The International Renewable Energy Agency was created to promote the adoption of renewable energy worldwide. It has the goal to create renewable energy technology usage throughout the world to help the planet and the environment. Officially created on January 26, 2009, the agency suffers from a noticeable problem.
Even though 75 nations have joined the agency, including most of Europe, several nations have not, as can be seen from this picture. Sadly, the nations that have not just happen to be the biggest polluters on the entire planet. The United States, United Kingdom, Japan, China, Australia and Canada have all decided not to become members of IRENA. China is the largest polluter of greenhouse gases on the planet, followed by the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom. Australia is one of the top per capita emitters of greenhouse gases, as is Canada. Russia, most of Africa, Mexico and the large portion of the Middle East are all not members of the organization either. It could be estimated that those who have not signed onto IRENA account for at least half of the world’s emissions, if not three-quarters.
Some countries, like the United Kingdom do support IRENA but have expressed concern that the organization will be more concerned with putting out papers, than actually working for a renewable energy solution, as well as installation.
If the world is going to rebuild through the problems of global warming, then it is going to take the efforts of the entire world, especially the larger greenhouse gas emitters. If South Africa chooses not to sign onto an agreement like this, it is unfortunate but it is not the end of the world. However, when huge greenhouse gas emitters like the United States, China, Russia, Canada, Japan and more do not sign on, it is a serious blow to the entire process of trying to push renewable energy. We have to stop thinking that it is an “us and them” problem. It is a problem for the entire world and the entire world needs to come together to fix it, even if it means joining an organization that may put out more papers than push for renewable energy solutions through action.
