The Ukrainian crisis has only highlighted the global dependence on fossil fuel. With Russia controlling close to 20 percent of the world’s oil supply plus the apparent lukewarm response of the other oil-producing nations to stabilize the market, global price of oil has skyrocketed and is affecting all economies. Immediately following suit are the increases in logistics and transport costs, as well as in prime commodities and services, which will then have a tremendous impact on the purchasing power of the individual. Bracing for the worse is a given. And while we need to address this situation head on, we also need to fast track our timelines in drastically reducing such global vulnerability and our shift to renewable energy and low carbon initiatives. Otherwise, similar occurrence of the Ukrainian crisis will happen again and again. Global fossil fuel addiction must stop and it should involve collective policy actions from governments but with us individuals as well.
In our country, rhetoric about reaching such goal do not equate correspondingly to the actions we take, both collectively and as individuals. We are signatory to the Paris Agreement, which intends to address the problem of global warming, primarily with the reduction of the use of fossil fuel. We are also committed to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, recognizing the need for renewable energy with 2030 as the target date. And there have been gains insofar as efforts to bring down our fossil fuel consumption is concerned. Renewable energy apportionment to total usage in the form of solar and wind has increased this past decade alone. Transport modernization and shift to alternative fuels plus encouragement of non-motorized modes have been attempted, somewhat successfully in this administration. All over cities, bike usage has increased; greatly encouraged by the bike lane infrastructure the government had successfully pivoted during this pandemic. Public transport has also become more efficient, not to mention that the rail build up that was greatly given attention by this administration and of which we will see fruition in the next one, will lead to reduced use of individual gas guzzling motorized trips.
But there is so much more that needs to be done. The Ukrainian-Russian war has no doubt acted as a catalyst to the needed change. On the table is the Electric Vehicle Bill that is languishing in both houses of Congress and which will have to be passed on to the next administration. Initiatives such as additional incentives for solar and wind farms need to be given attention, in the same manner that penalties to the insistence of industries on traditional carbon based fuel use need to be consciously confronted. And as we begin to rise from the pandemic, automobile usage has gone back, as well as traffic. Efficiency programs such as the integrated bus terminals, motor vehicle inspection systems as well as the jeepney modernization are suddenly vulnerable to political transactions.
Individually we need to consciously have that attitudinal shift, and change our mindset that we can’t function if we do not have that carbon component in our lifestyle. Think about it. That air conditioning on a cool day, that 5-minute errand trip on your car or to the gym that definitely will give you the same amount of exercise had you walked instead of taking the car. In the same manner, private companies need to continue their work from home mode, or promote carpooling among their workers.
They say there is always something good that can come out of a crisis. Rethinking our dependence on fossil fuel is definitely a result of this unwanted war in Ukraine. And as we watch this unfortunate war happening and commiserate with a people fighting for their homeland, we realize that we are, thousands of miles away, a part of that conflict. We can, as our contribution to their fight, do our own fair share in shaking off our country’s addiction to fossil fuel.
The author may be reached via: thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu