Alternative energy
A solar panel is one way of helping curb climate change.
Why does it makes good sense?
Although developing countries are not the main polluter nor have they been the main cause of climate change, their contribution to atmospheric carbon will increase as these nations industrialize and develop.
We have witnessed how China has become the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases in just a few years of industrialization. If we are to minimize climate change, we must not repeat the same mistakes that the first-world countries made in the past.
Using renewable resources to generate energy can help reduce the impacts of climate change, while allowing nations to reach their development goals, and at the same time help increase income to communities, create jobs and enhance the quality of lives of the people.
Even with the best case scenario, that all countries in the Mekong region are using cleaner and sustainable sources of energy, people will still have to live in a warming world.
Therefore addressing and identifying impacts of climate change, especially those that are closely related to the way people are living, will help in understanding the issue and lead to adaptation to impacts of climate change.
Alternative energy solutions could also help protect the Mekong River.
It is possible for a country to develop prosperously with green low-carbon economies. Energy production is the first step towards achieving this. Switching from coal to cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, biomass, and sustainable, small scale hydropower will allow countries to meet their increased requirements without contributing to global warming. These resources are plenty in the region, but have yet to be explored.
Using renewable resources to generate energy can help reduce the impacts of climate change, while allowing nations to reach their development goals, and at the same time help increase income to communities, create jobs and enhance the quality of lives of the people.
Responding to a warming world
Even with the best case scenario, that all countries in the Mekong region are using cleaner and sustainable sources of energy, people will still have to live in a warming world.
Therefore addressing and identifying impacts of climate change, especially those that are closely related to the way people are living, will help in understanding the issue and lead to adaptation to impacts of climate change.
Alternative energy solutions could also help protect the Mekong River.
