The availability of energy is an essential precondition to economic development. Almost all of the energy we use comes from non-renewable sources. They are by far the quickest and easiest method of generating the large amounts of energy which keep the planet's richer human communities moving. But they have two insoluble problems associated with them: the large amounts of pollution and the eventual drying up of supplies.

As a natural resource, fossil carbon - via the burning of fossil fuels has exerted major stress on the condition of the environment today. These general statements are widely acknowledged; yet we are still, for the most part, uncertain of how we will commit to long-term sustainable energy supplying global energy needs in the future.

The sector contributed 46% to the enhanced radiative forcing of the atmosphere during the decade of the 80's, and its contribution is projected to increase to 65% in the period 2000-2025. Total global consumption of primary energy in the world in 1990 was 8033.3 million tonnes oil equivalent (mtoe). 3101.4 mtoe oil and 2192.1 mtoe coal were consumed, making them the most frequently burned fossil fuels in the world and the largest sources of anthropogenic greenhouse gases(GHGs). Globally, fossil fuel use has nearly quadrupled since 1950, with the fastest growth found in the developing countries. Yet, the OECD countries, including the US, still account for slightly more than half of primary energy consumption. Developing countries account for around 25% of the total. In addition, per-capita energy consumption in developed countries is an average 10-30 times that of developing regions of the world, producing around two thirds of CHG emissions.

The per-capita energy consumption levels could drop in the OECD countries, due to wide implementation of energy efficient technologies and stabilized population, levels in developing countries are likely to increase as development measures (especially related to electricity generation, direct industrial use and transportation) are implemented. A combination of the factors cited, coupled with population growth, would suggest the developing countries' primary energy consumption will grow rapidly.

There is considerable variation from region to region, however, the region the worked is watching most closely is Asia due to predominant utilization and existence of large and available regional sources of coal - the most atmospherically damaging primary fuel. This paper covers some of the most relevant transitional and global energy-environment issues related to Asia.

Asia-Energy and the Environment

In 1990, almost 50% of the primary energy needs in Asia were supplied by coal. In China, coal supplied approximately 76% of primary energy needs in 1990. Coal use causes many more environmental problems than are often recognized. Aside from contributing to the global warming phenomenon and the problem of local / regional air pollution, there are other deleterious problems caused by coal-fired energy supply. To name a few: land requirements for mine wastes and fly-ash dumps, acid mine drainage, and water shortages caused by the water used in the process. The outlook for the future of coal use in Asia is alarmingly high - suggesting a future of unsustainable energy planning in the national, regional, and global contexts of the word.

The developing countries' share of world commercial energy use increased from 16 to about 25% between 1970 and 1988. China, India, and Brazil comprised about 45% of the developing world's consumption of commercial and traditional fuels in 1988, with China alone accounting for 30%. Coupled with the above(global) average burning of coal, the Asian region is also the location of the greatest population pressures. A global "doubling of energy consumption in the first half of the 21st century and an expected doubling of the population in the latter half" has been projected. As the various countries in the region expand their industrial bases via development while experiencing large increased in population, energy consumption will increase.

Knowing what we do today about the inextricable links between energy and the environment, we could expect to experience further stresses to the already threatened atmosphere and ecosystems. The Second World Climate Conference clearly stated :

Source : Hanisch Ted and Dana Gustafson. Energy and Environment in Asia : Transnational and Global Issues. World Bank Working Paper 1992 :5.

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