Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fukushima disaster in Japan, caused by a massive earthquake and tsunami, has
dampened down enthusiasm for nuclear. Radiation levels have been eighteen times
higher than anticipated and decommission will take up to forty years and cost tens
of billions of dollars (McCurry, 2013). In 2012, Germany decided to close down
its existing nuclear power plants and invest more heavily in clean fossil fuel
technologies and renewables. Germany is a global leader in solar energy and has
been instrumental in stimulating the solar industries in China. For countries such as
Denmark, a 100 per cent renewable energy strategy is certainly feasible (Lund, 2007)
but, given the global scale of the energy issues we face, there needs to be a range
of options facilitated by international cooperation, research and development. Jeong
et al
. make the following recommendations in order to increase energy sustainability:
For countries with mature nuclear technologies it will be advantageous to deploy
fast reactor systems and complete a closed fuel cycle.
Governments and society need to support and promote energy efficient
technologies and energy conservation.
International organizations need to prepare plans that actively encourage
collaboration and transfer of renewable energy technologies including those
relating to carbon sequestration.
(2010: 1968)
Summary
This chapter has explored how values may and often do inform the dialogue,
discussion and debates around both sustainability (the goal) and sustainable
development (the process). Each position, or worldview, discussed, whether deep or
shallow ecology, traditional ecological knowledge, eco-feminism, social ecology, Gaia
theory or ecological modernization, has within it different shades of opinion and
emphases. Each worldview is not cut off from any other, for in practice people share
ideas or values, holding many in common without perhaps fully realizing it. In many
ways, all the worldviews have something to offer to the student and practitioner of
sustainable development, although this is not to say that each worldview is equally
valid. There will be conflicts and contradictions too for sustainability and sustainable
development are inherently complex, sometimes inviting rather eclectic formulations
and suggestions. Given this, it is probably wise to retain an open mind, a critical
and questioning attitude, and a belief in, and respect for, the intrinsic value of a
democratic frame of mind.
Thinking questions
1
How do politics and values inform policy choices, such as those relating to
energy?
2
To what extent must sustainable development necessarily involve major cultural
changes? What do you think they might be and how might they come about?
3
To what extent is dialogue the most appropriate way to promote sustainable
development?
4
How might bioregionalism, deep ecology or the fundamental values of TEK
influence either current Western business models or urban planning processes?
