BONN CONFERENCE CALLS FOR WORLDWIDE COMMITMENT TO RENEWABLE RESOURCES
31 May 2004

The Renewables 2004 global conference in Bonn, Germany, has resulted in recommendations for more aggressive research and development of renewable energy resources. Citing persistent unrest in oil rich countries, the negative environmental impact of fossil fuels, along with soaring prices and the economic problems associated with any finite resource, the conference noted the benefits to economic and political security of using resources that are local, clean and renewable.

Renewable resources were also put forth as a solution to poverty and marginalization: rural communities have historically been deprived of the resources of urban centers, and as many as 2 billion people worldwide still have no access to electricity. Developing countries are beginning to see the economic and political benefits of renewable resources. Norbert Gorißen, head international affairs for Germany's Environmental Ministry, is quoted by Deutsche Welle, saying: "many countries - whether it's Thailand, China, Cambodia and the Philippines - already have their individual programs".

Health was also a key issue: not only do fossil fuels pollute the broader environment, but even within the home, the use of inefficient indoor stoves creates smoke pollution that kills as many as 1 million people per year. Germany is actively promoting cleaner fuels, noting the excessive negative impact on women of such inefficient fuels, due to pollution in the home.

In 2002, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder pledged to the Johannesburg summit a total of €1 billion to foster the development of and awareness about renewable energy resources. One of the major issues still affecting the success of renewables is the lethargic approach taken by the US government toward promoting a long-term transfer of the energy economy to renewable fuels. [For more: DW]