Tuesday February 07 2012

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Micronomore Universe 2010 Conference

Sustainability Has No Place in the Profit System

Application of sustainability principles to the profit system is a contradiction. When renewable energy, coming from the earth’s resources is used to power up economy and enterprises, the profit interests of the oil cartel will be displaced. Manufacturers produce materials and technologies that easily break down or reach their obsolete stage faster than they should to generate more demands from repeat and new generation customers. Although this practice contributes large amounts of waste that pollutes the earth, in the profit system competition, this is the only way to sustain. Sustainability is the adversary of profitability.

Today, 1% of the population owns 40% of the planet’s resources. This 1% is composed of individuals and corporations who obviously run the economy of the World – a World where 34,000 children die due to poverty and preventable diseases; a World where more than half of the population lives on less than $2 a day.

What is wrong? Our physical world is reaching its limits of usage more than it can carry not because of limited natural resources vis-à-vis its number of inhabitants but because of abuse for profit. Earth is abundant with natural energy but unfortunately, these resources are controlled by the powerful few to maintain their place at the top.

Fossil fuel burning as the only way of producing energy is de-energizing the planet. Oil is largely non-renewable and, when burned is damaging to the environment. This leads us to the ultimate question of “why are they doing this?” Oil is a capital good that can be controlled. Controlling and manipulating this resource will secure their place in the profit system. Using regenerative sources of energy that are affordable by any household or small enterprise will improve the environment and lives of the people but can have staggering ill effects to the profit of those who control the system.

Application of sustainability principles to the profit system is a contradiction. When renewable energy, coming from the earth’s resources (which is not owned by any single individual or corporation), is used to power up economy and enterprises, the profit interests of the oil cartel will be displaced. Consequently and similarly, manufacturers of other industries produce materials and technologies that easily break down or reach their obsolete stage faster than they should. This is to generate more demands from repeat and new generation customers. Although this practice contributes large amounts of waste that pollutes the earth, in the profit system competition, this is the only way to sustain. Sustainability is the adversary of profitability.

Without false hopes of deliverance from powers-that-be, the micro-no-more movement continues to advocate for the realization of economically-self-sustaining communities (ESSCs). As a jumpstart to integrating renewable energy in the financial services for the poor communities, Engr. Douglas Philip Emperado was invited, as resource speaker by SEEDFINANCE during the 2009 Stakeholders Conference, to reinforce the claim of the movement that the use of renewable energy in micro-enterprise development is not just responsible but also doable in the Philippines.

For what is financial service if it is not applied to projects that bring about sustainability to environment and households?

INITIATIVES ON RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES
By: Engr. Douglas Philip D. Emperado

Renewable energies are energy sources that are continually replenished by nature: water, the sun, the wind, and the plants (biomass). Renewable Energy Technologies turn these sources of energy from nature into usable forms of energy – most often electricity, heat, chemicals, or mechanical power.

Aside from the more popular and accessible solar power, there are other technologies that are readily available and doable in the Philippines:

1. Micro Hydro Power Plant (Falling Water )

2. Tidal Current Energy System (Ocean Current)

3. Ocean Thermal Energy Converter (OTEC):

4. Hydraulic Ram Pump (Falling Water)

5. Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) System (Solar Insulation)

6. Wind Mill for Pumping Water:

7. Spiral Magnus Wind Turbine (Features)

Summary of Resources:

Energy Sector Objectives:

Renewable Energy Goals: Increase RE-based capacity by 100% by 2013

Increase non-power contribution of RE to the energy mix by 10 MMBFOE in the next ten years

RE Policies and Strategies:

Incentives for RE Projects & Activities: (RE Bill Sec. 13)

Posted on March 28, 2010
Events, Investments, Micronomore | 1 Comment

Comments

One Response to “Sustainability Has No Place in the Profit System”

  1. Abelardo V. Padios on July 14th, 2010 3:42 am

    This is another initiative that SEEDFINANCE must venture if the organization want to make a difference in the countryside. And this posted a great challenge to the strategic direction and thrust of the organization….

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