According to Rae Kwon Chung, climate change is exacerbating the uncertain environment surrounding the growing demand for food, energy and water. “We are stuck in a vicious circle: increased production of food, energy and water is worsening the climate crisis. Agriculture and land use is responsible for around one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, according to the IPCC report, extreme weather conditions, such as periods of extreme heat, floods, droughts, undermine the basic water supply of one fourth of the world population”, – the expert underlined.
By 2050, the world’s population will reach 10 billion people. This will become another critical factor. Already today, energy production systems, as well as food and water supply should be reviewed. In addition, at the same time, a fight against climate change should accompany this transformation.
Firstly, according to Rae Kwon Chung, subsidies for the exploration, production and operation of fossil fuels (amounting to $ 370 billion per year) should be redirected to support renewable energy sources, which are currently financed 4 times less (about $ 100 billion). A shift in subsidies even by 10-30% from traditional sources towards renewable energy sources will be able to recoup the global transition to green energy. Secondly, introduction of environmentally friendly measures for food production are in demand, taking into account the reduction of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Thirdly, according to the expert, the support of scientific developments is critical. Moreover, this support is needed not only in the field of fossil and green energy production, but also in the area of storage, transmission and energy efficiency of resources. Thus, technological solutions for the implementation of all measures will be available. “The Global Energy Prize is one of the best practices in this sense. In 2019, it is awarded to famous scientists Khalil Amine (USA) and Frede Blaabjerg (Denmark) for energy storage and transmission technologies”, – concluded Rae Kwon Chung.