NEW ENERGY COULD BE TRILLIONS FOR SE ASIA

For all of Greenpeace's noble efforts (as described in this post), the ASEAN ministers subsequently joined to formally explore the possibilites of nuclear energy. Will we look back someday and see Greenpeace, like Churchill in the 30s, screaming prescient warnings to deaf ears?

Renewable energy can save SE Asia two trln usd in fuel costs – Greenpeace
August 23, 2007 (AFX News Limited/Thomson Financial via Bloomberg)

WHO
Environmental advocates Greenpeace, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) energy ministers

ASEAN (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Greenpeace estimates a shift by ASEAN to renewable energies from fossil fuels will save $80 billion/year and $2 trillion over 23 years, as well as dramatically lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

WHEN
- Greenpeace reported thses calculations August 23, ahead of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting opening the next day.
- The Greenpeace report estimated growth and consumption patterns through 2030.

WHERE
The report was presented in Singapore, where the ASEAN meeting is.

WHY
- Renewable energies mentioned included wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass and biofuels.
- The Greenpeace report offered a global estimate of $180 billion/year in savings and a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030.
- Energy ministers and officials from China, Japan and South Korea met with Greenpeace after the report and said the shift would be difficult because economic growth would drive demand for fossil fuels and encourage interest in nuclear energy.
Greenpeace called for a moratorium on the building of coal-fired power plants, ignore nuclear energy and focus on renewables.
- ASEAN have committed to obtain 10% of electricity from renewables by 2010.

Cause for hope: Some of the countries have efforts under way. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Greenpeace: “While upfront investment costs are higher for renewable energy, the long-term savings are greater…”
- Greenpeace: “ASEAN members Indonesia and the Philippines have among them the biggest geothermal resources in the world…”