Philippines' Declining Renewable Energy Data

Energy is one of the major components of economic growth. The use of energy can have a positive or negative effect depending how it is source. Non-renewable energy source such as oil, natural gas, and coal are the major source of carbon dioxide emission. According to World Bank Data, oil releases 50% more carbon dioxide than natural gas and coal releases two times higher. On one hand, nuclear energy does not produce carbon dioxide, yet its toxic waste is dangerous. Renewable energy sources include hydropower, geothermal, solar, tides, wind, biomass, and biofuels (based on World Bank Data).

From past two decades little has been done to increase renewable energy resources in the Philippines. Since 1986, the share of renewable energy significantly slides down from 55% to 29% in 2011 at the back of increasing energy production and demand.

With the current share of renewable energy, consuming higher electricity would lead to higher carbon emission. For example, shifting from gasoline to electric cars would not be a suggestable move since doing so would result to high demand for electricity - which in the case of the Philippines is majorly coming from non-renewable sources that produces carbon dioxide. Thus, shifting from gas to electric cars would only shift the carbon emission from cars to energy plants.

At present, conserving energy not only lowers the bill but also helps conserve mother earth. Increase in renewable energy share will reduce carbon dioxide emission which is the major source of air pollution and cause of global warming.