Our planet is not short of campaigns, recommendations or knowledge when it comes to use of renewable sources of energy such as solar or wind.  In this article, I would like to focus on the factors influencing the use of renewable energy and prescribing solutions where possible.  We have witnessed in the past several companies and organizations including NGOs that embraced renewables as the sole source of energy of the future.  Some examples that stand out from Europe show the advantages of switching to renewable energy sources.  In India, the scenario is still dominated by fossil or petroleum products that account for approximately 50% of energy sources. 

The renewables including solar and wind only find a tiny portion of 5.6% in the overall energy production.  This cannot be classified as ?non-awareness? but it points to the lack of drive within the system that propels their usage.  For example, the governmental incentives for switching to renewable energy sources should become more transparent and the investors should be able to reap the benefits in short term.  In the present scenario, the benefits are expected to be realized in excess of 15 plus years, which is a very long term. 

For these initiatives to be successful, there should be a clear agenda on the table.  For example, a certain percentage of the energy consumed in every household should be accounted towards renewable sources.   Similarly, the government should have a clear agenda that for every state there is accountability on renewable power generation.   India being on the equator there is no dearth of sunlight and vacant land area.  These non-cultivable vacant land should be used for harnessing solar energy and this should become a mandate rather than an option.   The renewable energy use should be directly linked to savings in taxable income for all citizens and industries.

Such initiatives when implemented with interest and dedication have resulted in very good yield and in places where governmental initiatives were enforced have seen success to a large extent.  The factors that prevent organizations to delay or not pursue renewables may primarily be attributed to the lack of support from the governments and private sectors.  The other factor that adds to the reduced usage of renewables is the excessive supply of fossil fuels which should be reduced if alternate options should see some level of success. 

In the capital city of India, New Delhi for example, there is clear evidence of intense pollution and this have been reported a decade or two before in all leading newspapers or journals.  There have been several cases of hospitalization due to the poisonous nature of air in such cities.  However, there is no force behind this issue that would help drive this as the top agenda for government.  This simply has not been successful or rather not taken seriously by the mass as the core issue deciding the future of a nation in particular and our planet in general.    And we have witnessed the effects due to fossil fuels in the form of climate changes, pollution, diseases and improper waste disposals, etc.  These may be seen as voice of the nature which should not be ignored.

If the voice is ignored, our future generations would pay a huge price in terms of further loss of biological species and more destruction due to climatic changes.  In respect of our recent Paris climate resolution, it is critical that the importance of switching to renewables is pursued both by the governments and citizens alike.