Let’s set the stage for renewable energy
An eco-friendly economy is a global imperative. The need to comply with global environmental protection conventions is also linked to this. The moral responsibility of protecting the environment has been assigned to man as he is the most intelligent creature on earth and plays the decisive role in determining the future existence of his species as well as other plants and animals.
Considering this global context, is the use of environmentally friendly “renewable energy” a national interest of our country? Also, is it a good solution to prevent the flow of our country’s foreign reserves abroad? Or an inefficient power stream that costs a lot of upfront capital? Is there sufficient discourse in general society and the energy sector about these issues? The following points should be examined.
Factors such as unnecessary bureaucracy, wrong political decisions taken over a long period of time and public ignorance are common features of developing countries like ours. It can be examined whether the story is the same with regard to the sub-issue of establishing “Renewable Energy” in Sri Lanka. In order to improve the future and the present of the country, we need a society that “thinks about the country and the society, beyond themselves” and defeat such negative backgrounds.
In deciding what kind of energy should be in our country, the independent intervention of professionals/intellectuals in the field of energy is essential because they have the expertise. This kind of independent intervention can positively influence to stop or minimize the the effect of certain policies made by temporary political authorities appointed from time to time without proper planning and understanding. This group may also have opposing views. But if they do not cling on to their own advantage or believe in the opinion of others, if they agree with the positive opinion of others and take permanent collective and independent decisions that are beneficial to the country, it will help the development of our country.
There is a special point to be noted here. That is, the general public will benefit from an optimal energy plan for this country. Their awareness on energy is extremely important. Making them part of it will make this task easier. It can also be used as mass media or social media. The way professionals in the relevant fields took the lead to educate the public during the recent COVID-19 epidemic and in the face of the economic crisis can also be used as an example here. Mass media can also help by giving priority to the issues for the benefit of the citizens of our country instead of promoting statements of various politicians and internal affairs of the parties as the leading news.
