Discuss the view that with an increasing global need for energy, every possible source should be

exploited to the fullest.

Introduction:

- Definitions
o Exploit: utilizing a resource in an unfair or excessive way
- Context
o Population is increasing at unprecedented rates + QoL of significant numbers of people
rising too, taxing energy resources more due to its correlation with technology and
electrical use
80% of population will migrate to city areas
LDCs, e.g. Mexico City in Mexico, undergoing rapid industrialization
o Across the world, industries are tertiarising or shifting to higher-value processes that will
also use technology, e.g. machinisation of menial tasks today
o Energy resources are scarce limited supply. Trade-off = use energy for human needs or
save for future generations?

* no need for complicated context (e.g. no need to wax philosophical about human greed)

- Yes, should be exploited to the fullest

o Economic impetus: When it is used to support human life, when the natural costs can
bring about greater benefits e.g. industrializing country Indonesia uses slash and burn
(exploiting fertile ground) to keep up with the glob. Econ. And grant its citizens a
reasonable SoL through the logging industry. Otherwise resources would go to waste
o Reasonable to exploit if renewable or available in abundance: wind-powered energy,
hydropower, nuclear energy etc. incur relatively low costs
o With technological advancements, exploiting energy is no longer such a moral or
occupational hazard as we are discovering sources of energy that incur almost minimal
costs
E.g. gravity-powered lamp invented by south African firm breakthrough in eco-
friendly tech, incurs much less impact on the environment than nearly any
energy source out there. Gravity is free
Solar power
- No, shouldnt be exploited
o Can lead to occupational hazard: exploiting certain sources of energy opens the way for
abusing energy sources in an unsafe way (a la Murphys law: whatever can go wrong
with go wrong)
Nuclear energy in nuclear reactors. In 2011, Fukushimas nuclear disaster after
earthquake + Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine (1986)
Inherent risk in exploiting this energy with detrimental impacts, the capacity for
consequences will be ever-present once you exploit this energy
o As we need to conserve resources for posterity no justification in being selfish as
future generations also have a right to access resources needed for survival
 Trade-off between using resources here and now and availability of rscs in
future. E.g. fossil fuels, finite in supply, running out in 50 years.
o Contrary to popular belief, exploiting energy doesnt guarantee economic success and
the belief that it does so is flawed.
Exploiting energy can lead to wastage or complacency in production processes
as people fail to consider the finite supply of resources
Not necessarily productive China, smog from industrial factories that comprise
significant part of energy demand causing respiratory problems in population.
Esp Beijing where smog is endemic, cant go out without wearing a mask if you
dont want adverse effects on health (coughing, difficulty breathing etc.)
Singapore moving away from dirty energy sources such as coal to cleaner
natural gas and also promoting energy conservation in society. Were still
productive owing to human capital and knowledge capital + budding
entrepreneurship force
Government stance: being environmentally friendly and eco-conscious,
resources-wise, is a necessity. Belief has been around since the 1970s
o Harmful impact on both nature and society: envt degradation
Energy exploitation can possibly engender leaps and bounds in human
capabilities and achievements, but this isnt even guaranteed it still depends
on how we use it.
There are many by products in excessive use what of haze (Singapore and
Indonesia)? Climate change? Rising sea levels? We can threaten even our
current generation (not just future ones) with air pollution, water pollution if we
exploit without any heed.
Exploitation will raise the scale at which these harmful environmental impacts
occur and worsen their severity

Conclusion

- Is it feasible to exploit? No, health impacts and environmental hazard

o No, still not, renewable sources unable to support whole population on earth
- Is it moral to exploit? No, because future generations
- Is it prudent to exploit? No, because might not bring about economic benefits, if countries focus
on exploiting without considering how to maximise energy use