The Issues of an Energy-Producing Region

Every country needs energy to support its development and activities. However, it can be difficult to meet the energy needs of the population and industry, especially as energy demand tends to increase. Various solutions must therefore be put in place.

Energy demand is increasing almost everywhere in the world. The main reason for this increase is that the world's population and economy are growing. In other words, this means that there are more people and industries on the planet, and therefore greater energy requirements.

Energy consumption per capita is uneven from country to country. Generally speaking, developed countries consume more energy. Rapidly developing countries are also seeing their energy consumption rise rapidly. This is the case, for example, in India and China.

It can be difficult for a country to produce enough energy to meet the energy needs of its territory.

In some cases, the difficulty stems from the fact that the country has few energy resources on its territory. In these cases, energy sources have to be imported from other countries, or other means of producing sufficient energy have to be found.

In other cases, energy resources are present in a territory, but the country lacks the infrastructure to exploit, transform and transport them.

Generally speaking, there are 2 solutions to energy needs:

• reduce personal and industrial energy consumption

• increase energy production

When a country cannot meet its own energy needs, it can import energy from other countries. This can be in the form of fuel or electricity.
 

Reducing Energy Consumption

Several measures can be put in place to encourage reduction in energy consumption. Some are aimed at individuals, others are more industry-oriented. In all cases, the aim is to achieve the necessary activities using as little energy as possible.

Increasing Energy Production

To meet energy needs, it is also possible to increase energy production. However, increasing energy production has negative impacts on the environment when it is created from non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels. These types of energy produce huge quantities of greenhouse gases.

Renewable energies are therefore an attractive option for meeting energy needs while avoiding negative environmental impacts.

Over 80% of the energy consumed worldwide comes from fossil fuels^[7]. One consequence of the exploitation and use of fossil fuels is the emission of large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The GHGs emitted by human activities are mainly carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere.

The exploitation of fossil fuels generates 75% of global GHG emissions and around 90% of CO₂ emissions^[7].

Since the period of industrialization, human activities have greatly increased greenhouse gas emissions, contributing in large part to global warming.

To measure global warming, the annual global mean temperature is measured and compared to the average temperature of the pre-industrial period (1850-1900). In 2022, the global average temperature was 1.15°C higher than the average for the pre-industrial period.

The decade from 2011 to 2020 was the hottest on record. The higher temperatures caused by global warming cause several consequences, such as:

• an increase in heatwave days

• intense droughts

• forest fires

• flooding

• ocean warming

• melting of the ice caps (glacier)

• more frequent and more intense cyclones and hurricanes

These consequences for the climate have a direct impact on ecosystems and human populations.

• They lead to the disappearance of species and thus a decline in biodiversity.

• They worsen the shortage of drinking water.

• They increase the impact of natural disasters (more human losses and material damage).

• They reduce agricultural yields.

• They increase hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

• They increase the spread of disease.

• They increase population displacement.

• They increase the number of deaths.

The Paris Agreement to Limit Global Warming

The main goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to 2°C, since scientists believe that a rise greater than this would have disastrous consequences for the Earth's climate. It would also have major effects on health, and could cause millions of deaths.

The Agreement stresses the importance of limiting the rise in global average temperature to 1.5°C, which would prevent some of the effects of global warming and maintain a sustainable climate.

In addition to greenhouse gases, fossil fuels are also responsible for air pollution through the emission of fine particles.

These microparticles, known as PM_2.5, have been classified as carcinogenic by the UN. These micropollutants penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, and can cause respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Around 9 out of 10 people worldwide are exposed to these microparticles^[10].

This pollution shortens average life expectancy by 2 years^[11]. Some regions of the world are more affected than others. Asia is the continent where the population is most affected since its life expectancy is reduced by more than 4 years as opposed to 8 months in Europe.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 7 million people die every year because of air pollution^[12]. In 2018, air pollution from fossil fuels caused more than 8 million premature deaths. This represents 20% of adult deaths worldwide^[12]. Half of these deaths are in India and China.

The WHO also published a report in 2018 stating that 93% of all children on the planet are exposed to air pollution every day^[13]. For 1.8 billion of these children, the air they breathe is so polluted that it threatens their health and development. Among other things, polluted air can cause acute respiratory tract infections. According to WHO estimates, this type of infection killed 600 000 children in 2016^[13].

In 1988, the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The IPCC's mission is to take stock of the situation regarding the evolution of global warming, its impacts and possible solutions. Every 5 to 8 years, the IPCC produces an assessment report on the issue, bringing together all climate-related scientific research and publications.

In its sixth assessment report, published in 2021-2022, the IPCC predicts that the 1.5°C increase limit defined in the Paris Agreement could be reached as quickly as 2025. However, according to the IPCC, there is sufficient global knowledge, technology and capital to reduce the effects of climate warming. The report puts forward several solutions. It also demonstrates that the costs required for climate protection would be less significant than the costs related to the effects of global warming. Moreover, many measures to reduce the effects of global warming would also be beneficial at other levels, such as reducing inequality and hunger in the world, improvements in population health, etc.

The main solution in order to counter and reduce the consequences of global warming is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and radically.

Moving From Non-Renewable to Renewable Energies

Since fossil fuels generate the majority of greenhouse gases, the first thing to do is to end the exploitation of these non-renewable energies as quickly as possible and, instead, turn to renewable energies. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, emit little or no greenhouse gases or air pollutants. Turning to them to meet the planet's energy needs would radically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to IPCC studies, the massive development of renewable energies is a necessary element in achieving climate-related goals.

Technological advances in recent years have made it possible to significantly reduce the costs of renewable energies. Between 2010 and 2019, wind energy costs fell by 55%, while solar energy costs dropped by 85%[^17]. This makes these types of energy much more accessible to all countries.

Protecting and Restoring Forests

Forests are often referred to as the lungs of the planet. They help reduce global warming by capturing and storing significant quantities of CO₂, one of the main components of greenhouse gases. Restoring forests and natural environments is possible by protecting these environments. Stopping deforestation and planting trees are other possible solutions. This could go a long way towards meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Changing Our Lifestyles

The IPCC report also indicates that greenhouse gas emissions could be significantly reduced through adjustments to the lifestyles of the world's populations.
One major adjustment is to reduce our consumption. This can be done by:

• reducing food waste

• reducing meat consumption

• buying used goods

• shopping in thrift stores

These gestures may seem small on an individual level, but on a global scale they can have a major positive impact.

Governments and authorities also need to get involved in order to:

• improve city planning to encourage walking and cycling

• invest in a more efficient public transport network

• encourage local economies to reduce the transportation of goods 

Adapting to Better Cope With the Consequences of Global Warming

Even if various solutions are put in place, the consequences of global warming are already being felt and are likely to worsen in the coming years. Governments and populations alike must adapt to cope with these changes. These adaptations can take different forms, such as:

• diversifying agricultural crops to better cope with drought

• adding vegetation to cities to cope with heat waves

• adjusting building standards in coastal regions to be better prepared for flooding

• solidifying roads, bridges and other infrastructure so that they are better adapted to more violent storms

Some populations will have to be displaced, where adaptation is not possible. For example, this is the case for certain islands that will eventually be entirely inundated by rising oceans.

Often, the most vulnerable people are those who don't have the means to adapt. This is the case for certain populations in developing countries. Some of these populations are already struggling to access basic services such as health, education and food aid. At the Paris Agreement, developed countries pledged to give $100 billion each year in international funding towards the global fight against climate change.

Global warming is accentuating inequalities around the world. Developing countries are not equally affected by the effects of global warming. These countries are often less well prepared and lack the infrastructure needed to cope with the various consequences. The poorest populations are the most vulnerable. If nothing is done to limit the impacts of global warming, nearly 100 million people could find themselves in extreme poverty by 2030^[19].

Populations in developing countries are also 5 times more at risk of being displaced after a natural disaster^[18]. Between 2010 and 2019, an average of 23.1 million people were displaced each year due to natural phenomena. The majority of them come from developing countries^[19].

More people in developing countries live on subsistence farming. Global warming could result in  lower agricultural yields, putting these populations at a much higher risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. By 2021, 2.3 billion people worldwide were moderately or severely food insecure^[20]. Global warming could increase the number of hungry people by 10-20% by 2050^[19].

All of these factors also contribute to intensifying instability in several regions, increasing the risk of conflict.

Population displacement is one of the biggest issues due to the development of hydroelectric stations. In Quebec, the construction of hydroelectric dams has caused tension between the provincial and federal governments and the Cree, Inuit, and Naskapi communities. In 1971, the provincial government announced the James Bay projects. This created conflict with representatives of the Cree and Inuit communities since they had not been consulted on these projects. The conflict ended in 1975 with the signing of the James Bay and North America Agreement.

Pollution is another problem that affects Indigenous populations living near energy territories. The exploitation of oil sands is a serious concern since it contaminates not only the territory, but also wildlife. As a result, Indigenous populations can no longer hunt because the meat from the animals contains toxic quantities of arsenic. Similarly, the flooding of land caused by hydroelectric projects produces high levels of neurotoxins, like mercury, that contaminate water, soil and animals.

The increase in pollution raises concerns about its impact on the health of Indigenous populations. Residents of the Fort Chipewyan Indigenous community have noted an increase in cancer among community members that is believed to be linked to the exploitation of oil sands ^[22].

The impact of exploiting these energy resources goes beyond environmental and health issues. It also has major repercussions on the lifestyle and culture of Indigenous populations. Displacement and pollution affect ancestral practices such as hunting, fishing and gathering.

In recent years, the federal and provincial governments have had to be more respectful of Indigenous rights in Canada. This is due to sustained negotiations and ongoing protests by the various Indigenous groups and communities to have their rights recognized. For example, in 2002, the Paix des Braves promised to include Indigenous peoples in decision-making and to respect the ancestral rights of northern Indigenous communities when building hydroelectric facilities. Hydro-Québec made the same promise in 2019.

To access the rest of the unit, please consult the following concept sheets.