Curbing terrorism with renewable energy -US and Middle East study-

by: Muhammad Mufti Azis

Introduction.
Reliance to renewable energy can be one primary key to fight terrorism. The issue of terrorism has developed rapidly to be a serious obstacle for achieving sustainable development. Since the 9/11 tragedy, terrorism has become a shocking issue and grow a despair to the world peace.

Definition of terrorism is “the systematic use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective”. [1] Generally, terrorism is commonly adopted by nationalist organization, political parties, religious groups, revolutionaries and state institution to achieve their organization’s goal. Historically, during French revolution in 1790, the “terror” term was used extensively by revolutionaries against their opponents. [1]

Sustainable development and renewable energy
One of the pillars of sustainability development is reliance on renewable energy. Among of many alternatives energy, solar and wind energy is becoming the most prospective solution to replace fossil fuel in generating electricity. US Department of Energy reported 76% of total world energy (2004) is supplied by fossil fuel. Recently, USA consumes 25% of global oil production. From this value, total oil imported to US is about 60% where 25% of total oil imported is from Middle East. [6] [7]

Renewable energy is a promising prospect. However, the challenge of finding alternative energy will take approximately 50-75 years. [7] Fortunately, through Solar America Initiative (SAI), US has plotted a long term goal at 2015 in the developing of solar energy (Photo Voltaic (PV) cell). By 2015, SAI will provide 5-10 gigawatts of new electric capacity (enough to power 1-2 million homes) in the US grid. It results in avoiding 10 million metric tons per year of CO2 emission and employs 30,000 new workers in the PV industry.[11] In line with US, European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) projected 61% supply of generating electricity from renewable energy sources during 2011-2020 where wind energy gives the largest contribution. [2]

Trade-off
Middle East has the biggest oil reserve in the world. Unfortunately, this region is known as instable area because of war and many other conflicts. The wars in some countries trigger radical groups (as a seed of terrorist group) grow rapidly. Furthermore, in some countries this condition is undermined by lack of education and poverty problems.

Due to dependence on oil, US has political interest in Middle East. Amid the relentless conflict in Middle East, US presence can lead to anti-america cynicism. Some of radical groups are disappointed and or have different orientation with US policy in the Middle East. As a result, radical groups will inevitably use terrorism as a tool against US presence. [4] [6]

Meanwhile, terrorist financing is tied to oil party in Middle East. For instance, Saudi Arabia earned almost US$ 55 billion from crude oil exports in 2002. With the huge amount of money, it is vulnerable for terrorist to practice money laundering. In other word, Western (especially US) is trapped and entangled with “fuelling” terror itself. Further enrichment to Middle East exporter countries will continue terrorist group to have access build its financial network. [5]

In addition, Moisi, French international relations expert, sketches current world as a “clash of emotion” where the West displays a culture of fear, Arab and Moslem trapped to culture of humiliation, and much of Asia shows culture of hope. Culture of humiliation is then gradually becomes culture of hatred (by misinterpretation of religious belief). [8] As we know, this unfortunate phenomenon is resulting in bad impacts both for the West and Moslem. In fact, peace over this conflict is an important focus to achieve sustainable society.

War against terrorism
In order to achieve peace in the world, curbing terrorism becomes a main issue of global security. Every country in the world states global war against terrorism. It has been performed as military action, joint security agreements and even negotiation. Military action, for example, is practiced by US military and allies for attacking “terrorist cell” in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sadly, peace resulted from military action is only temporal and can lead revenge from the lose party. In other word, military action is not a “prudent” solution and ineffective way to eradicate terrorist group.

Many countries reinforce joint agreement through either United Nation (UN) or regional security committee. UN resolution of Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy was agreed by all Member States on 8 September 2006. The resolution covers whole aspect of terrorism, includes practical steps to prevent and combat terrorism. Those practical steps are ranging from strengthening state capacity up to better coordination under United Nations. [10]

Negotiation has been practiced by many countries as it doesn’t cost much for human kind and it will not destabilize their homeland political system. However, obstacle of negotiation for many countries is that negotiating with terrorist is regarded to decrease their integrity in front of the world. Traditional terrorist who aspires for nationalism and separatism has potential to be a constructive counterpart. On the other hand, nihilistic terrorist who have “absolute” (even apocalyptic) goals, for instance Al Qaeda, might be difficult to compromise since violence has become their self realization. [9]

Given such unfortunate condition, US should use the “different approach” to compromise with nihilistic terrorist, for instance Al Qaeda, instead of military action. The “different approach” is defined as developing renewable energy sources which can result on reducing dependence on oil. There is no guarantee a hundred percent if the “different approach” method can annihilate terrorism in the world, however it is hoped that it can minimize terrorism practice in the world. There are too many innocent victims of terrorism, but don’t make more victims in combating terrorism.

Remarks

From the explanation above, there are at least four points:
1. Dependence on nonrenewable energy sources makes US becomes vulnerable target of terrorist. Pursuit of alternative energy sources is considerably important to minimize terrorist attack.[3] [6]
2. Renewable energy, especially solar and wind, has grown rapidly in US and Europe. In future, these renewable energy are promising better future.
3. Military action is not the best way to get rid of terrorism and negotiation should be considered as first priority to deal with terrorist.
4. Joint security organization will unite the world to have same perception and responsibility to against terrorism.

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood” (Marie Curie)

References
1. Encyclopedia Britannica. Terrorism.
URL: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9071797/terrorism [opened 2007-09-20]
2. European Renewable Energy Council. Renewable Energy Target for Europe 20% by 2020.
URL: http://www.wind-energie.de/fileadmin/dokumente/Themen_A-Z/Europa/EREC_Targets_2020.pdf [opened 2007-09-20]
3. Gunter, Jr., Michael. Fighting the War on Terrorism with More Sustainable Development.
URL: http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p69649_index.html [opened 2007-09-20]
4. Haass, Richard N. The New Middle East. November/ December 2006.
URL: http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20061101faessay85601-p30/richard-n-haass/the-new-middle-east.html [opened 2007-09-20]
5. IAGS. Fuelling terror. URL: http://www.iags.org/fuelingterror.html [opened 2007-09-20]
6. Luft, Gal, and Korin, Anne. Terror’s next target. URL: http://www.iags.org/n1216041.htm
[opened 2007-09-20]
7. Miller, Jr., G.Tyler. Living in the environment-Principles, Connections, and Solution. 2006.
International Student Edition. 15th edition. Thomson-Brooks/Cole
8. Moisi, Dominique. The Clash of Emotion. January/ February 2007.
URL: http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070101facomment86102/dominique-moisi/the-clash-of-
emotions.html [opened 2007-09-20]
9. Neumann, Peter R. Negotiating with Terrorist. January/February 2007.
URL:http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070101faessay86110/peter-r-neumann/negotiating-with- terrorists.html [opened 2007-09-20]
10. United Nation. UN Action To Counter TERRORISM.
URL: http://www.un.org/terrorism/strategy-counter-terrorism.html [opened 2007-09-20]
11. US Department of Energy. Solar America Initiative.
URL: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_america/about.html [opened 2007-09-20]