Pakistan is facing a huge and growing energy crisis, a daily reminder of which are the multiple instances of load-shedding each day all over Pakistan. The crisis, of course, needs long-term energy generation solutions. But it also needs immediate energy conservation.
The 20th century was marked by rapid growth and an increase in prosperity throughout the world. But the past pales in comparison to the pace at which the 21st century is advancing. Populations are increasing, economies are developing, and the world is consuming energy faster than ever before. By 2020, some experts predict the world’s energy consumption will be 40% higher than it is today.
The challenge is to provide the clean, affordable energy necessary for rapid economic growth and rising living standards in emerging economies, while also fulfilling demand in the world’s more developed economies. This will require a combination of increasing conservation, expanding and diversifying our energy supply, and improving energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency and conservation will continue to play an important role in slowing the growth in our energy demand. It is in the interests of all stakeholders-energy producers, industrial users, governments and consumers-to make the energy sources; we have to go as far as they can go.
One of the most critical environmental challenges facing the world today is reducing long-term growth in carbon emissions. The use of fossil fuels to meet the world’s energy needs has contributed to an increase in carbon emissions-mainly carbon dioxide and methane-in the earth’s atmosphere.
In Karachi, our consumption of energy has grown dramatically over the years. While our growth and development is something we can all be proud of, we should also be aware that this massive growth – in population, infrastructure and construction – has consequences. In our extremely hot.
