

Just today, an article reveals a solar leaf that is developed by an MIT professor, which could be quite an impact in the changing the way we use energy in the future.

Which is the energy I buy most? Maybe a little recap will help.


Resources:

Anti-nuclear protest in Tokyo as Japan's crisis deepens @Socialist Workers Online
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=24353

Germany stages anti-nuclear marches after Fukushima @ BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12872339

South Korean Environmentalists Hold Anti-Nuclear Power Rally @ NTDTV
http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_asia/2011-03-28/south-korean-environmentalists-hold-anti-nuclear-power-rally.html

Cold comfort for anti-nuclear Taiwanese @ Asia Times Online
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/MC29Ad02.html

Dozens of anti-nuclear protesters march in Indian capital @ The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iAeKMm1arQ8H4Z9tBJftubCrmXRA?docId=6359332

Anti-nuclear campaigners to protest against Anglesey power station @ Wales Online
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/03/28/anti-nuclear-campaigners-to-protest-against-anglesey-power-station-91466-28413745/

Japan Crisis Could Rekindle U.S. Antinuclear Movement @ The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/science/earth/19antinuke.html?_r=1

Clean Energy Investment Is Up, but U.S. Lags @ The New York Times
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/clean-energy-investment-is-up-but-u-s-lags/?partner=rss&emc=rss

China Wins 2010 Clean Energy Race With $54.4 Billion in Funding @ Fast Company
http://www.fastcompany.com/1743133/china-clobbers-the-competition-in-this-years-clean-energy-race-with-544-billion-in-funding

China Goes Green @ ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/china-green-12165930

China may double solar goal after Japan nuclear leak: report @ Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/30/us-china-photovoltaic-idUSTRE72T0F120110330

The Green Energy Economy Reconsidered @ Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/2011/03/28/green-energy-economics-opinions-jerry-taylor-peter-van-doren.html

Hydroelectric Power @ Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectric_power

Biomass energy @ Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass_energy

Tidal Power @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power

Wave Power @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_power

Geothermal Power @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_power

Microgeneration  @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgeneration

Fossil Fuels @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuels

MIT Professor Develops Solar Leaf, Could Lead to Cheaper, Cleaner Energy @ getSolar.com
http://www.getsolar.com/News/Solar-Energy-Facts/General/MIT-Professor-Develops-Solar-Leaf-Could-Lead-to-Cheaper-Cleaner-Energy---800473433

Investment: Electric Cars vs Future -- Part 3 @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/10/investment-electric-cars-vs-future-part_30.html