Adil Najam
Are we really serious about energy conservation? And, by ‘we’ I mean all of us, not just the government.
The government is making a high profile move on the subject by announcing new policies for energy conservation, better policing of energy abuse, and of new power generation. We have written about energy often (here, here, here, here, here) and our post on solar energy continues to get much attention.
As someone who works in this area, I know that (a) this is the single most important economic leverage available to economic decision makers in Pakistan, and (b) while not easy, this – unlike other pressing issues, like water, for example – is an area where something could actually be done; because technically and even fiscally there is a real set of useful things that are actually doable.
And, yet, I find my self sadly cynical that things will change. Not just because I am still not convinced that this is a priority for the government and decision-makers but also because I know that our media is too interested in the ‘sexy’ stuff of politics to care much about this, and frankly given all we see in our own energy usage (rich or poor) I am not sure if even we consumers are willing to do anything more than crib (specially, since much that needs to be done for conservation needs to be done by us). Sadly, we pay attention only when things go so very bad that people revert to energy violence.
I feel bad about being so cynical. And I sincerely hope that I am wrong.
P.S. On a related note, here is an op-ed I just published on Pakistani environmentalist Dr. Tariq Banuri’s run to be the next United Nations climate change chief.
@Aliya:
//Conservation and new supplies are two different things. //
Exactly. and the deficit is in something of the order of 1000’s of times the amount we can conserve..
//If our habits of how we use energy remain idiotic then no amount of new energy will ever solve anything. //
as I said.. its the new OPIUM ..
what is idiotic is thinking that we are SOLVING the crisis by conservation !!! we’re just conserving .. thats all.. the crisis at present is so humongous it is cutting right at the roots of our economy.. businesses are shutting down.. costs of running are going up..
Previously we got ANGRY at loadshedding.. now we are going to be PROUD of it .. because we are serving the planet !!!
this is fine for residents of DHA’s or Islamabad.. its a good “cause” to run NGO’s for.. and its a great OPIUM in the hands of the Government .. for the rest of the country.. its what DRUGS are supposed to do ..
Conserve energy .. Jahaz ban jao.. u’ll fly !!!
Salman’s point is of, I am sorry to say, is silly. The whole world realizes that no one will ever have enough energy if we continue wasting it the way we do and the cost of the environment also has to factor in.
Conservation and new supplies are two different things. If our habits of how we use energy remain idiotic then no amount of new energy will ever solve anything. This redneck attitude that I will not change my waste and let the govt solve everything will not only mess the country but the entire planet!
Energy conservation is the best OPIUM for us Pakistanis right now..
we can conveniently forget about how bad the supply situation is and instead focus on reducing demand.. and this is what has suddenly started to happen…
No doubt energy has to be conserved, but at present the MEAGER little energy we have left, if even that is “conserved” by shutting down shops at peak time.. and shutting down large industries .. which are only going to CREATE more money in the economy.. we are shooting ourselves in the foot..
for the supply side we are being given only the most EXPENSIVE options like solar and wind energy .. instead of the cheaper ones that are actually viable for our environment and economic capacity.. namely water and coal..
Conserve energy but please DON’T focus on conservation.. it is the supply side that needs to be increased.. the situation is so bad that its almost getting to an IRREVERSIBLE point..
hundreds of factories across Pakistan have shutdown because there is no supply !!! and the deficit has only increased.. and no amount of “conservation” is going to bring back the factories to run.. we will only have to “conserve” energy by shutting down further factories..
Dr. Adil,
I am very interested in hearing your thoughts about your views on how to solve Energy crisis in Pakistan. I work in General Electric Healthcare but our sister company GE Power has all the solutions- Digital Grid, Turbines, Wind Mills etc to help Pakistan and I am sure other companies have solution as well.
Why Pakistan is paralyzed and not able to make any progress on this?
Have you try to influence Pakistani Government to “get this done”?
Do you need some help from grassroots? We can try to mobilize resources in Pakistan/ abroad?
Sorry to be direct..but people like me look towards accomplished people like you to push Government get things done :-)
I was even talking to my circle of influence to convince you to run for office in Pakistan!!!
My pitch is simple..it is our decade and we should be convincing leaders like you to run for office…we can arrange funds and commit ourselves to campaign etc..
http://www.gepower.com/home/index.htm
Love the title. Andhair nagri. It really is becoming that.