IMAGINE this: A clean and green power grid connecting not only all 10 member states of Asean but also linking China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Renowned economist and sustainable development exponent Prof Jeffrey Sachs believes this can be achieved within the next 20 years, if the essential conditions are met. In fact, as Prof Sachs tells the recent High-Level Convening on Asean’s Integrated Energy and Digital Future, held at Sunway University, it is urgently necessary.
“We’ve already reached 1.5°C, we will reach 2°C within 20 years, and we are at risk of extremely dire tipping points in many parts of the world, including destruction of the ice sheets and multi-metre sea level rise; destruction of the rainforests, and many other shocking events that are becoming likely—because we have not cracked a problem that was recognised 33 years ago when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed, and has not been solved in the 30 years of diplomacy over that treaty,” says the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN) president and distinguished honorary professor at Sunway University Tan Sri Sir Jeffrey Cheah.
Noting that this energy system transformation is complicated and expensive, Prof Sachs stresses that what is needed is a bold plan of action, which is then implemented courageously and effectively.
