Could renewable energy be the answer to terrorism and economic crisis?

The environmental benefits of renewable energy technologies are well represented, but not so much notice has been paid to the fact that renewable energy could improve global peace and security. Western countries continue to court the House of Saud, which lies at the root of Al Qaeda’s acts of terrorism, and the resulting expensive war on terror. Our energy dependency lies at the crux of a dangerous dependence on the finite resources of some of the most brutal dictatorships in the world. Renewable energy could lead us away from this insecure dependence, and simultaneously improve our economy.

The history of the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia goes back to 1945 when Roosevelt sat aboard the naval ship the USS Quincy with King Saud and formed a tacit alliance. The alliance helped to build the economy during the decades when cars and plastics were booming. However, there was a dark side – the “oil curse” which also struck countries such as Nigeria and Venezuela, who failed to grow and develop in an equitable way despite having such abundant natural resources. The alliance between the West and the oil-rich countries can be seen as more of a deathly embrace when we consider its long-term climatic consequences.

The Iraq War has already been extremely expensive and Joseph Stiglitz has documented that it the final costs may be in excess of $2 Trillion, with unforeseen economic repercussions. Moreover, the oil output from Iraq since the War has decreased and oil prices have soared. Rising oil prices have had, and are likely to continue to have, a negative impact upon the global economy in number of ways which include raising the price of transport, industry and the average loaf of bread.

Ultimately, we will have to shift to resources that will last if we want to continue to travel around and use energy-intensive technology. Ironically renewable energy technologies can actually save money, which may be a better long-term investment than putting your money in a bank! For example, Solar heating will save 70% off the hot water bills of most houses and will pay for itself after a few years, saving on household bills from then on. The story is repeated for most forms of renewable technology fittings such as wind and solar electricity which can be sold back to grid. When you make the calculation, the return of investment from renewables is actually more than the interest you would get from putting money into a bank.

Without even mentioning the environment, there are sound economic and security reasons for switching to renewable energy forms. Dealing with slow climate change will only become more expensive the longer we leave it, particularly if the economy is stumbling and people have other priorities. If we are prepared, we can make arrangements. Investing or buying into renewable technology will create a virtuous cycle as demand will bring down prices, but someone needs to start the ball rolling. It could be you.