Energy, Development, and Sustainability: The Indian Context
Energy and Development
1. Why Energy Matters
- Definition: Energy is the ability to do work, but it represents much more: power, progress, and inequality.
- Role in Development: Essential for lighting homes, powering schools/hospitals, enabling industries, and improving quality of life.
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Historical Shift: Civilizations evolved with energy sources:
- Pre-industrial: Wood & animal power
- Industrial Revolution: Coal
- 20th Century: Oil
- Current Challenge: Fossil fuels dominate (80% of global energy) but bring high environmental costs (climate change, pollution, depletion).
2. Energy and Human Development
- Correlation: Higher energy use per capita generally correlates with higher Human Development Index (HDI) scores.
- India’s Position: At a critical point where small increases in energy access can significantly improve well-being.
- Paradox: Sri Lanka and Philippines have lower per capita energy use but higher HDI than India → showing that equitable distribution and efficiency matter as much as total consumption.
3. The Solar Paradox
- Earth receives 120,000 terawatts of solar energy daily.
- Human society consumes only ~15 terawatts.
- Theoretical Potential: A tiny fraction of solar energy could meet global needs.
- Reality: Heavy reliance on finite fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) due to infrastructural and economic inertia.
4. Energy Inequality in India (Analogies & Data)
a. The “India of 1000” Analogy (Prayas)
- 485 women, 515 men
- 690 live in villages
- 270 illiterate, 200 undernourished
- 50% houses have mud floors; <50% have drinking water access
- 650 have toilets
- 800 have LPG connections (many still use firewood)
- 950 have electricity connections
- Income Inequality: Richest 100 earn half of total income; poorest 500 earn one-sixth.
b. Energy Tree Analogy (1000 fruits = India’s total energy)
- 340 fruits: Firewood/dung used by poor households
- 310 fruits: Industry
- 150 fruits: Electricity (shared by 950 million people)
c. Asset Ownership (CEW Study, 2020)
| Asset | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Fan | Some | All |
| Television | 6% | Widespread |
| Two-wheeler | Rare | Common |
| Fridge/Washing Machine | Almost none | Common |
5. Environmental and Social Costs
- 76% of India’s GHG emissions come from the power sector (CSE, 2024).
- Air Pollution: Health costs due to fossil fuel combustion.
- Inequity: Rural populations, women, and poor bear the brunt of energy poverty.
- Global Unsustainability: If everyone consumed like the average American → we would need 2.5 Earths.
6. Key Concepts and Terminology
- Energy Sources: Origin of energy (coal, sun, wind).
- Energy Carriers: Mediums that deliver energy (electricity, hydrogen).
- Demand-Side Planning: Managing consumption through efficiency, frugality, and equitable distribution.
- Energy Justice: Ensuring fair access to clean, affordable energy for all.
7. Way Forward: Principles for Sustainable Energy Transition
- Expand Access while reducing emissions.
- Promote Renewables: Solar, wind, and other clean sources.
- Ensure Equity: Prioritize energy access for marginalized communities.
- Encourage Frugality: Avoid wasteful consumption patterns.
- Smart Design: Integrate energy efficiency in infrastructure and appliances.
- Policy Support: Subsidies and incentives for clean energy adoption.
Exam Tip
- Focus on the link between energy access and human development, especially India’s position in the HDI-energy curve.
- Understand disparities in energy consumption (e.g., energy tree analogy) and their socio-economic implications.
- Be prepared to discuss the solar paradox and the environmental costs of fossil fuels.
- Emphasize solutions that combine renewable expansion, demand-side management, and energy justice.
- Use data (76% GHG from power sector) to strengthen arguments.