Israel-US Conflict with Iran Spurs Global Shift Toward Renewable Energy
Following the recent conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, both Israel and the US set very specific war objectives, including dismantling Iran's nuclear threat, curbing its ballistic missile capabilities, and toppling its regime. Although these goals remain uncertain, the conflict forced Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, causing a sharp rise in oil prices and severe fuel shortages across many Asian countries.
This energy crisis accelerated the global transition to renewable energy, a process previously progressing slowly in various regions. For example, the Philippines doubled its solar energy development plans aiming for 50% renewable energy by 2040. Ethiopia banned the import and sale of fuel-powered vehicles, boosting electric car sales to 6% of the market. Ghana and Nigeria set ambitious targets to reduce fossil fuel consumption by over half in the coming years. Vietnam saw electric vehicle sales surge by over 120% in some months, with 40% of cars sold now electric. Chinese companies have benefited significantly from increased demand for electric vehicles and solar panels.
In Europe, the European Union launched a multi-year action plan promoting local energy sales and tax incentives, while France committed to phasing out oil, coal, and gas by 2050 in favor of renewable energy. This energy crisis, following the war in Ukraine, has undermined global confidence in fossil fuel supply chains.
In contrast, Israel, despite abundant sunshine and a small land area, lags behind in renewable energy adoption. Electric vehicles constitute less than 5% of the market, and solar energy accounts for only about 7% of consumption. This is mainly due to inconsistent subsidies, bureaucratic hurdles for solar projects, and military land restrictions. Additionally, monopolistic control by gas companies and infrastructure owners slows the energy transition.
The author, a physical geography PhD, concludes that while Israel and the US have dealt a significant blow to fossil fuels through their conflict with Iran, the global energy shift requires stronger policy changes, especially in the US, to be truly effective. The ongoing battle to save the planet demands urgent action from all nations.
