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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.
  • 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)

AssetBottom 10%Top 10%
FanSomeAll
Television6%Widespread
Two-wheelerRareCommon
Fridge/Washing MachineAlmost noneCommon

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.

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