Controversial arguments have been raised by different experts in various fields about the best way to deal with the climate emergency. To address the debate, governments have come up with unions and treaties such as the Paris Agreement, United Nations Convention among others. The subject of establishment of the green economy seems to take center stage in the debates. Experts in various fields such as environmental and economics have contributed significantly for or against the proposal. I derived my research question from these arguments.
Research Question
How sustainable is the operation of the green economy?
Henderson, David R. “Going Dark: Rolling Electrical Blackouts Don’t just Happen. They Result from Unwise Commitments to Solar and Wind Power.” Hoover Digest, no. 1, 2021, p. 150+.
Henderson notes the consistency is power blackouts in the state of California that seem to be a planned event (150). The article reveals that the state has a policy to reduce the use of fossil fuel as sources of energy and increase the use of energy from renewable sources up to 33%. However, the three major sources of renewable energy have major drawbacks, which limit their usage. Solar energy can only be reliable during daytime and most efficiently during sunny days. Windmill power energy cannot be controlled, and hydropower has a risk of shortage during drought.
This article is a useful contribution to my study as it provides an opposing argument to the sustainability of the green economy. The author lays down economic viability and unreliability of the renewable sources of energy that could hinder the full implementation of the proposal.
Kalmus, Peter. “Quitting Fossil Fuels Will Help Avert Climate Disasters.” Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2021.
In his article, Kalmus provides a glimpse of his personal life when focusing on living a carbon-free life, for instance, riding a bicycle instead of a car, taking vegetables, and avoiding travel by plane. Kalmus warns of the disaster that may occur as a result of climate degradation if people do not act swiftly towards change.
Kalmus’ article is critical in my research as it provides an answer to whether lifestyle in a green economy is sustainable. The author provides a highlight of his new lifestyle when focusing on reduction of carbon emission as a proof of sustainability.
Lomborg, Bjorn. “Green Power: The World won’t Recycle its Way Out of Climate Change. We need New and Affordable Sources of Energy.” Hoover Digest, no. 1, 2021, p. 73+.
Lomborg notes that the world has faced a drastic reduction of carbon concentration in the atmosphere during the Covid-19 pandemic caused by a reduction in activities such as traveling and production (73). The concentration of carbon is expected to reduce by 8% to the levels experienced ten years ago. Lomborg argues that the world must be willing to pay a price to reduce carbon emission (73).
This article will be a significant contribution to my study as the author outlines the cost associated with adoption of the green economy. In addition, he identifies everyday activities that human beings need to do to achieve climate change. The article shows what people must do to make the green economy sustainable.
Polychroniou, C. J. A Green New Deal Is Our Best Chance to Solve the Climate Crisis.” Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2021.
Polychroniou argues that adoption of the new Green deal to address climate change is the most effective method of coping with the climate crisis He argues that the green economy will give rise to economic equality, new job opportunities, and economic growth. To fully make the transition to the green economy, the government must spend an average of $4.5trillion every year from 2024 to 2050.
This article is useful to my research as the author outlines various factors that could make the actualization of the green economy sustainable. He concentrates on the financial sustainability of the proposal and the advantages attached to its implementation.
Scott, Melissa, et al. “Improving Human Health in China through Alternative Energy.” Frontiers in Public Health, 2021, p. NA.
In this article, Scott et al. argue that introduction of a green economy in China would help improve human health and reduce the cost spent in health care services. The authors believe that a green economy will reduce 17,137 to 24,220 premature deaths and 8693 to 9281 deaths could be prevented. China can free up an average of $9.4 billion used in health care services annually if coal energy was replaced with other renewable sources of energy.
The above article provides an insight of how the green economy would be beneficial upon implementation. Hence, it is an important contribution to my study as it provides the economic analysis attached to the health benefits that arise from the use of renewable sources of energy.