Title:
CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY SOURCES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY and the numbers that govern them

Authors:
Saatvik Swarup

Abstract:
Green development is easier conceived than done. While ideas, technologies, and motivations exist to move away from extensive use of carbon-based fuels, it is imperative that we look into the actual viability of our policies, availability of green energy sources and sustainable materials, and individual human motivations that govern our behavior. There is a pattern of disproportionate per capita energy consumption of conventional energy resources by the West; the need for developed economies to voluntarily cut down their CO2 emissions to prevent further rising of global temperature is substantiated by data and is the imminent need of the hour. This paper establishes a statistical correlation between the energy consumption data across different countries and environmental policies and practices and further evaluates how excessive dependency on fossil fuels can help address climate change. An argument for renewable energy resources and zero emission energy alternatives, such as nuclear energy, through technological innovations is made with statistical backing. I also explore the potential of encouraging innovations in sustainable materials and the role of individual action to build a greener future.

Keywords:
Fossil fuels, climate change, green policies, sustainability.

DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.37500/IJESSR.2021.4415