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Economic and Social Council Background Guide

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Economic and Social Council Background Guide Economic and Social Council Background Guide Written by: Brian Mandel, Adam Smith, and Hemen Aklilu, Case Western Reserve University Economic and Social Counsel (ECOSOC), one of the six principal bodies of the United Nations (UN), formation was in 1946, and currently has 54 member states. Its mandate is to be the main body on the issues of economic, social and environmental issues. Furthermore, ECOSOC is the central medium for pursuits of the UN and the specialized body. Along with overlooking the UN bodies discussing economic, social and environmental issues. ECOSOC’s mandate has been revised in the last decade, so it can better execute the outcomes of UN conferences and summits revolving around economic, social and environmental issues.1 I. Promoting of Green Energy Statement of the Issue Over the past 40 years, the world has realized the damage that it has done to the environment and the dangers this damage creates. Perhaps the most significant danger, however, is the issue of climate change brought about by the emission of CO2 through the burning of fossil fuels. While many nations have tried to curb their use of fossil fuels by transitioning to green energy, the issue of increasing CO2 emissions continues to plague the planet, contributing to global climate change. Although many countries have started to transition to green energy, it is a long process because of the economic and technological hindrances. History The Use of Fossil Fuels The first recorded signs of global climate change began at the turn of the 20th century in Sweden. In the midst of the Industrial Revolution, dominated by coal- powered machinery, the chemist Svante Arrhenius hypothesized how rising carbon 1 "UN economic and social council; resolutions; decisions," United Nations, , accessed December 30, 2016. 1 dioxide levels might affect global climate.2. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, energy production was mainly limited to burning biomass and from pack animals with hydropower and wind power sustaining a niche portion of early use. The following century, however, was marked by a shift in traditional methods to heavy industrialization in Europe and North America, with coal mining becoming a primary source of fuel. The early 20th century is marked with a great divide between the industrial, manufacturing nations, mainly colonial powers, and their dependencies. By the end of the First World War, coal and oil provided 90% of the energy demand with 750 megatons of coal being used in that year.3 This figure would double following the second industrial boom during the Second World War.4 Crude oil became extremely valuable, so much so that securing oil resources became a key objective for both the Axis and Allies. Following World War Two, many reemerging economies became dependent on rebuilding essential infrastructure. At this point, many Western countries began transitioning to a less coal-dependent energy structure, due to the fact that oil produces more joules per unit mass than coal. Many oil exporting countries soon realized this and formed a collective called the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with the primary founder states including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Venezuela. Membership would soon extend to 14 member countries controlling 73% of the world’s known oil reserves.5 After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, many Arab states who opposed US intervention decided to place an embargo on many countries in the West. The 1973 oil crisis demonstrated how reliant the energy market was on oil. To many, it was not only to find new sources for oil domestically, but to invest in renewable energy resources.6 The 1980s would be marked in growing opposition and awareness of global climate change from fossil-fuel burning. By 1988, the UN set up the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) officially recognizing the risks posed by anthropogenic contribution to the Greenhouse Effect. Contrary to the recommendations posed by the UN, many bodies refused to meet these targets citing the negative economic impact of transitioning to renewable sources. The Kyoto Protocol of 1992 established the first international precedent for specifically capping carbon dioxide emissions. 192 parties ratify the convention in 1997 with the notable exceptions of the US, Canada, and 2 Enzler, S. M. "Water Treatment Solutions." History of the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming. Lenntech, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016 2"Peak People: The Interrelationship between Population Growth and Energy Resources," Resilience.org, 2009, , accessed December 27, 2016, 4 http://www.resilience.org/stories/2009-04-20/peak-people-interrelationship-between-population- growth-and-energy-resources 5 "Crude Oil Proved Reserves, 2015". US Energy Information Administration. 6 Ammann, Daniel (2009). The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich. 2 Russia.7 As of 2014, there are estimates that upwards of 7500 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with Japan, Russia, India, the United States, and China being the largest producers respectively8. The most recent development in field of non-renewable energy is the use of natural gas. Natural gas has been around as long as petroleum, but has seen far less use until recently. Although a less efficient fuel, syn-fuels with derivatives from natural gas have seen increasing use along with the added benefit of less pollution. One of the most efficient ways to extract natural gas is by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) or horizontal drilling. With an increase in technology to access these natural gas pockets, it opens up new avenues for energy. The natural gas boom in the US has steadily declined, but in other countries like Russia and Argentina, small scale shale fracking has locally revitalized economies.9 Currently, only the US, Canada, and China produce enough natural gas on a commercial scale. For non-renewable energy sources it is vital to remember that it is not just an environmental problem, but a humanitarian and economic one as well. Any substantial changes in cutting carbon dioxide emissions will come at the price of standard of living and the well-being of developing nations. On Renewable Energy Sources The history of renewable energy has a much briefer history in modern energy structures compared to fossil fuels. Early wind and water powered machinery in the form of water mills saw niche uses for agriculture and textiles, but failed to meet the majority of energy demanded. Around the turn of the 20th century, when powering major cities was becoming popular, power companies began searching for alternatives to coal powered plants. Hydroelectric power became the primary alternative source of power, accounting for 40% of energy produced in the United States.10 The first major hydroelectric plant was built in Taipei, Taiwan in 1905, producing around 500 kW11 and similar projects being pioneered by the United States and Canada. Major hydroelectric projects were built in the first half of the 20th century, in countries like Russia, China, and Australia. Hydroelectric power remains the most popular kind of alternative energy currently. 6 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, "Kyoto Protocol," Unfccc.int, , accessed December 27, 2016. 8 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, "GHG Data From UNFCCC," unfccc.int, , accessed December 27, 2016. 8 "What Is Shale Gas and Why Is It Important?," shaletec.org, , accessed December 27, 2016. 10 Bureau of Reclamation, "Hydropower Program," Ubr.gov, , accessed December 27, 2016. 11 "A Brief History of Hydropower," Hydropower.org, , accessed December 27, 2016. 3 For solar and wind power, most of the technology for reliable energy was developed within the last 25 years. Photovoltaic cells have become popular for local residential and commercial use in mid-latitude countries, but most of solar powered energy comes from massive solar heating plants, which focuses light and generates steam and energy. For wind energy, massive wind farms are too becoming popular. Estimates from the last decade say that the amount of turbines present since two decades ago have nearly tripled and have increased their net percentage of energy produced by over 500%.12 The only limitation to this energy source is the expense; both from the investment by private enterprises and by the state itself. With coal and nuclear energies becoming less viable, solar and wind energy became the standard bearer for clean energy. Current Situation The latest environmental agreement was the Paris Agreement at the end of 2015, and the main goal of the Agreement was to make the sure the global temperature does not increase by more than two degrees Celsius by the end of the century. 196 countries were present, but only 109 have ratified it.13 However, this is just the newest addition to the long line of large environmental deals and carbon admission agreements. In order to successfully reach these goals, the cooperating countries will have new flow structure, new technology framework and better capacity framework. This will allow the developing countries to better work with developed countries because their plans are more aligned. More importantly, the nations participating hope that the deal will create more efficient clean energy, stabilize volatile energy prices and create more job growth.14 In order to increase the efficiency, the worldwide capability and growth of green technology along with improving the participating nations’ economies, nations have agreed to research agreements with other countries and private companies. For example, the nations of Brazil, India and South Africa agreed to have a research agreement with each other in 2007 to further understand the capabilities of wind technology.15 Furthermore, the United States made a partnership with OrginOil in 12 Muller, R. Energy for Future Presidents: The Science behind the Headlines. New York: W.W. Norton, 2013. Print. 13 "Status of Ratification." The Paris Agreement. United Nations, n.d.
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