Energy Security in Australian Manufacturing Industry
This essay focuses on an evaluation of system thinking process in terms of using them to solve challenges regarding social and environmental sustainability. These problems generally have a complicated nature; hence, traditional thinking cannot be applicable to solve such issues. Therefore, the necessity of the theoretical framework of system thinking has been introduced in order to solve contemporary issues regarding sustainability.
As traditional approaches are not helping in this complex situation of increasing pollution and global warming, this essay will try to seek relevance and credibility of systems thinking approach to provide an effective set of solutions regarding the supply of energy (Azzi, Duc and Ha 2015). Sustainability is considered as a competence of universal system, which determines long-term ability of endurance within diverse environment and remaining productive at the same time. In order to bring sustainable changes into certain scenario it is important to consider several aspects like economy, cultural and political background. The purpose behind writing this essay is to find out relevance of system thinking approach while dealing with the challenges faced by Australian manufacturing industry in the case of achieving a sustainable energy security.
Based on the theory of “Systems thinking is critical in developing solution to sustainability challenges”, this essay tries to find out the solution for Australian manufacturing industry regarding energy security. This kind of sustainability issues have been termed as wicked problems here. As the time progresses, the origins of natural resources are being exploited by daily human requirements. Irrespective of renewable or non-renewable energy, industries are utilizing it all to accomplish the social and organizational need (Stegen 2015). However, in this course they are forgetting central concern of environmental and social sustainability. The relevance of traditional solutions cannot be found as contemporary climate condition is way too complicated than it used to be in the past.
According to the perspectives shared by Cleanenergycouncil.org.au (2018), Australia is immensely enriched with the resources; possessing approximately 40% of the world’s uranium quantity and home for almost 10% of the coal resources and 2% of the world’s natural gas. The country contributes 3% of the world’s energy and holds the position of world’s ninth largest energy production unit. In terms of exporting the uranium and coal, it is largest as well. It has been observed that it exports more than 60% of the production, excluding the remaining part for their own necessities. However, Australia has failed to understand the value of energy and has been exploiting the potential resources for a prolonged period. As they are geographically blessed if not in near future, in the long run they have to face the energy crisis undoubtedly.
Therefore, according to the studies of Biggs et al. (2015), in order to restrict such extravagant practices several researchers have identified various dimensions of energy security which are national economic security, sustainability and environmental security, security of food and drinking water as well as social stability is important to establish a practice of secured consumption of energy in Australian countries. These are the majorly discussed areas where the crisis occurs frequently. Energy security can be viewed from four different perspectives as far as these dimensions are concerned.
Dimensions of Energy Security
For instance, if the case of energy security is reflected through environmental dimension, several environment related concerns would be highlighted in that course. As per the studies of Nair et al. (2014), the ongoing issue of increasing greenhouse gases and pollutants generated from manufacturing industries by utilizing fossil fuel to the extreme level is the matter of concern. Therefore, as described in Davis et al. (2014), energy security can be increased by restricting the use of fossil fuel within manufacturing industries, instead of that use of renewable energy sources like solar and hydro power should be encouraged in order to bring sustainability.
Due to the practice of consuming resources haphazardly, Australia is confronting with a change in climate as a result of their exploitation (Shahiduzzaman and Alam 2013). Excessive use of fossil fuel like coal and the use of refined crude oil for transportation are dominating the environment in terms of emitting carbonized gases (Ustun, Zayegh and Ozansoy 2013). Climate change is not only an effect of consuming energy excessively but also it is an important driver of causing insecurity within the atmosphere. Depending on the changing climate, according to the views provided by Soares et al. (2013), the requirement of cooling or heating the public or private areas will be increased. That demand will control the manufacturing industries to produce cooling or heating machines according to the market demand. Roughly, a cycle can be noticed like if people exploit the nature, nature will not response in a positive way. Following this kind process Australia is facing the incidents of energy insecurity.
From the perspective of food and water security, energy insecurity arises when hydropower is dependent on rainfall mostly and incapable of producing electricity. However, due to the challenged condition of the atmosphere rainfall has decreased. Therefore, for the production of electricity Australian countries have to rely on fossil fuels again, which leads to energy insecurity. Again, from the dimension of social stability and energy stress, energy security can be achieved by avoiding high expenditure on non-renewable sources of energy to assure equal distribution of resources within the society (Cherp and Jewell 2013). political decisions to hold the prices of energy, which affects energy security in the long term.
As discussed in Nguyen and Bosch (2013), in order to evaluate environment sustainability issues from a perception of system thinking, earth should be considered as a system, which consists of several interdependent parts. Contemporary environmental issues demand to be addressed, as those are intense enough to claim systematic as well as innovative solutions. Industrialists, non-profit organisations and public groups should acknowledge the alarming rate of energy crisis and climate change. Through a process of systematic thinking, it can be expected that long-term changes can come into the scenario. In order to develop a systematic approach it is important to find out the root causes of the energy crisis within Australian manufacturing industry. Therefore, objective is to achieve energy security by performing necessary amendments over existing practice of manufacturing industries across Australia.
Environmental Dimension
As per the views shared by Broman and Robèrt (2017), starting from the acknowledgement of educational opportunities, availability of resources, various political and cultural aspects every single detail will be consider before applying any method of change. When finally the sustainable development process is decided to execute, different issues come in front termed as wicked problems just because experts have not yet found any particular solution to mitigate those gathering similar opinion from all the stakeholders. As the social environment is dynamic and complex, by trying to resolve a single concern experts face multiple other problems, which makes the situation worse. It can be understood that wicked problems are by nature complicated and come with a set of extra-ordinary difficulties. It is supported by various studies that energy security is a system combined of several factors related to social environment.
Few recommendations can be framed considering the necessity of bringing a change within Australian community. Treating the energy security issue as a ‘wicked problem’, if mass awareness can be generated among the industrialists along with citizens regarding restricted consumption of resources, securing them for the purpose of future use and many more differences of behaviour at least can be expected from a highly educated nation. A complete security can be achieved if manufacturer industries acknowledge the insecurity of liquid fuel, energy poverty of poor citizens and integrate energy security and foreign diplomacy policy into with their business policy (The Conversation 2018).
After the elaborate discussion on the approach towards energy, security in Australian manufacturing industry it can be understood that energy security policy is following a systematic way to bring a sustainable change (Byrnes et al. 2013). Thinking systematically refers to a theoretical framework, which tries to establish relationship between the variables and tries to recommend solutions accordingly. As the way policies have been framed maintaining the relevance with the Australian scenario, systems thinking provides kind of same approach to the existing global and local issues of energy security. Following the method, the policies have been framed with the expectation of developing conceptualized recommendations to improve the socio-environmental situation to achieve sustainability from both the perspective of atmosphere and the manufacturer industries (Cleanenergycouncil.org.au, 2018). Systematic approach not only deals with concerned area yet delivers a broader approach, which means that the studies can be implemented in those areas as well dealing with the same challenges. It is considered as a useful approach dealing with sustainability issues just because its nature of inspecting things from a broader perspective (Processonline.com.au. 2018). Whereas, traditional thinkers focuses on best suited method for bringing change, this approach tries to find out the core issues and make changes according to the requirement of the condition. As with the rapid growth of urbanization, resources are being exploited more than the requirement thus encouraging energy insecurity. System thinking can help to solve such complex issues by conducting three simple steps of test. The first one deals with identifying the purpose for which this approach has been chosen. The second step deals with several variables and establishing relationship among those. In this case, the use of natural resources by the manufacturer industry of Australia is the first variable and the second one is energy security policies and the current situation of energy consumption of Australia. Merging these two, the recommendations have been framed to achieve a sustainable future for both the nation and the industry. The next part is functions of the approach. Thinking is not enough therefore; effective execution is needed in order to bring the desired change within the Australian society. It also helps to reconsider the aspects, which are unresolved and consistently being the problematic sector in the path of achieving sustainability.
Climate Change and Energy Insecurity
The significance of the wicked problem is, these are not isolated issues rather exist as a part of elaborated system with the help of various critically connected networks. That is where the approach of systems thinking is applicable as it deals with relationship with the variables and bring solution to the ongoing turmoil. It is difficult to find out solution for every aspect analysing with the help of one method. Still the role of systems thinking is successful enough to bring out the probable solutions regarding energy security (Wu and Salzman 2013). Therefore, it can be said that the theory, “Systems thinking is critical in developing solution to sustainability challenges”, is well applicable in achieving energy security in Australian manufacturing industry.
Conclusion
The purpose of this paper was to determine whether systems thinking could be appropriate for bringing sustainable change regarding energy security of Australia. The study has focused mainly to the manufacturing industry yet as systems thinking is the tool of evaluation, broader aspects have automatically included into the discussion. After a detail scrutiny, it can be stated that the theory of systems thinking is capable of bringing change considering the complex nature resource consumption among Australians.
It has been found that the country is under threats of both liquid fuel transport and the supply of electricity. Australia is on the verge of drifting towards an emergency regarding supply of fuels. As a part of crisis management, the approach of systems thinking is best to apply to bring social and environmental sustainability. Therefore, the proposed statement is considerably capable of combating the sustainability challenges, which were faced by manufacturer industrialists of Australia. The entire essay has talked about the credibility of this approach to make the policies of energy security stronger than before. Although, Australia is blessed with locations of available natural resources still communities should share the responsibility of restricting their needs of fossil fuel in order to avoid energy insecurity in future. Acknowledging the problem as a wicked one, this report has tried to include as much ‘long-term’ approach as possible, yet it should be remembered that the nature of wicked problems is dynamic and cannot be mitigated in the end because of its unique difficulties.
References
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