Energy is the basis of all activities. It’s the charge that keeps the motor of the human world running. Take energy away, and you’ll lose everything – lights, electricity, mobility – everything.
As we modernize our lifestyles, we consume more energy. Getting more work done, traveling to far-off countries, and developing urban spaces all demand energy. This is good news because it means that the world is progressing. More people having access to energy means that more people get the privilege to live a respectful human life; however, like everything, there is a flip side to the coin as well. Consumption of more energy means that we are releasing more greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the environment – and this is a red flag.
GHGs are harmful to the environment
GHGs are the prime agents responsible for global warming and climate change. As we step into the future wearing the crown of development, we are also advancing toward a total climate disaster. Altered weather patterns, excessive flooding, water scarcity, rising temperatures, and loss of flora & fauna are only a few items from the stock. The continuous emission of GHGs into the environment is edging us closer to a global climate catastrophe. So, in order to counter the effect, we must do everything from our end to stop the release of GHGs into the environment. As of 2019, we are releasing about 51 billion tons of GHGs into the environment. In order to prevent a climate disaster, we must cut it down to zero. Thus, we must achieve net-zero.
Towards Net-Zero & Sustainable Future
The quest to achieve net-zero may sound too ambitious, but the goal is still within our grasp. Renewable energy, sustainable technology, and innovations can be the breakthrough that helps us not just reduce GHG emissions, but bring them down to absolute zero. However, a quest of such a global level cannot come to life by the efforts of a few individuals or innovators. It demands a collective effort – a collaboration between inventors, government officials, policymakers, investors, and private market players to alter the whole landscape of the climate and energy industry.
The past years post-industrial revolution marked the age of rapid development and urbanization that brought the comforts and luxury of kings to common life, but also polluted and violated the very roots of our environment. The years ahead in the future look bleak with the prospect of global climate catastrophe looming over our heads. This means that we stand at a very crucial period in the present moment. The actions we take in the upcoming years will redefine everything about energy, technology, and climate; and everything depends on research and innovation.
Innovation cannot happen at the turn of the hat. It demands rigorous study, research, testing, and experiments. It demands funds, investments, and seasoned risk-takers who can create the space in the market for the deployment of products into public life.
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This is where climate funds, investments, venture capitalists, and private players come into the game. They hold the potential to turn the challenge on its head and transform the threat of climate change into a trillion-dollar opportunity. In other words, climate change is not just a threat – it is also an opportunity.
An opportunity to develop novel technologies that not only meet the energy requirements of the whole world but can do the same without releasing GHGs into the environment. Ultimately, when these technologies are taken out of research labs and rolled out into the market, they will be released as products and services employed by everyday people. This holds the potential to disrupt the entire energy industry.
