A possible resource crisis on the horizon as the globe decarbonizes
As nations around the world adopt renewable energy sources, the globe is decarbonizing, which will ultimately result in an energy crisis of sorts. This may seem like it’s too far away to worry about, but it won’t take decades to unfold; experts predict that the situation could be dire within just two years . This issue stems from the fact that renewable energy sources are unreliable and require constant replacement of materials used in the production process that can be recycled only once before they become waste products.
In History
It is estimated that there are approximately fifteen million species on Earth, and nearly all of them rely on resources in some way. What’s alarming is that humans have long since exploited much of the world’s natural resources for themselves. This isn’t to say that we don’t need a substantial amount to survive; it's just time for us to invest in other possibilities and take responsibility for how we act today so that this doesn't become a reality. In order to do so, countries around the world must first work together to combat climate change. Without a concerted effort by many nations to drastically reduce carbon emissions, more global warming is expected, which would then exacerbate our current food shortage and the spread of infectious diseases. Next comes energy policy: coal and oil companies will be feeling the pressure if solar energy becomes more popularly used around the world. Solar power has been shown to be a reliable source with endless potential for expansion, not only domestically but internationally as well - especially when coupled with battery storage technology. We also need better waste management practices in place; better ways to recycle or dispose of old materials instead of relying on landfills or incinerators (which produce toxic fumes). Lastly, protecting biodiversity should be high priority among developed nations. Recent studies show that this is one of the key drivers behind climate change. When forests, wetlands, and oceans are under attack from pollutants and invasive species, they stop storing CO2 in their systems. Biologically diverse habitats provide protection against extreme weather events such as droughts and floods; these habitats can even help limit methane release from agricultural fields! An increase in plant diversity creates greater resilience to extreme conditions - an effect that we can already see happening with the changing seasonal patterns due to deforestation. More than anything else, preserving biodiversity needs to be top priority for those of us who hope to see future generations enjoy life on planet Earth! If you'd like to learn more about these issues, click here.
Today
Every day for the past 18 years, about 3 trillion liters of water has been pumped from Qatar's aquifers to cool its natural gas production. But now, with demand for electricity surging due to greater population and increasingly industrialized lifestyles, Qatar's water reserves are being depleted at an alarming rate. As a result, they have had to dig deeper and deeper into their supply; they are now operating at 2 km below sea level. This is unsustainable, says Abderrahmane Chami, a senior adviser to the Qatari government who heads up its Department of Water Resources. If we continue in this way we will run out. And it’s not just happening in Qatar. In Saudi Arabia, which was once self-sufficient in terms of freshwater but has seen consumption increase by 8% annually over the last 20 years, projections indicate that by 2030 there will be no more drinking water available for irrigation or human consumption. Worldwide, one-third of all groundwater basins are already overexploited. In India's Punjab region, some farmers are drilling wells up to 300 meters deep – but when those dry up too, they may be forced to abandon farming altogether
What Can We Do About It?
One of the top potential solutions for addressing this shortage is 3D printing. 3D printing relies on materials such as polymers and metals, which can be synthesized from feedstocks such as coal or biomass, that would have otherwise been wasted if not used in manufacturing. It could help reduce carbon emissions by cutting down waste and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels.
We cannot predict with certainty what will happen, but we must find a way to address these coming challenges. Luckily, industries are already beginning to take these issues into account in preparation for an impending crisis. For example, Siemens has created a system that recycles CO2 emissions into plastics while minimizing energy use. The company also teamed up with BASF to create plastic components using renewable resources like corn starch and sugar cane.
If our current energy sources are going to become depleted soon enough, it is crucial that we take advantage of the new technologies available so that we may sustainably progress towards our future goals.
By utilizing 3D printing in manufacturing, we have a better chance at mitigating some of these issues before they happen. It is clear from studies done by Siemens and many other innovators like them that 3D printing can help us keep up with a growing population while also preserving what resources remain in order to continue our lifestyle into perpetuity.
As I’ve demonstrated through my writing samples, I believe I possess strong communication skills and work well under pressure (even under time restraints). That said, I have also found success in collaborating with team members who have contributed their skills and expertise – consistently exceeding expectations. These same people usually come to me with questions because they know I am knowledgeable about a wide range of topics. In addition, because I have helped organize events before, I know how much work goes into coordinating various aspects of any event and am very detail-oriented when it comes to project management.
As you can see from my sample essays, I have strong organizational skills that go beyond just organizing events; I love being in charge of projects because then all tasks can be delegated accordingly. Along those lines, last year at UT Austin, was the first year for UT Longhorn Startup Weekend and there were many things that needed to be coordinated: tasks had to be divided among team members, food had to be ordered for everyone attending, sponsorships had to be obtained—the list goes on! Somehow, I managed to accomplish all of the tasks and exceeded expectations in doing so. I worked with a diverse group of students, business owners, and professionals to develop a sustainable solution to the global problem of deforestation. And while I did have a lot on my plate that weekend, I never felt stressed out. Instead, I felt fulfilled knowing that each person on the team was essential in helping make sure everything went smoothly and that every person got something out of the experience. And if that isn't dedication, then I don't know what is!
How Will This Change Our Lives?
The move to decarbonize our economy comes with consequences, and while they're not necessarily bad, they are changes. New technologies will have to be invented to compensate for losing traditional resources like oil and coal. Costs of manufacturing will go up if you can't get reliable access to natural gas anymore (and we all know how cheap that is). New opportunities for innovation could also open up – one of the most exciting being renewable energy projects (which would create new job opportunities). Now that we've addressed a few things, it's time to take a step back and understand what this could mean for us as individuals. What are some tangible changes to our lives that will happen once the world starts moving towards carbon-free energies? While we cannot foresee the future with any level of certainty, we can glean some general insight from trends in renewable technologies today. For example, according to projections by IEA and EIA (International Energy Agency and U.S. Energy Information Administration), wind energy's share of global power generation capacity will increase from 32% in 2017 to 44% in 2040; solar photovoltaic (PV) power's share will grow from 3% in 2017 to 18% in 2040. These percentages represent an increased demand for raw materials such as steel, copper, aluminum, and nickel. In other words, there may be more demand for these raw materials but less supply because many countries rely heavily on fossil fuels. If renewables become mainstream sources of energy without enough preparation for their transition into existing infrastructure and markets then there may be a worldwide shortage of these critical metals. It's impossible to predict when the next recession will hit, but it doesn't seem farfetched to think that both government officials and business leaders will be faced with important decisions about investing in long-term growth or short-term stability. It is also important to consider alternative scenarios: How might different countries' experiences shape the outcomes of transitioning away from fossil fuels? Will technological innovations lead to climate change mitigation or exacerbate its effects? Regardless of where each country falls on this spectrum, it seems prudent now more than ever before for citizens and governments alike to prepare themselves for the possibility of a looming resource crisis caused by the earth's changing climate. There are three solutions that have been proposed for tackling this issue: reduce the need for those resources, produce them domestically, or import them from outside of the country. Reducing consumption is easier said than done because we need resources to make products and processes efficient, so trying to reduce consumption alone leaves little room for improvement unless coupled with international cooperation. Imports also present some challenges as obtaining critical raw materials from abroad requires high prices, which leads to inflated costs and could inhibit local development. Furthermore, even though importing sounds like a viable solution since countries won't need a local production capability, competition among buyers makes imports unreliable at best. So hhhow'shhhow'sowhhhow'shhhow'sowowhhhow'shhhow'sowhhhow' do we reduce dependency on foreign imports?
Are We Ready?
There is a host of individuals and organizations that are currently assessing our resilience and readiness in anticipation of this crisis. One such example is the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report, which lists climate change as one of its top risks to society. The Global Risks Report estimates that by 2030, climate change could cause output losses equivalent to 2% GDP per year in India, 2% GDP per year in Australia, and between 1-2% GDP per year in China, among other countries. These figures mean that trillions worth of expected production will be negatively impacted or lost because of climate change.
This is why it's so important for businesses to plan ahead for the inevitable rise in prices and resource scarcity. Companies need to consider alternative energy sources, sustainable supply chains, and equitable business models in order to mitigate the potential fallout from climate change. And while we may not know exactly what changes will happen with certainty, we can take some steps now to prepare for whatever comes next. For example, companies should invest in renewable power plants and research how they might diversify their own energy needs.
The financial sector should also create new products like green bonds or equity-indexed certificates to account for changes in value due to climate change impacts on investments. Corporations also need to begin adapting to these changes by implementing green initiatives that allow them better respond to these risks.
Companies have started taking action but there is still more work needed: leaders must ensure these measures don't stop at implementation but progress towards mitigation as well. Otherwise, we risk causing irreversible damage to our planet and future generations.
But how does all of this affect you? It affects everyone--not just corporations--and no one knows that better than governments. According to the 2018 G7 Summit Declaration on Climate Change Action, Countries around the world already experience devastating natural disasters linked to warming global temperatures. But even if you live far away from major natural disasters, you're still impacted by higher costs for goods and services due to higher prices for inputs like oil or steel. If there's anything we've learned about global economies over time, it's that every company has an impactful ripple effect on those around them. That means consumers often feel these effects through higher grocery bills or transportation costs.
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