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GlobalIssues http://www.globalissues.org
Social,Political,EconomicandEnvironmentalIssuesThatAffectUsAll

EnergySecurity
byAnupShah ThisPageLastUpdatedSunday,May15,2011

Thisprintversionhasbeenautogeneratedfrom
http://www.globalissues.org/article/595/energysecurity
Recentyearsandmonthshaveseenincreasingattentionbeingpaidtotheissueofenergysecurity.There
areanumberofconcernsandfearssuchas(thoughnotlimitedto):
Oilandotherfossilfueldepletion(peakoil,etc)
Relianceonforeignsourcesofenergy
Geopolitics(suchassupportingdictatorships,risingterrorism,stabilityofnationsthatsupply
energy)
Energyneedsofpoorercountries,anddemandsfromadvancingdevelopingcountriessuchasChina
andIndia
Economicefficiencyversuspopulationgrowthdebate
Environmentalissues,inparticularclimatechange
Renewablesandotheralternativeenergysources
Energyinsecuritycombinedwithotherglobalissuesrisksfuelingconflict,repeatingpastmistakesin
history.

Thiswebpagehasthefollowingsubsections:
1. Oilandotherfossilfueldepletion
2. OilandGlobalization
3. Relianceonforeignsourcesofenergyandgeopolitics
4. EnergyneedsanddemandsofgrowingcountriessuchasChinaandIndia
5. Economicefficiencyversuspopulationgrowth
6. Needtoinvestinalternativestofossilfuels
7. Nuclearasasuitablealternativetofossilfuels?
8. Newresourcesforalternativeenergysameoldgeopolitics?
9. Localrenewableenergyreducesviolenceyetmaybeathreattogovernments
10. MoreInformation

Oilandotherfossilfueldepletion
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Manyfearthattheworldisquicklyusingupthevastbutfiniteamountoffossilfuels.Somefearwemay
havealreadypeakedinfossilfuelextractionandproduction.Somuchoftheworldreliesonoil,for
example,thatiftherehasbeenapeak,orifapeakisimminent,orevenifapeakissomewayoff,itissurely
environmentally,geopoliticallyandeconomicallysensibletobeefficientinuseandinvestinalternatives.
Somemayargue(ideologically)thatmarketswillsolvethisproblem.However,marketsaregoodfor
makingprofitandallocatingresourcesefficientlyforthatpurpose,butthatdoesnotalwaysmeanthatis
goodfortheenvironmentorforsocietyorforothersocietiesinotherpartsoftheworld.Furthermore,in
realitymarketsarenotperfect,soevenifthetheoryholds,realityseesamixtureofpolitics,powerplay
andcorruptioneveninthemostadvancedcountries.

OilandGlobalization
Canadianeconomist,JeffRubin,notesthatthecurrentformofglobalization1hastwokeypartstoit:
1. Tradeliberalization/lowertariffs,etc.tomanufacturegoodsfarawayfromwhereitisconsumed
2. Cheapoiltotransportallthosegoodsfromfaraway.
Highoilpricesofrecentyears,therefore,threatensthecurrentformofglobalization:
Video:OilandTheDeathofGlobalization2,jyskebank,October
25,2010
WoulditbethedeathofglobalizationforeveryoneasRubinsays?MighttheeveryonebetheWest?
Itishardtopredict,ofcourse.Butconsiderthis:
Importinggoodsfromfarawaydependswhoitisfarfrom.
Currently,Chinaseemstobethemainmanufacturerfortheworld,anditisfarawayfromEurope
andAmerica.
AdeclineinAmerican/European(ormoregenerally,theWest)dominanceduetothecurrent
globalfinancialcrisis3,theemergenceofafewdevelopingnations,andotherrelatedevents,may
affecttheirabilitytoaffordthattransportation(ifalternativestooildonotemergequicklyenough)
anditmayaffecttheirabilitytoparticipateinaglobalsystem(thattheyhelpedforge).
Butifotherregionsdevelop,theymayoffsetthedeclineoftheWest.
Inthatscenario,itmaybetheendofglobalizationfortheWest,butitmaystillbesomekindof
globalizationfortherest.
Alsointerestingly,andperhapsimportantly,anotherimplicationisthatevenifthereisadeclineforsome
thatissomewhatoffsetbyothers,theimportanceoflocalizationmayemerge,whichcouldmean
decliningindustriesintheWestmayalsoberevived.
(Theimplicationsarewiderthaneconomic,too.Geopolitically,thisoffsetmaybeviolentthosewith
powerrarelygiveitupeasily,forexample.EvenifitisareasonablypeacefultransitionwheretheWest
findsanalternativemodeloracceptsadifferentroleintheworldeconomy,itwillhaveculturalandsocial
implications.Changingmedia,changingfoodhabits(andsources),andmorewhichafewgeneralizations
andwordsherecannotbegintoexplain!)
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Relianceonforeignsourcesofenergyandgeopolitics
Therehascertainlybeenarecognitioninrecentmonthsandyearsthatenergysecurityisaconcern.Even
USpresidentGeorgeBushadmittedduringhis2006StateoftheUnionspeechthat,KeepingAmerica
competitiverequiresaffordableenergy.Andherewehaveaseriousproblem:Americaisaddictedtooil,
whichisoftenimportedfromunstablepartsoftheworld.Thebestwaytobreakthisaddictionisthrough
technology.
Ignoringforthemomenttheironythatamajor(thoughnotonly)reasonthatthosepartsoftheworldare
unstableisbecauseofUSforeignpolicythere,therehavebeensignsformanyyearsthatsomemajor
companiesandindustries,havebeenconsideringalternatives.
Theotherconcernisthatwhetherthisdriveorneedforcompetitivenesswillcontributetomoreintense
rivalrybetweenpowerfulnationsaswitnessedattheendofthe1800sandtheearly1900s,orwhetherthis
timewewilllearnfromhistoryslessons.Sofar,thereislittletoindicatethatwehaveevolvedintopeaceful
enoughsocietiestonotrepeatthosepastdisastersasgrowinginequality,extremism,power,drivefor
th

growthandprofit,andourcollectiveshortmemoriesallinterplay.Afterall,the20 centuryhasbeen
describedasthecenturyofwar,notpeace.Atthebeginningofthe21stcentury,theleadersoftwo
countriesthatholdthemselvesashighexamplesofpeacefulmembersoftheinternationalcommunity
decidedtoinvadeIraq,withoutglobalapprovalorlegaljustification.
Someforeignpolicydecisionsinpastyearsarecomingbacktohauntadvancednations.Forexample,in
ordertodestabilizetheSovietUnionduringtheColdWar,theUnitedStatessuccessfullyencouraged,
trainedandsustainedIslamicextremismandterrorismsothatarelentless,religiouslydrivenresistance
couldcountertheSovietUnionsinvasionofAfghanistan.
However,thekindofextremiststhattheUShelpedcreateincludedOsamaBinLaden.Withthese
extremistsreturningbackafterdefeatingtheSovietUnion,variouseventssincehaveseenIslamic
extremistsresorttoterroristacts,alarmedatthemilitarypresenceoftheUSintheirholiestlands,the
influencesofwesternculturewhichtheyfearisagainstIslam,andsoon.
Asmoreandmoredevelopingcountriesindustrialize,theywillnaturallywantmoreenergytoquenchthe
growththirst.Thiswillseemoreinvolvementininternationalaffairs,andindeedChinaandIndiaare
increasinglyactiveinmanyregionsaroundtheworld.Geopoliticalissues,newandold,willthereforearise.
Forexample,theColdWaryearswitnessedboththeWestandSovietUnionreadilysupportpuppet
governments,evenoverthrowingfledglingdemocracies,infavorofdictatorships4 ,ifneeded.Thiswas
oftenjustifiedtothehomepopulationasbeingforthenationalinterest.(Note,theUSandotherwestern
countriesalsosupportedSaddamHusseinwhenhewascommittingsomeofhisworstcrimesagainst
humanity.)
Legitimatestabilityandsupplyissuesarealsoofconcern.Forexample,placeslikeNigeria5,Iraq6 ,Iran7,
etc.allproduceoilbutpresentproblemsofvaryingdegreeforoilconsumingnations,asconcernsrange
fromstablesupply,tostablegovernment.Others,suchasVenezuela8,threatentouseoilanditsrelated
profitstodeveloptheirowncountryandregionevenmore.
SomecountriessuchastheUShaveenormousmilitaryexpenditureinparttoprotectglobaloilareasfor
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theirinterests.Anumberofotherlargecountriesaregettingmoreinvolvedoractiveintheinternational
arenaduetoenergyrelatedconcerns,includingChinaandRussiapromptingafearofageopoliticalcold
warcenteredaroundenergysecurity9 .
AlreadymanytalkabouttheUSusingtheWaronTerrorinAsia,anditscourtingofIndia(acountrywith
itsownambitions)10asanattempttocontainChina,forexample.Russiahasalsoflexeditsmusclelately
withneighboringcountriesasithasaccesstosomeofthelargestsourcesofnaturalgas.ChinaandUS
interestinpartsofAfricaarealsoviewedwithsomesuspicionassomeofthesecountriesbecomesources
ofoilandotherrawmaterials.
TherapidriseofdevelopingcountriessuchasBrazil,China,andIndia,willalsoseetheirincreased
interestedinensuringsecureaccesstoenergy,andsoanewgeopoliticalcoldwarispossible.Countries
alreadypowerful(suchastheUS)andsomeoftheseemergingcountrieswillthereforehavetheirown
interestsatstake.
TheironicparttothisisthatthePentagonhasbecomeanenormousconsumeroffuelitself,thus
contributingtoclimatechangeworries,andincreasingglobalenergysecurityconcernsasotherlarge
countriesareemergingonthescene.MichaelKlare,aprofessorofpeaceandworldsecuritystudies,writes
11

abouttherisinggeopoliticalbattlecenteredaroundenergysecurity ,andnotesthatthePentagonisitself
oneoftheworld'sgreatoilguzzlers,consuming134millionbarrelsofoilin2005,asmuchastheentire
nationofSweden.
Thefuturecouldalsoseecontinuedconflictsforresources.Thusfossilfueldependencyandwastefuluse
ofresourceswillworsenclimatechangewhichalreadythreatenstoendangermanyoftheworlds
ecosystems,raisesealevels,andaffectfoodproductionpossiblyleadingtoresourcescarcitydriven
instabilityandconflict.

Energyneedsanddemandsofgrowingcountriessuchas
ChinaandIndia
Thewesternnationsformasmallpercentageoftheworldpopulationbutconsumefarmoreresources12.
Problemssuchasclimatechangeandenergydepletionarethuslargelycausedbythesenations.
However,asChinaandIndiaalsogrowrapidlythereisafearthatthesecountriesdemandsforenergyand
resourceswillveryquicklyseetheworldsnaturalresourcesstrippedawayevenmorequicklygiventheir
largepopulationsizes.Somefearthatalreadywearecloseto,orarealreadyexceeding,theplanetsability
toreplenishitselfataquickenoughrate.
SomepoliciesandsuggestionsthereforepointfingersatChinaandIndia,thattheymustaddressissues
suchaspopulationgrowthandbesubjecttoemissionreductiontargets13liketheindustrializedcountries,
etc.(Andalsowatchformoredefensivereactionfromindustrializedcountries,forexample,raisingoften
legitimateissuesthoughoftenbyvestedinterestssuchasashumanrights,corruption,threatsofjobs,
andsoon.)
Ontheotherhand,mostdevelopingcountries(includingChinaandIndia)counterthattheyhavearightto
development,andtheyhavenotbeentheoneswastefullypumpinggreenhousegasesintotheatmosphere
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forasmanydecades.(Thisprinciplewasalsoagreedtobytherichcountries,includingtheUS,for
example,whendiscussingtheKyotoprotocoltotackleglobalwarming,acceptingcommonbut
14

differentiatedresponsibilities .Developingcountriesalsopromisedtopursueapathofdevelopmentthat
waslesswastefulandinefficientasthealreadyindustrializednations,onethatwouldbemore
sustainable.)

15

CentreforScienceandEnvironment andEquityWatch

16

Economicefficiencyversuspopulationgrowth
Anotherissueiswhetheritispopulationgrowthoreconomicchoices(patternsofconsumption,
production,etc.)thatdriveresourcedepletionandenergyneeds.TheformerimpliescountrieslikeChina
andIndiaaremajorcausesofproblems,andthelatterimpliesthateconomicpolicies,perhapseven
fundamentaleconomicideologiesmaybemajorproblems.Indeed,manyhavecalculatedthatdepending
onhowresourcesareconsumed,thenumberofpeopletheplanetcansustainvariessignificantly17.
Apopulationrelatedargumentservesrichcountryinterestbyfocusingblameorconcernofglobal
problemsatthedevelopingcountries.Arguingthatbynotingtherighttodevelopmentmayappearto
defendbadpoliciesthatarenotsustainablefortheenvironment.Clearlythisisnotablackandwhiteissue,
yet,rarelyistheenormouswasteofresourcesinoureconomicsystem18,eveninmanyindustrialized
markets,everdiscussed.
Itiscommontohearofconcernsaboutthethirstforenergy,thegrowingnumberofcars,etc.inChina,
Indiaandotherrapidlydevelopingcountries.Theconcernsareindeedgenuine,butrarelyarechangesto
energyusage/efficiently,fuelconsumption,ordrivinghabitsintheindustrializedcountriesdiscussed,for
itthreatensourwayoflifeeventhoughthatcurrently(andhistorically)hascausedfarmoreharmtothe
planetbothrelativetopopulationsizeandinabsoluteterms.Instead,itiseasiertoblamenationssuchas
ChinaandIndiathathavefollowedpracticesironicallyencouragedbytheindustrializednations.

Needtoinvestinalternativestofossilfuels
Itwouldmakestrategicandenvironmentalsensetopourmoreresourcesintotheresearchand
developmentofalternativestofossilfuels.Fossilfueldependentindustriescryfoulofsuchsuggestions,
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butgovernmentspouredbillionsintofossilfueldevelopment(beforeprivatizingthoseindustries).
Perhapsinasimilarway,giventhoseindustriesarenowmature,theydonotneedsuchsupport,butother
industriesinrenewableandalternativescouldbecreated.
Dr.HermannScheerisaMemberoftheGermanParliamentsince1980andwasgiventhetitleHerofor
theGreenCenturyin2002byTimeMagazine.Hearguesinashortvideoclip(2minutes30seconds,
transcript19 )thatthereasonwhymanystillthinkrenewableenergycannotreplacefossilandnuclearpower
isbecausethoseworkingintheseindustrieshavemadeeffortstopropagatethenotion.
20

Video:HermannScheer,BigEnergysLastStand ,May21,2006,BigPicture
TV
Thehigherpricesatpetrolpumpsinrecentmonthsmaybeablessingindisguiseifitmakesconsumersalso
thinkmoreaboutenergyconservationandalternatives,forthemarketmayrespondtothat.
Nuclearpowerisonealternativetofossilfuelsthatmanynationsareconsidering,giventheirefficientand
environmentalfriendlinessduringoperation.Many(notall)environmentalistsfeartheconsequencesand
costsofaccidentsandradioactivewasteandsayitisnotworthit,andthatotherrenewablealternatives
shouldbeinvestedin,instead.
Despiteenvironmentalconcerns,demandfornuclearpowerplantsisontheincrease,andthe
InternationalEnergyAgencyestimatesthatmorethan$200bnwillbespentby2030onharnessingthe
atomforenergyoutput21,notestheBBC.Asanexample,by2050,Indiaexpectstohave25%ofitsenergy
22

providedbynuclearpower,comparedtothecurrent3% ,accordingtoanotherBBCarticle.
IndiaandChinaaresomeofthecountriesthathaverecentlymadedealswithprovidersofnuclearpower
plants,whileothers,suchasIranarecriticizedandobstructedfromhavingsuchcapabilitybasedonthe
fearthattheymaywanttocreatenuclearweapons.
Manyhavecalledforamassiveinfusionoffundsbyleadinggovernmentsandcompaniestoinvestin
alternativessuchassolar,wind,andwavepower.Governmentsencouragingandevenfundinginvestment
intheseareaswouldbenodifferenttothepastwheredevelopmentoffossilfuelbasedenergyrequireda
kickstart.
ArsTechnicasummarizedanInternationalEnergyAgency(IEA)reportnotingthat
Globally,weresubsidizingfossilfuelusetothetuneofhundredsofbillionsofdollars(over$300bn
in2009)
Fossilfuelsubsidiesareover5timesthesubsidiesgoingtorenewableenergy($57bnin2009)
Inactiononclimategoalshasadded$1trillionontothecostofreachingthemin2009alone.
Governmentswillhavetoactfasttohaveanychanceofgettingustothe450ppmgoalthat
theyclaimtosupport.Duetotheinactionthatdominatedthepastyear,theIEAestimates
thatitwilltakeatrilliondollarsmoretostabilizetheatmosphereat450ppmifwestartnow
thanitwouldhaveifwedstartedayearearlier.Anyfurtherdelaywouldmakematters
worse,somuchsothatthereportseemstoconcludethatitsimplywonthappen.

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23

JohnTimmer,IEA:lastyearsinactiononclimategoalscostus$1trillion ,ArsTechnica,November9,
2010(emphasisadded)
Thisisalotofmoney,butthepledgesatrecentclimatechangemeetingsseemfarlessambitious.But
24

trillionswerequicklymadeavailabletotackletheglobalfinancialcrisis asmentionedfurtherbelow.
Althoughalternativeenergyinvestmentandsubsidiesseemtobesmallandattheirinitialstages,there
25

mayalreadybesignsofpayoffsomearefindingthatsolarpowerisnowcheaperthannuclearpower
atleastinNorthCarolina,USA.Someofthefactorsincludethesteadydeclineincostsforsolar
photovoltaicsystemswhileprojectedcostsfornewnuclearplantscontinuerising.
Aspartofagrowingtrendforrenewableenergy,manyUSstatesaredevelopingoffshorewindto
complementsolarenergyasthisisseenasmoreefficientthanlargenuclearpowerplantsandfossilfuel
provision.Althoughtheideaofnuclearenergyhasbeenmorepalatableinrecenttimes,thisperhapsshows
analternativeenergypolicymayhaveitsadvantagesIran,forexamplecouldbepersuadedtopursuethis
avenue(ascouldexistingnuclearpowerswhoarelargefossilfuelusers,too).
TheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)notedin2008thatrenewableenergycontributed
toahuge12.9%ofglobalprimaryenergysupplyin2008,whilenuclearpower,forexample,contributed
just2%whencomparingthedirectequivalentofsupply.(Oil,gasandcoalcombinedweretherestat
85.1%):

Sharesofenergysourcesintotalglobalprimaryenergysupplyin200SpecialReport
26

RenewableEnergySources(SRREN)SummaryforPolicyMakers ,IPCC,May2011,p.6

Note,withoutthedirectequivalentaccountingmethodusedabove,nuclearpower,forexampleaccounts
for12to13%totalworldelectricitysupplybuttheIPCCexplainstheuseofdirectequivalenttoalso
includetheirheatingvaluesoitisprimaryenergynotjustelectricity.TheIPCCnotedthatrenewable
energycontributedapproximately19%ofglobalelectricitysupply.(p.5)
Thevastmajorityofrenewablesisbiomass,meaningburningwood,usinganimaldungetcbutalso
includescommercialproductionofbioenergy.TheIPCCnotedthatsome60%ofbiomassisusedin
cookingandheatingapplicationsindevelopingcountriesthoughthereisrapidincreaseinusingmodern
biomass.Comparedtoglobalprimaryenergy,however,directsolarenergy(0.1%),windpower(0.2%)and
somewhatquestionablehydropower(2.3%)areminusculebutusedifferssignificantlyindifferentpartsof
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theworld.
AstheaboveIPCCreportalsonotes,thecostsofrenewableenergiesaredecliningallthetimeandwill
continuetodeclineasmoreandmoreisdeployed.Atpresent,thecostcanbehigherthanothersourcesof
energywhichputssomepeopleofftheideathattheycouldbeaviable,largescalealternativetonuclear
power.
However,fossilfuelsareincreasinginpricewhilethecostofrenewablescontinuetodeclineandbecome
moreandmorecompetitive,soastheIPCCalsourges,itmakeseconomicsensetogiveitapoliticalpush
tootohelpprovideasignificantboostasthereishugepotentialalthoughtherearestillmanychallenges
ahead.
27

Thosefavoringastrictneoliberaleconomicideology willarguethatthestateshouldnotinterferein
markets,yethistoryshowsthatthemarkethashardlyeverfunctionedwithoutthestate,andindeedthe
statehasoftenbeenthemajorreasonamarkethasevenappeared.Fordemocraticcountries,governments
subsidizingrenewableandalternativescouldreflectthedesiresofmanyofthatnationsconstituents.If
fossilfuelcompaniesfearcompetition,theyshould(andmanyare)becomemoreactiveinthisarea,but
notstifleimportantandurgentdebateandresearch.

Nuclearasasuitablealternativetofossilfuels?
AlthoughnucleardisasterssuchasChernobyl,orgeopoliticalissuessuchasIran28areoftencausefor
worrywhentalkingofusingnuclearenergy,recentyearshaveseenanemergentdebateaboutthepotential
thatnuclearenergyoffersasalargescalealternativetofossilfuelsinaworldwhereenergydemandsare
rapidlyincreasing.
Forsome,therisksassociatedwiththetechnologyaretoohighandrenewableenergyisfarsafer,andhas
highpotential.Forothers,nuclearisseenaseitheranunfortunaterealitythatwillbeessentialpartofthe
futuremixoranareathathasfurtherpotential.
WhenoneofthebiggestearthquakesonrecordfollowedbyadevastatingtsunamiaffectedJapan29 in
March2011,someoftheoldernuclearpowerreactorsatFukushimasufferedwhateventuallywasrealized
asanuclearmeltdown.Ofthenumerousissuesthatthedisasterraised,nuclearpolicybecameanissuein
manyplacesaroundtheworld.
Japansnuclearreactorsthatsufferedfromtheincrediblyhugeearthquakeweretheoldermodels.Nuclear
expertspointoutthatthenewerdesignsaremuchmorerobust.Manyarestillworriedhowever.Evenif
neweronesaremorerobust,ifanevenmorepowerfulearthquakedoesoccurthenarethosegoingtobe
safe?
CivilsocietystartedtodebatenuclearpowerinJapan30more.Japanhadabout30%ofitselectricityfrom
nuclearpowerandhadoriginallyplannedtoincreasethatto50%.However,giventhegrowingconcernsin
thewakeoftheimpactsatFukushima,inMay,Japanannouncedachangeinstrategy:abandonplansfor
halfofJapanselectricitytocomefromnuclearandinsteadlooktorenewablessuchassolarandwind
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energy .
Butthishasalsogototherregionsaroundtheworldthinkingabouttheirnuclearenergystrategies,too.
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Forexample,
ManycountriesinEuropehavebeenrethinkingnuclearpolicies32,InterPressService(IPS)notes.
Germanyinparticular(morebelow).France,morereliantonnuclearpowerthananyothercountry,
hassofarfeltnoneedtochangeitsnuclearpowerpolicythoughantinuclearvoicesaregrowing
louder.ThereareconcernsabouttheuseofnuclearpowerinseismiczonesinsomeEUcountries
suchasBulgaria,Romania,andSlovenia.
Italytheonlyleadingindustrializedcountrywithoutnuclearenergyalsosuspendeditsprevious
planstobuildnewnuclearpowerplants.
IPSalsonotedthattheEuropeanUnionannouncementthatitwillbecarryingoutstresstestsonall
143nuclearreactorsinoperationinthemembercountries.Thesetestscouldleadtoshuttingdown
severalnuclearpowerplants,ifneeded.
GermanyhasbeenprofoundlyaffectedbyFukushima,IPSalsoadds.
AftertheJapancatastrophe,some60,000peoplegatheredinanantinucleardemonstration
attheoldestnuclearpowerplant,inBerlin.Manythousandsdemonstratedonotherdays,
too.
Previousrulingpartieshaddecidedtophaseoutnuclearpower,butAngelaMerkels
governmenthadalwaysstateditwouldoverruleitifitcameintopoweranditdidsolast
September.
AnotherIPSreportnotesthatalargenumberofenvironmentalandenergyexpertshavesaid
thatGermanycoulddowithoutnuclearpowerbythemid2020sandgenerateallitselectricity
needsfromrenewablesby205033.
InmidMarch,Germanystunnedtheworldwhenannouncinganacceleratedphasingoutof
all17Germannuclearreactors34 asanimmediatereactiontotheFukushimadisasterinJapan.
Thechancellornowsaysshewantstoslashtheuseofcoal,speedupapprovalsforrenewable
energyinvestments,andreduceCO2emissionsdrastically.
(Perhapsitisnotassurprisingasitfirstseems,asbackin2009IPSnotedthathalfofall
GermanysnuclearreactorshadtechnicalproblemsatsomepointinJuly2009,failingto
provideanyelectricity,butGermanydidnotsufferanypowershortages35asitproduces
morethanituses.)
Francegets80%ofitselectricityfromnuclearpower,morethananyothernationintheworld.But
inthewakeofFukushima,theFrenchpress,traditionallyasupporterofnuclearpowernotedthatin
thepreviousyearalone,therewereover1,000accidentsofdifferentintensityintheFrancesatomic
36

powerplants. .Inaddition,severalFrenchnuclearpowerplantsarelocatedinseismiczonesasthe
previousIPSstorynotes.GivenFrancesdependencyonnuclearpower,itdefendstheuseofitfor
now.Agingpowerplantsarecomingundermorescrutinynow,however.Someexpertstherealso
believethatacombinationofturningtorenewals,whileaddressingwastefulandsuperfluous
consumptioncouldhelpreducenucleardependency.
37

TheUSisalsobeginningtodebateifitcouldhandleasimilarnucleardisaster .Itisalarge
producerofnuclearpower,andfornowhasputasidecallsforamoratoriumonnuclearpower
developmentinfavorstrengtheningandassuringthepublicofthesafetyofitsnuclearpowerplants.
38

PhilippinesPresidentBenignoAquinohasrejectedtheneedfornuclearenergyinhiscountry in
thewakeofthecrisisunfoldinginJapan.Aquinowantsagreaterpushtowardsnonnuclearenergy
sources,accordingtothePhilippinesmedia.ThesamearticlealsonotesthatChina,Thailandand
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IndonesiaareallbeingmorecautiousinlightoftheeventsinJapan.
Others,however,arestillinterestedingoingaheadwithnuclearpowerasmanycountriesstillseeitasa
waytoreducecarbonemissions.Australia,asamajoruraniumexporter,isthereforekeentocapitalizeon
39

thiscontinueddemandfornuclearpower .
AsIPSalsoadded,priortotheJapaneseradiationemergency,

Video:VillagersopposeIndiasnuclear

theIAEAanticipatedthatupto25countriesthatdonothavea

park ,AlJazeera,March20,2011

Villagers
oppo
40

nuclearpowerstationatpresentwouldhaveaccesstothe
technologyby2030.Howmanywillstillgoforit,andtowhatextentisofcourselessclearnow.Some
nationsstillinterestedintheoptiontoaggressivelyexpandnuclearpowerplants(thoughstillannouncing
41

42

morecaution)includeIndia ,Vietnam,andamuchmorecautiousThailandandIndonesia .
DuringtheinitialmediablitzaspeopleatFukushimaweregoingthroughvariousattemptstostabilizethe
situation,variousnuclearexpertsappearedontelevisionnotingthatnewerpowerplantsaremuchmore
modernthantheonessufferingthemostinFukushimaandthatinsomepartsoftheworldthatarenotin
earthquakezones,nuclearpowerremainsaviableoption.
rd

th

Thatbeingsaid,asTheGuardianhasimplied,ifthe3 and4 largesteconomiesintheworld(Japanand

Germany)canrethinknuclearpowertosuchanextentandentertainrenewablesatamuchlargerscale,
43

thenmaybesocanmanyothers .
ButasbytheIPCCreportmentionedearlier,thetransitiontorenewablesalsobringswithitchallenges,
includingtechnical,social,economic,politicalandgeopoliticalones.

Newresourcesforalternativeenergysameoldgeopolitics?
Automakersarelookingintothenextgenerationelectricorhybridcars.Themainresourceforthebattery
wouldbelithium,alreadyusedinsmallerelectronicdevicesandfarmoreefficientandlongerlastingthan
regularbatteries.
AlmosthalftheworldslithiumisfoundinBolivia,andasTheSeattleTimesnotes,Boliviaisreluctantto
giveuplithiumresourcestooeasily44 .
BoliviaandtheUShavehadthornyrelationsasthedemocraticallyelectedsocialistandindigenousleader,
45

EvoMorales,hasnationalizedoilandgascompanies ,muchtothedisappointmentoftheUS,andwith
generalsupportfromhispopulationasheattemptstoslowlydeveloptheextremelypoornation.
ThismeansthattheEuropeanUnionandJapanhavebeentryingtocourtBoliviainthehopestheycan
investinlithiumextraction.
ButasthisPBSvideohighlights,geopoliticsareagaintheconcernBoliviafearsthatotherswillexploitit
forrichresources,justasmostresourcerichnationshavebeenplundered/exploitedinthepast.Itmaybe
thatthistimetheexploitationmaynotbeasviolentasduringimperialandcolonialtimes,butresource
rich/economicallypoornationslikeBoliviaareunderstandablyhesitanttogiveupavaluableresource
withoutlocalbenefits.
SoitseemsthatBoliviaistryinghardtounderstandtheresourcemoreandpossiblydeveloplocalcapacity
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sothatitisnotjustarawresourceprovider,butcangofurtherandprocesstheresources,withmuchifnot
allproceedshelpinglocalpopulations:

Video:InBolivia,debateovernaturalresourcesrageson46 ,PBS,April17,2009
Hereisanadditionalvideo(inSpanish,withEnglishcaptioning)thatalsolooksatthisissue:
Video:AsCarsGoGreen,BoliviaHitstheJackpotwithLithium47,VideoJournalismMovement,
November5,2009

Localrenewableenergyreducesviolenceyetmaybeathreat
togovernments
Oneoftheinterestingaspectstoalternativestofossilfuelsisifanyofthosealternativescanbygenerated
bycitizensthemselvesorinmorelocalizedsettings,ratherthanrelyingongovernmentsormassive
industrytosupplysuchalternatives.
Ifthatweretohappen,itimpliesenormouspoliticalchange.Thisissummarizedquitewellbythefollowing
articlethatlooksattheimplicationofColdFusionbecomingreality(ignoringthedebateandcontroversy
aboutColdFusionclaimsforthemoment):
Suddenly,certainareasoftheworldthathavebuiltupeconomiesbasedonoilproduction
wouldbecomelessimportant.Theseareasmightsuffereconomically.However,itwould
takeaperiodoftimefortheworldtotransitiontoacoldfusionbasedeconomyandthese
nationswouldhaveyearstoprepare.
Thepowersthatbealsomightnotliketheideathatthistechnologycouldgive
individuals,communities,cities,states,andsmallcountriesenergyindependence.Cheap
energyrepresentsunlimitedwealthandwealthbringspower.Thepowersthatbedonot
likesharingpower.Atechnologythatcouldgivepeopletheabilitytoliveoffthegrid,
startselfsufficientcommunities,orliberatethemselvesfromoppressivecentral
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governmentsmightbeconsideredathreat.
Thistechnologyliterallygivespowertothepeople.Howwillthegovernmentsoftheworld
respondtothat?
48

HankMills,FutureImpactofRossisColdFusion ,PureEnergySystemsNews,February28,2011
Writingjustbeforethemideastunrest49 startedtotakeholdofmainstreamattentionatthebeginningof
2011,PhilChampainwroteinopenDemocracy.netthatcentralizedenergyproductioncontributesto
violenceandinstability:
Elitecaptureofoilandgasrevenueskeepspowerinthehandsofanunaccountablefewthe
withholdingofoilandgassuppliesenablessomestatestomanipulateothersandthe
extractionofresourcesissometimesonlypossibleiflargenumbersofpeopleareforcibly
movedfromtheirhomes.Theseandotherfactorscanleadtoviolenceandinstability,
inhibitingdevelopmentandsecurityforvulnerablecommunities.
Itisbynomeanscertainthatnew,largescalerenewableprojectswillbenefitthe
peaceanddevelopmentprospectsofcountriesalreadyexposedtovulnerability,conflict
andweakgovernance.
Thereare,bycomparison,smallscalerenewableenergyprojects,fromfarmbiogasto
minihydrotothermalsolarpower.[Solarpower]isessentiallylimitlessandso,ina
concentratedformunderlocalcontrolwithfallingcosts,becomesaffordable,accessible,
andlikelytoreducepressureswhichgiverisetoviolence.However,therelationship
betweensmallscalemodelsofenergyprovisionandtheabilityofstatesandcommunities
tomanagetensionandviolencealsoneedsfurtherresearchandexploration.
Nowisthetimetoexploretheselinks.

PhilChampain,Changingenergyprovisionapeacebuildingopportunity?50,openDemocracy.net,3
January2011
Andifthesealternativesarenotexplored?
Thecostofnottakingthisopportunityislikelytobeacontinuationofsystemsofenergy
provisionwhichprivilegethenorthernhemisphereoverthesouth,whichdenylarge
sectionsoftheworldspopulationaccesstoelectricityandotherformsofenergy,which
leavethepopulationsofconflictaffectedcountriesvulnerabletoauthoritarianmasters,
unenlightenedenergycompaniesandtheincreasinglyenergyhungrystatesofthenorth,
andwhichmakelittlecontributiontothegovernancechallengestheworldfaces.This
despitethekeyroleenergyplaysinthedevelopmentofoursocieties.
PhilChampain,Changingenergyprovisionapeacebuildingopportunity?51,openDemocracy.net,3
January2011
Itwasthoughtthattheglobalfinancialcrisis52andclimatechange53wasaperfectstormtokickstartan
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earnestlookintoalternativeenergy.Therehascertainlybeanincreaseinrecentyearsintothis,butnow
theunrestinthemiddleeast54 surelyaddstotheimportanceofthisissue.

MoreInformation
Manypeoplehaverecentlyaskedmetowriteaboutthistopic,andunfortunatelylackofsparetimehas
preventedmefromwritingaboutthissooner.Atthesametime,theaboveiswoefullyshortasthereis
muchmorethatcanbewritten.However,relatedissuesincludingmanyissuestoucheduponabovehave
beendiscussedonthissiteforsometime,sountilIgetsometimetowriteaboutthisimportanttopicin
moredepth,pleaseseethefollowingpagesandsections:

Wherenext?
Relatedarticles
1. ClimateChangeandGlobalWarmingIntroduction
2. UNFrameworkConventiononClimateChange
3. ReactionstoClimateChangeNegotiationsandAction
4. Actiononclimatechangeischeaperthaninaction
5. GlobalWarming,SpinandMedia
6. ClimateJusticeandEquity
7. ClimateChangeFlexibilityMechanisms
8. CarbonSinks,ForestsandClimateChange
9. ClimateChangeAffectsBiodiversity
10. GlobalWarmingandPopulation

OnlineSources:
(Notethatlistedhereareonlythosehyperlinkstootherarticlesfromotherwebsitesorelsewhereonthis
website.Othersourcessuchasjournal,booksandmagazines,arementionedaboveintheoriginaltext.
Pleasealsonotethatlinkstoexternalsitesarebeyondmycontrol.Theymightbecomeunavailable
temporarilyorpermanentlysinceyoureadthis,dependingonthepoliciesofthosesites,whichIcannot
unfortunatelydoanythingabout.)
1. GlobalIssues:FreeTradeandGlobalization,Lastupdated:Sunday,March24,2013,
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/38/freetradeandglobalization
2. http://en.jyskebank.tv/012869756391072/oilandthedeathofglobalization
3. GlobalIssues:GlobalFinancialCrisis,Lastupdated:Sunday,March24,2013,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/768/globalfinancialcrisis
4. GlobalIssues:ControlofResourcesSupportingDictators,RiseofTerrorism,Lastupdated:
Monday,December30,2002,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/260/controlofresourcessupportingdictatorsriseof
terrorism
5. GlobalIssues:NigeriaandOil,Lastupdated:Thursday,June10,2010,
http://www.globalissues.org/print/article/595

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http://www.globalissues.org/article/86/nigeriaandoil
6. GlobalIssues:IraqCrisis,Lastupdated:Wednesday,August01,2007,
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/104/iraqcrisis
7. GlobalIssues:Iran,Lastupdated:Tuesday,December06,2011,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/696/iran
8. GlobalIssues:Media,PropagandaandVenezuela,Lastupdated:Saturday,September02,2006,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/403/mediapropagandaandvenezuela
9. MichaelKlare,'TwoFacesofanEmergingEnergofascism(Part2)',TomDispatch.com,January
2007,
http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=157744
10. MartineBulard,'Indiasboundlessambitions',LeMondediplomatique,January2007,
http://mondediplo.com/2007/01/02india
11. MichaelKlare,'TheGlobalEnergyRaceandItsConsequences(Part1)',TomDispatch.com,January
2007,
http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=157241
12. GlobalIssues:ConsumptionandConsumerism,Lastupdated:Sunday,January05,2014,
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/235/consumptionandconsumerism
13. GlobalIssues:GlobalWarmingandPopulation,Lastupdated:Sunday,December05,2010,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/708/globalwarmingandpopulation
14. GlobalIssues:ClimateJusticeandEquity,Lastupdated:Sunday,January08,2012,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/231/climatejusticeandequity
15. http://www.cseindia.org/
16. http://www.cseindia.org/html/cmp/climate/ew/index.htm
17. GlobalIssues:HumanPopulation,Lastupdated:Thursday,June13,2002,
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/198/humanpopulation
18. GlobalIssues:ConsumptionandConsumerism,Lastupdated:Sunday,January05,2014,
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/235/consumptionandconsumerism
19. GlobalIssues:HermannScheer:BigEnergysLastStand,Posted:Wednesday,October03,2007,
http://www.globalissues.org/video/746/hermannscheerbigenergyslaststand
20. http://www.bigpicture.tv/videos/watch/6da9003b7
21. 'Chinaawardsmassivenucleardeal',BBC,December17,2006,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6187491.stm
22. 'USapprovesIndiannucleardeal',December9,2006,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6219998.stm
23. http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010/11/iealastyearsinactiononclimategoalscostus1
trillion.ars
24. GlobalIssues:GlobalFinancialCrisis,Lastupdated:Sunday,March24,2013,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/768/globalfinancialcrisis
25. http://www.ncwarn.org/?p=2290
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternativelocations:
Actualreport
http://www.ncwarn.org/wpcontent/uploads/2010/07/NCWSolarReport_final1.pdf
CoverageandfurtherdetailsfromtheNewYorkTimes
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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/business/global/27ihtrenuke.html
26. http://srren.ipccwg3.de/report/srrenspmfd4
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternativelocations:
http://www.unep.org/pdf/SRREN_FD_SPM_approved_plenary_v_03_final.pdf
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/09/ipccrenewableenergypower
world
27. GlobalIssues:APrimeronNeoliberalism,Lastupdated:Sunday,August22,2010,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/39/aprimeronneoliberalism
28. GlobalIssues:Iran,Lastupdated:Tuesday,December06,2011,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/696/iran
29. GlobalIssues:JapanEarthquake,TsunamiandNuclearCrisis,Created:Wednesday,April06,
2011,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/794/japanearthquaketsunaminuclear
30. SuvendriniKakuchi,'Japan:CivilSocietyGainingGroundFollowingQuake',InterPressService,
April21,2011,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55342
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/04/21/9362
31. 'Japantoscrapnuclearpowerinfavourofrenewables',AssociatedPress/Guardian,May10,2011,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/10/japannuclearrenewables
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternativelocations:
SuvendriniKakuchi,'JapanVeersAwayFromNuclearEnergy',InterPressService,May11,
2011
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55587
AlternativelocationfortheInterPressServicestory
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/05/11/9600
32. JulioGodoy,'FukushimaForcesEuropetoRethinkNuclearEnergy',April1,2011,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55101
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
/news/2011/04/01/9131
33. JulioGodoy,'JapanAtomicWoesTriggerPolicyReviewInGermany',InterPressService,March14,
2011,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54841
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/03/14/8876
34. ChristianSchwgerl,'HowAngelaMerkelbecameGermany'sunlikelygreenenergychampion',The
Guardian,May9,2011,
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/09/angelamerkelgreenenergy
35. JulioGodoy,'NuclearPowerFails,AndNobodyNotices',InterPressService,July31,2009,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47909
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2009/07/31/2360
36. JulioGodoy,'JapansNuclearNightmareArousesFrenchFears',InterPressService,March17,
2011,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54879
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/03/17/8915
37. AndreaLunt,'U.S.NukePlantSafetyQuestionedInWakeOfJapaneseDisaster',InterPress
Service,March15,2011,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54852
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/03/15/8888
38. MarwaanMacanMarkar,'SoutheastAsia:DespiteJapansCrisis,VietnamAimstoWinRegions
NuclearRace',InterPressService,March22,2011,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54956
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/03/22/8983
39. StephendeTarczynski,'Australia:PushingUraniumExportsDespiteJapaneseCrisis',InterPress
Service,March29,2011,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55052
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/03/29/9080
40. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPUl50uUw
41. RanjitDevraj,'India:FukushimaWontStopWorldsLargestNuclearFacility',InterPressService,
April28,2011,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55432
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/04/28/9449
42. MarwaanMacanMarkar,'SoutheastAsia:DespiteJapansCrisis,VietnamAimstoWinRegions
NuclearRace',InterPressService,March22,2011,
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http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54956
Note,iftheabovelinkhasexpired,pleasetrythefollowingalternative
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/03/22/8983
43. DamianCarrington,'Nuclearpower:IfJapanandGermanydon'tneedit,whydoesanyone?',The
Guardian,May11,2011,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damiancarringtonblog/2011/may/11/nuclear
renewablesjapangermany
44. SimonRemero,'Bolivia:TheSaudiArabiaofLithium?SeattleTimes,February3,2009,
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008700362_lithium03.html
45. 'BolivianPresidentEvoMoralesonIndigenousRights',DemocracyNow!,September26,2007,
http://www.democracynow.org/2007/9/26/bolivian_president_evo_morales_on_indigenous
46. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/video/share.html?s=news01s24cbq8a7
47. http://www.vjmovement.com/truth/415
48. http://pesn.com/2011/02/28/9501774_Future_Impact_of_Rossis_Cold_Fusion/
49. GlobalIssues:MiddleEastandNorthAfricaUnrest,Lastupdated:Thursday,May12,2011,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/792/mideastnorthafricaunrest
50. http://www.opendemocracy.net/philchampain/changingenergyprovision%E2%80%93
peacebuildingopportunity
51. http://www.opendemocracy.net/philchampain/changingenergyprovision%E2%80%93
peacebuildingopportunity
52. GlobalIssues:GlobalFinancialCrisis,Lastupdated:Sunday,March24,2013,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/768/globalfinancialcrisis
53. GlobalIssues:ClimateChangeandGlobalWarming,Lastupdated:Monday,February02,2015,
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/178/climatechangeandglobalwarming
54. GlobalIssues:MiddleEastandNorthAfricaUnrest,Lastupdated:Thursday,May12,2011,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/792/mideastnorthafricaunrest
byAnupShah
Created:Saturday,April01,2006
LastUpdated:Sunday,May15,2011

LivelifesimplysothatothersmaysimplyliveGandhi
Copyright19982015

DocumentRevisionHistory
Date

Reason

May15,

Addedasmallnoteaboutrenewableenergyasareasonablepercentofglobalenergysources,

2011

andanewsectiononnuclearoptionespeciallyinwakeoftheJapandisaster

March6,

Addedasectiononthepoliticalimplicationsofalternativeenergysolutionsthatcouldbe

2011

generateddirectlybypeopleratherthangovernmentsandindustry

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2011
December
11,2010
August8,
2010
November
20,2009
May4,
2009
October3,
2007

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generateddirectlybypeopleratherthangovernmentsandindustry
Addedsectionandvideoonoilsrelationshiptoglobalization
Addedsmallnotethatsolarpowerisgettingtobecheaperthannuclearpower
AddedanadditionalvideoaboutBoliviaslithiumreserves
AddedasectiononBoliviasconcernaboutexploitationforitslargelithiumreserves
AddedashortvideoclipfromHermannScheerwhoarguesthatthereasonwhymanystill
thinkrenewableenergycannotreplacefossilandnuclearpowerisbecausethoseworkingin
theseindustrieshavemadeeffortstopropagatethenotion.

February

Addedabitaboutapossiblenewgeopoliticalcoldwarbasedonenergysecurityofcurrentand

1,2007

emergingpowers

December Smallupdateontheincreasinginterestinnuclearpowerasanalternativetofossilfuelbased
17,2006

energy

Thisprintversionhasbeenautogeneratedfrom
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