Clean change in a crisis

Miranda A. Schreurs

There is no doubt that the current crisis represents major challenges for the world’s policy makers. Yet, while the problems we face are dire, the crisis may provide us with an opportunity to institute changes that will lead towards a more sustainable and equitable global economic structure. Existing structures have contributed not only to our current economic woes; they are also responsible for other serious global problems, including climate change. It is clear that these structures are not working. Crises can be the engines of visionary change, and that is what is needed now. Yet, how can this change be brought about, especially at a time of recession?

Address global warming
Global warming can lead to the melting of glaciers – threatening fresh water sources; the rise of sea levels – putting coastal communities in danger; droughts – affecting the availability of food crops; and extreme weather events – risking the lives of the most vulnerable. Various cost benefit analyses point to the same conclusion – that the costs of inaction are likely to far outweigh the costs of taking action now. While, the benefits of tackling climate change are many. Doing so can bring about a modernisation of industry and infrastructures that will help economies to be more competitive in the future. It can lead to cost savings and create new jobs with the development of new environmental industries.

Enhance energy efficiency
There is tremendous waste in how we use the energy we currently have. Energy is lost because existing electricity grid systems in many parts of the world are out of date. Building codes are too lax. Goods transport is inefficient. Electronic equipment has unnecessary stand-by functions. This waste is not only detrimental to the environment, it is the equivalent of throwing money out of the window. Energy efficiency improvements –through the installation of insulation, the replacement of incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, requirements for better windows in new buildings, and the use of less-energy intensive equipment can save heating and cooling as well as electricity costs in residential homes and businesses. Similarly, savings that stem from more efficient use of material resources reduce costs to consumers and businesses while reducing the waste that is introduced into the system. The money saved in fuel and material costs can then be reinvested, and new jobs can be created for energy auditors and environmental managers.

Re-think transport policies
The development of mass transit systems can relieve road congestion, improve air quality, and reduce the need to build new roads. Getting people to reduce the number of car trips made in a day – through use of public transport, car pooling, car sharing, and the building of bicycle lanes could go a long way toward reducing urban air pollution problems. And in the meantime, research and development into low-emission and most probably electric powered vehicles can be promoted, so that an eventual technology-shift will be achievable.

Invest in renewable energies
Investment in renewable energies through the development of wind parks, solar facilities, and tidal power can bring power and jobs to rural communities. With a supportive policy system behind it, these more decentralised forms of energy can help meet growing energy demands while enhancing energy security and reducing the need for reliance on fossil fuels.

Institute policies to stimulate change
Governments must play a role in stimulating change. The framework provided by regulatory policies that demand more efficient performance by industry; tax and other incentives to encourage investments in energy and resource efficiency improvements; and information to aid consumers in their product choices can go a long way in changing behaviour. With the right incentives, people and industry will participate. Local governments have achieved cost savings through incentive schemes that provide extra financing when money is saved in energy and material outlays. Companies have improved their bottom-line by cutting waste in their production processes. Feed-in tariffs have contributed to the take off of various renewable energies. What is required is political will and vision.

These are the first steps in taking the global community closer to a more sustainable and just world. The ideas are not new, but they are getting new attention. A growing number of world leaders are talking about the importance of a Green New Deal that will move the world toward a green technology revolution. What these ideas share in common is that current structures are premised on out-dated industrial models that need to be phased out so that new, cleaner, and safer models can be developed. There is growing recognition that existing industries and infrastructures based on cheap and abundant fossil fuels are becoming less competitive and less desirable. Working to change these systems can go a long way in helping address climate change while revitalising the global economy.

Miranda A. Schreurs is professor of comparative politics  at Freie Universität Berlin