Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
as waste byproducts. Clearly, the diversity of technical options in alterna-
tive energy allows developing countries to match strategic energy mixes
with national conditions.
1.5.4 Social Considerations
In developing countries, abatement of climate change is just one beneit asso-
ciated with a transition away from fossil fuel energy. Economic growth super-
sedes environmental governance in most developing countries. Consequently,
lax environmental regulations governing electricity generation and transpor-
tation emissions give rise to signiicant environmental and social problems.
To put this into perspective, according to a 2007 World Health Organization
(WHO) report, air pollution was responsible for diseases that cause over
650,000 pre-mature deaths in China each year and over 2Â million prema-
ture deaths worldwide.
75
Air pollution is now the leading cause of death in
China.
76
Similarly, in India air pollution accounts for 527,000 fatalities each
year. When compared to the number of fatalities related to air pollution in the
United States each year (approx. 41,400), one begins to understand the scale
and scope of the damage that pollutive forms of energy cause. If a transition
to cleaner forms of energy could be facilitated in an economically efective
manner, citizens in developing countries such as China could enjoy the ben-
eits of enhanced aluence without also having to sufer the negative exter-
nalities associated with economic growth.
1.5.5 The Need for Speed
Previously, an argument was put forth that industrialized nations, which
embrace more proactive policies for expediting a transition to alternative
energy, can nurture the development of internationally competitive, domes-
tic alternative energy forms. A similar case for expedience applies in devel-
oping nations. he China case study presented in this topic provides a good
illustration of how government support for alternative energy in develop-
ing nations can also sire domestic alternative energy irms that are capable
of competing successfully internationally. Due to China`s aggressive wind
power expansion program, four of the world`s ten largest wind power irms
in 2010 were Chinese irms—Sinovel (second-largest), Goldwind (fourth),
Dongfang (seventh), and United Power (tenth) (see Table 1.3).
here is another beneit to proactive alternative energy development
policies that applies solely to developing nations. Currently there are a
