Bring in the Sun

The global solar energy initiative Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched at the Paris climate conference is an idea worth pursuing. In funding the project headquarters for $30 million, inviting over 100 “sunshine countries” to join in and also writing a book Convenient Action: Continuity for Change, Mr Modi showed the world that India, with abundant sunshine resources, is serious about tapping an affordable and inexhaustible source of renewable energy. Not only will internationalisation of the technology drive the initiative to more efficient tapping and distribution of clean energy, as the resource is universal, it guarantees that the project will be import-independent.

It is a little curious that a sceptic like naturalist and nature broadcaster David Attenborough has now joined the long list of believers in climate change, and of doing something swiftly to try reverse it. His idea that one-five thousandth part of the Sun’s energy could supply sufficient energy for the whole of humanity is inspiring. Tapping that endless source involves complexities that may take billions of dollars in funding. Such learning investments, however, promise the greatest returns in solar energy as all other forms, including wind and ocean waves, are not so user-friendly, nor are they as constant a source as the centre of our universe.

To harness solar energy is a priority going far beyond the ideal convergence of economy, energy and ecology that humanity should aim for. The PM’s call for climate justice also has a nice ring to it for poorer nations that did very little to pollute the world.