Question of Possible Creation of a Global Energy Agency to Resolve the Energy Crisis

In this section of the forum, delegates may ask any question and post information about this topic. Along with my co-chairs, I will be answering questions, posting articles, sources, and other useful information.

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Hello delegates,

This is probably one of the most important issues that are going to be dealt with in this council. Regarding this topic, we will be trying to find a coherent and plausible solution to this problem. Furthermore, remember that this topic also involves nuclear power, however, not only that. The delegates should discuss the possibility of the formation a global energy agency and to mention alternative, sustainable, and renewable resources as a possible solution to this crisis.

I would recommend the use of this site: http://unep.org/ . It gives a very clear understanding of the magnitude of the problem in addition to interesting insights that I am confident that will help you define your positions and have ideas for reasonable solutions.

Regards,
Felipe

Aware of the rapid increase in the use of fossil fuels in the twentieth century, mainly because the advent of the automobile, airplanes and the spreading use of electricity. Oil became the dominant fuel during the twentieth century. Coal, which is one of the dirtiest sources of energy, was the fastest growing fossil fuel, and that in 2002 fossil fuels stood for 79.6% and in 2006 stood for 86% of the world’s energy. Increasing the share of renewable energy will not make us any less dependent on fossil fuels as long as total energy consumption keeps rising. Renewable energy sources do not replace coal, oil or gas plants, they only meet (part of) the growing demand. A relevant example is Spain. In spite of the impressive development of wind power, Spain is now 3 times more dependent on fossil fuels for electricity generation than a decade ago. Regardless of the growing share of renewable energy sources, we burn up more and more fossil fuels every year. This is the case in the US, in Europe and on a global scale. Analyzing the situation in Spain and in the Netherlands, because both countries are regarded to be an example for their commitment to renewable energy; moreover, the Netherlands have a negligible share of nuclear energy and hydropower (green according to some, not green according to others), while in Spain these energy sources have remained unchanged over the last decade, which makes the calculations more clear. Due to the notable development of clean energy by the developing and developed world but its inefficiency to replace fossil fuels; the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo strongly calls for the creation of a Global Energy Agency to solve the upcoming Energy Crisis.


Democratic Republic of Congo

The Thing is,

Countries such as the netherlands (the place I was Born) have worked for many years to use alternative energy sources, But these nations that do, can not solve the whole problem, every nation has to come to its sences and see that alternative energy sources, such as wind power, brings just as much energy as other means, if this system is fully and wll installed.

Renewable energy is helping China complete its economic transformation and achieve "energy security". China rapidly has moved along the path of renewable energy development. Therefore, China is proud to say, that it is helping the earth, and will continue to do so, until it's program is purified, and mainly driven to helping what is left of the earth.

The Delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo would like to congratulate the Netherlands for its investments to try do develop alternative energy sources. Countries such as France, Japan, Brazil and China are also heavily investing in renewable energy.

The delegation of China mentioned that individual efforts would not solve the upcoming energy crisis but all countries must cooperate in order to solve the problem. The delegate of the DRC thinks that the delegate it's not taking in account that renewable energy is very expensive and it's not a 100% efficient due to its dependence to wind, sun, etc. Developing countries are not able to spend such high quantities in renewable energy because it would obviously affect their economic growth. Developed countries enjoyed the use of fossil fuels for years, why can't developing countries use them now?

Due to the circumstances the delegation of Democratic Republic of Congo urges all developed countries to take the lead in order to develop renewable energy and it is glad to see that the European Union plan to invest £100 billion in order to help the developing world to develop clean energy. We must also take in consideration that energy is a big issue that also deals with questions such as: proliferation of nuclear energy (especially in Iran and North Korea), climate change, economic crisis, etc.

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Although I agree with what the delegate said, I represent China, and not Japan =/

What the delegate of China ment to say, is that all nations should work towards the renewable energy sources.
For the Continuation of those countries that do, although it is already very helpfull, is not enough to be able to 'save'
the planet. Although some nations refuse to spend the amounts on this program, what these nations should consider,
is that Without a 'healthy' world' there is no reason for nations to be saving money for anything else.


Although the delegation of China agrees that this issue has a simple solution,
the action to make this solution happen, is more difficult. For many nations
refuse to help the planet.

The delegate of China appears to be very gullible and naive if he believes that renewable energy can so easily replace fossil fuels. The money involved in such a transition, as well as the change that this would impose on an entire global culture and lifestye of energy dependency, is far greater than the delegate appears to imagine. Of course all countries should invest on renewable energy resources, however this is a very slow and costly process. If rushed, this would destroy economies all around the globe and countries are not interested in doing that.

Also, the delegate stated that "China rapidly has moved along the path of renewable energy development. Therefore, China is proud to say, that it is helping the earth, and will continue to do so, until it's program is purified, and mainly driven to helping what is left of the earth." I gues the delegate isn't aware that, according to statistics from the World Bank, 16 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are located in China, and an estimate of 400,000 people have died from China's air pollution last year.

In a perfect world China would be so green as the delegate is stating. In reality, however, China, which is a growing superpower suffering from a massive overpopulation, the energy demand is ridiculously high, and fossil fuels cannot be simply abandoned.

the DRC delegate fully agrees wit ht he delegate of Senegal that the fossil fuels can't just be forgotten by every nation, nations like the DRC and Senegal that have as main exports the fossil fuels products can't just abandon all their sacrifice and change it rapidly. But it believe that the developed countries should lead an gradation movement that would be effective. If developed countries give the first step the other countries would need to change, and the assistant of developed countries to underdeveloped countries. This whole "cycle is supposed to work but it has been various discussions in various framework conferences on climate change, this issue involves the globe and the entire economy that may detach with a single change. The DRC is endorses its regard about the issue.

The delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo reiterates its support to the delegation of Senegal and deplores the delegation of China. China as a rising a global power, is engaged in a purposeful, systematic, and centralized global quest for energy , pursued with ruthless determination and utter disregard for the ecological consequences. China burns more coal than the United States, Europe and Japan combined. China was the second biggest greenhouse gas emitter after the United States but research signals that it might now have the lead. China has released new figures showing its crude oil imports soared by nearly 40% in the first five months of the year as the country needs ever more oil to fuel its explosive economic growth. China faces a chronic energy shortage and making the switch from coal-fired plants to cleaner fuel is costly and disruptive. It is the second consecutive summer that factories have faced brownouts or managed power cuts. Residents have been urged to turn off their electricity-guzzling air conditioners despite the sweltering heat. China’s leading cause of death, and ambient air pollution alone is blamed for “hundreds of thousands” of deaths annually, and the delegate of China says, "China is proud of helping the earth, and will continue to do so, until it's program is purified, and mainly driven to helping what is left of the earth"; how can China "save" the world when it is the biggest greenhouse gas emitter . The Chinese National Bureau of Statistics reported that Beijing’s level are above the accepted level by two of the leading gas emitters. The wide use of coal is responsible for the “toxic gray shroud” that pollutes the air in Chinese cities and that poisons water and ultimately humans. China's demand for fossil fuels is increasing dramatically and the DRC does not believe that China's investments in renewalbe energy would be able to attend China`s need for energy. Of course nations should invest in renewable sources of energy in order to replace fossil fuels but this is a transition that requires a lot of time.

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Dear Delegates,

First of all, salutations to those in the ECOSOC Forum.

Second of all, to business.

The delegate of Peru is at a loss for Congo's condemnation of China--he does not understand how the Congolese, close economical partners with the Chinese in ventures including oil and mineral supplying, might criticize it so unilaterally--, yet that should be left for the two nations to discuss between themselves.

As delegates from the DRC have already stated, we know for a fact that an instant switch from fossil to renewable or clean fuels would not only be impractical, but catastrophic (to say the least) if ever implemented. The change must be gradual if it is ever meant to work, and a global energy agency would usher in this progress more smoothly.

Yet, the delegates can see how the problem is (much) bigger than creating an agency to regulate emissions. Energy insufficiency may be involved in energy efficiency rather than resources themselves: China, for example, has huge energy production capabilities (including renewable sources) yet is in desperate need of smart grid technology. Even the efficiency of machines we take for granted to be efficient prove to be the contrary; we must not forget how internal combustion engines use only about 20-25% of energy generated during fuel consumption. The delegate is not discarding the scarcity of resources as a crucial factor; all he is saying is that inefficiency plays a part in the scenario, too.

The crisis reaches humanitarian levels, too. 1.6 billion people, namely a quarter of mankind(!!!), has no access whatsoever to electricity. Furthermore, 2.4 bn have no access to modern fuel. (These are UN figures, by the way.)

Therefore, viewing the problems at hand, Peru would just like to capitalize on the urgency of the creation of a Global Energy Agency. The delegation of Peru has a resolution which, in its opinion, addreses these issues and others in an effective way. As any other resolution it is under constant polishing, yet the delegation will attempt to express its beliefs in further posts. Remeber, delegates, we are aiming for a concrete organization rather than fruitless accusation. Let us discuss more on the tenets of a global energy agency rather than the consequences of this or that country's eneregetic expenditure.

That is all. Pardon for the long post, delegates; we've quite the issue this year.
Peruvian Regards

The delegate of China asks that the delegates of Congo and senegal explain where it got its sources from about China. For in those same sources it should be able to find that the Chinese delegation is in favor of a change.

and also, remind the delegate of congo, that this topic is about Trying to better the situation, the delegate of Congo and Senegal is devoting its time researching negative facts about the Chinese delegation, when in fact the delegation of China HAS JUST SAID that it is in favor of a solution. Congo and Senegal delegates try to refere from trying to strike down other nations, and come with a positive solution, seeing that the delegate has done a lot of research on China, try to make the effort towards a solution...

Knowing that China has a large affect on the world energy sources, it is more than just willing, but it is also pushing towards a positive outcome, their ir no reason for China not to be able to have a positive change in the energy sources it uses. Therefore since the Congo and Senegal delegates are basing its attention to this topic, China waits for the delegates TO MAKE A SOLUTION! Propose something to discuss, for trying to put down china in this topic, will not help the delegates of Congo's and Senegal's relationship with China, a possible solution, Will!

Creating a Global Energy Agency, what would this agency involve?
Who would control the agency?
Why?
How?

Once these questions are answered by the congo delegate, then i will accept criticism against our nation.

“Everything we consume or use—our homes, their contents, our cars and the roads we travel, the clothes we wear, and the food we eat—requires energy to produce and package, to distribute to shops or front doors, to operate, and then to get rid of.”

If China has the biggest population, and this quote is true, then there is a reason for China to have the biggest use of energy...

the delegate of china would only like to remember that china's population is one of the largests in the world, so it is resonable for China to consume so much..... so delegtates, please, instead of criticizing us, propose solutions... concentrate your work on that, please delegates, the UN is there to help the world not to create conflict

Honorable Chinese delegates,
There appears to be some misguided conflict here. First of all, the Senegalese delegation would like to make it clear that it is not simply targeting China and criticizing it for the sake of mayhem, as the delegates seem to think, and neither is the Congolese delegation. Merely, our concern is that the Chinese delegate doesn't appear to understand the context and the reality that is faced by this council and the world. Let me address several quotes individually;

"every nation has to come to its sences and see that alternative energy sources, such as wind power, brings just as much energy as other means, if this system is fully and wll installed."
This is obviously not true. Renewable energy sources do not bring nearly as much energy or security as fossil fuels, mainly because they all depend on some kind of natural phenomenon which cannot be controlled at all times. Otherwise, we wouldn't even have such an energy crisis in our hands considering the solution would be so simple. Besides, fossil fuels aren't used simply for energy, like the Chinese delegate stated;
“Everything we consume or use—our homes, their contents, our cars and the roads we travel, the clothes we wear, and the food we eat—requires energy to produce and package, to distribute to shops or front doors, to operate, and then to get rid of.” Yes, but additionally, many of those products are actuallymade from petroleum. This means that our fossil fuel consumption and dependency is much greater than most people are aware of.

Although yes, it would be great if all nations came to their senses and worked toward this common goal, there are a thousand additional factors to consider, and we would be living a dream if nations made their decisions based entirely on the good health of our planet. It's just not that simple, and there is no use in saying things like;
"Although some nations refuse to spend the amounts on this program, what these nations should consider,
is that Without a 'healthy' world' there is no reason for nations to be saving money for anything else."
Well yes, the delegation of Senegal agrees entirely, but governments need more than just an epiphany in order to stop running their countries and begin global green plans. This kind of foundation might convince people or populations, but never a corporation, let alone a country.

In other words, yes all countries in this council should agree that the common goal for our international community must be to invest in alternative energy sources in order to slowly relinquish the use of fossil fuels. But we must remember that this issue is not just about saving our planet and being nature-friendly; it is about an energy crisis. Fossil fuels are very finite, and if nations don't begin soon to work towards replacing them, in a not-so-distant future they will face serious energy shortages. Therefore, as has already been stated before (repetitively by both the Senegalese and Congolese delegations), the world should urgently begin a gradual, but slow transition into using renewable energy sources. The delegate of Senegal believes that the global community should work together in order accomplish a goal of eliminating, or at least substantially reducing, fossil fuel dependency by a set year in a near future. The idea a Global Energy Agency is not discarded by Senegal; in fact, such an agency would be responsible for setting the aforementioned goal, and ensuring that all countries work towards accomplishing it.



SECOND (that was quite a huge first, eh), the delegate of Senegal would just like to point out that the Chinese delegate has repeatedly asked for other delegations to come up with a solution for this issue, and has even criticized the delegations of Senegal and the DRC for not explicitly stating one (although implicitly an idea was put forth, as described above), and yet the delegate of Senegal is shocked to see that China has not proposed any solution itself. The Chinese delegate has simply stated over and over again that "it is in favor of a solution", but didn't bother to propose one. And not only in the question of the creation of a Global Energy Agency, but also in the question of eradicating world hunger, the delegate has made the same statement that China is in favor of a solution, but didn't bother making one. Nor in any of the other two questions. THEREFORE, considering all of the above, the delegate of Senegal would just like to say that the delegate of China should not be complaining about receiving criticism from other delegations, and also should not criticize them as well.
"China waits for the delegates TO MAKE A SOLUTION! " --- Well why doesn't the delegate make a solution himself instead of waiting for others to do the job? Just keep this in mind before demanding anything from other delegations. The Chinese delegate cannot expect from others something that he or she didn't have the capacity to do on his own.

All right, fellow delegates.

If the diplomatic war will wear on, then the delegate of Peru would like to highlight some of the the objectives that, in the delegation's opinion, a Global Energy Organization could have. Note that these objectives were loosely cut out and assembled by the Peruvian delegate from a myriad of UN orgnaizations and already-existent energy ones (e.g. IEA), and that these are more for the sake of discussion than anything else. (That being, if you disagree, please be so kind as to not pick up a fight with the Peruvian delegation; instead just voice your concern in the forum and see what turns out. Debate should flow more that way )

-Promoting rational energy policies in a global context through co-operative relations with country governments, industry, and international organizations,

-Operating a permanent information system on international energy markets and expenditures,

-Improving the world’s energy supply and demand structure by developing alternative energy sources and increasing the efficiency of energy use,

-Promoting international collaboration on energy technology,

-Assisting in the integration of environmental and energy policies,

-Aiding countries with little or no energy autonomy to develop viable and self-sufficient energy matrixes, and

-Mediating a mixed energy market between nations.

So, what do the delegates think??

The Japanese delegation is in favor of the use of the change from fossil fuels to renewable energies , it knows that the change can't be done as once it has to be done gradually just as the UNHCR Congo delegate mentioned. And the creation of a Global Energy Agency.

The delegation believes that the IRENA should become a branch of the possible Agency. The Japanese delegation has a resolution and he is looking foward to possible mergetions.

Back to the delegate of senegal,

Like stated in the other topic, China is not giving its full atention to this topic, but is very interested in hearing how china, being the largest consumer and user of energy, can improve to create an easier and healthier life for everyone. So, Since the Chinese delegation is sticking to the Stem-cell Reasearch topic, we would like to hear from delegates who have the time to dedicate to this topic.

Talking about the stem cell research topic, the delegate of Senegal, has shown the same act of 'puting down' a nation against Japan... Instead of doing what it has told the Chinese delegate to do, make a solution, try creating one yourself.

But, getting off of this topic of putting down, the energy proposal to use green energy for China could be a possibility, for it has the economic power and technology to do so, but what about the rest of the nations? Those whom can not do so, what will they do to affect the 'Globe'?

Although the delegate of China finds the delegate of Senegal very rude, the delegate of senegal is showing to be a very strong delegate, and China has come to an agreement, that our two delegations could have very good influences on the Caucus.

Quote :

Talking about the stem cell research topic, the delegate of Senegal, has shown the same act of 'puting down' a nation against Japan

...Say what?

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Although the delegate of China finds the delegate of Senegal very rude

I've been called worse...

Quote :

the delegate of senegal is showing to be a very strong delegate, and China has come to an agreement, that our two delegations could have very good influences on the Caucus.

Well, the delegate of Senegal is very flattered, although the delegate of China might be overestimating me a bit.

Quote :

But, getting off of this topic of putting down, the energy proposal to use green energy for China could be a possibility, for it has the economic power and technology to do so, but what about the rest of the nations? Those whom can not do so, what will they do to affect the 'Globe'?

The idea is that by implementing gradual investments into renewable energy, nations can eventually decrease they're dependency on fossil fuels. A global energy agency, or some sector of it, could provide financial assistance or otherwise to those nations not economically prepared for such an investment. Senegal believes that developed countries should take the initiative in this transition, setting the example for less developed countries which would then use the assistance of the GEA. Additionally, considering the fact that developed countries also happen to be the world's greatest consumers and, subsequently, the world's greatest importers of various kinds of industrialized products, and also that a transition from fossil fuel dependency to a balance between the latter and renewable sources would bring about a relative change in the economy of nations as a whole, the delegate of Senegal concludes that those less developed countries would further be encouraged to invest in renewable energy in order to adapt to a hypothetical new economic climate. Of course, the only harmed countries in this theory would be those whose economies depend largely on oil exports (namely the middle-eastern nations).

Senegal is appreciative of China's eagerness and support towards investing in renewable energy sources.

Quote :

The idea is that by implementing gradual investments into renewable energy, nations can eventually decrease they're dependency on fossil fuels. A global energy agency, or some sector of it, could provide financial assistance or otherwise to those nations not economically prepared for such an investment

A myriad of international organizations conduct similar programs of assisting developing countries to acquire self-sufficiency or autonomy in certain issues. As dlegates may be familiar from studying another issue, the World Bank has successfully conducted the HIPC Initiative, using WB money to provide irrevocable aid and unshackling third-world nations from the burden of external debt.

Now, what if a similar initiative was brought into the energy field??? As the delegate has stated before, the energy crisis has humanitarian aspects: A quarter of humanity without electricity and 2.4 bn without access to modern fuel. Just so the delegates become aware, people without access to modern fuels are either set to burn things firewood or manure for their needs -- a threat to both individual health and the environment (besides the latter being, well, plain disgusting).
Besides, a minimal degree of energetic autonomy is crucial for any nation. With energy comes the progress and autonomy that low-income nations need so much.

Now, the delegation of Peru is glad that the Senegalese delegate brought that up because it has quite conveniently established a detailed programme for GEA aid towards countries in its resolution. The delegate is glad that there are others who have had the same foresight as him, and is also happy that the details of the agency itself are being discussed.

Viva la GEA!