Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7.17.
The Brazilian minister of culture, Juca Ferreira, visits the Yorenka Ãtame
training centre with representatives of the Ashanínka people and local government
officials.
Source:
Pedro França/Ministério da Cultura do Brasil.
Sustainablemanagementofourplanet'sresourcesrequiresthatwerecogniseecosystems
as the basic units that we have to be able to live within. In order for the ecosystem approach
to succeed, new types of collaboration and partnership will be necessary - between civil
7.11 The New Energy Experience: From NIMBY to YIMBY
Renewable energy is technically capable of meeting the energy needs of the human race.
The limits are set not by technology, but by economic, environmental, political, and social
constraints. Of these, the economic and social constraints are the most potent. Since most
renewable technologies arenotyetcost competitive with conventional energysources, they
will need subsidies to encourage their deployment until they reach grid parity. These are
already in place in several countries. Moreover, technological improvement and economies
of scale will continue to reduce unit costs. Finally, if measures to internalise the pollution
costsofconventionalfuels-suchasacarbontax-areimplementedasplanned,theplaying
field between conventional and alternative energy will level and eventually tip in favour of
cleaner energy.
The social barriers to renewables are less tangible but represent perhaps the most
important key to unlocking this vast natural resource. Though most people feel vaguely
