PRESS RELEASE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY NGO RENEWABLE ENERGY SUMMIT May 20-21, 1994 New York, USA Issues Related to Fulfilment of Agricultural Needs From 20-21 May 1994 the Non Government Organisations (NGOs) from around the world met in New York to discuss issues of sustainable development and the interlinkages to renewable energy technologies. This activity was co-ordinated by the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), and sponsored by a number of organisations, such as the International Fund for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation, the Swedish International Development Authority, United States Agency for International Development, US Department of Energy and the World Resources Institute. The NGO Renewable Energy Summit is part of the International Solar Energy Society's ISES 2000 Initiative. The main objectives of this Initiative are to: Influence the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) to more seriously address the impact of energy use within the context of the CSD agenda. Raise awareness amongst the NGO community and governments about the benefits and potentials of renewable energy technologies, and how they can operate to assist in programme delivery for national and global issues of sustainable population growth. The ISES NGO Summit drew attention to the critically important connections between renewable energy and sustainable development. In doing so, it built upon the extensive knowledge and experience which major NGOs from around the world bring to the environmental and development issues central to the CSD and Agenda 21. The issues discussed were not solely renewable energy, but also on the issues related to fulfilment of agricultural needs which impact upon energy requirements and are impacted upon by the supply of energy. The western model of agriculture is high-capital, energy-intensive and resource-depleting. This results in: natural resource depletion breakdown of biological systems loss of biodiversity soil and plant health problems increased pest resistance inhumane treatment of livestock off-site damage from chemical and nutrient run-offs reduced reliance of natural systems problems of food security deterioration of rural communities crop losses due to air and water pollution In many areas where agricultural traditions have been destroyed, non-sustainable practices have been adopted. There is often unequal access to water and many people do not have access to energy. Meeting energy needs contributes to deforestation, although the primary cause is land clearing for the purposes of agriculture. Given present population projects, food production must increase by 50% in Africa, Asia and South America and decrease in most western economies. Agricultural sustainability is achieved when food production systems are economically viable, ecologically sound, culturally appropriate, socially just and are based on a holistic approach to science. They work with nature and within the limits of natural resources. Mr Roger Blobaum, World Sustainable Agriculture Association, said `We support adoption of food production systems that conserve and improve biological life and physical properties of the soil, recycle all agriculture wastes, conserve energy, maximise the use of locally-available renewable energy resources and require a minimum of external and purchased inputs. These systems respect the ecological principles of biodiversity and interdependence, and use modern science to enhance rather than displace the traditional wisdom built up over centuries by farmers around the world. It is possible with these production system to produce food indefinitely without depleting either land or people, and to do so with little or no non-renewable energy inputs.' Renewable energy technologies can reduce the need for fuel by providing power for water pumping for irrigation and stock watering (as well as household supplies). Solar energy can be used to grow food in greenhouses, and to dry fruit and vegetables suitable for sale in local and international markets. Commenting in the Opening Address, Christine Ervin, Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy stated `using renewable energy is analogous to the practice of living off the Earth's interest rather than the capital.' Participating NGOs on issues related to fulfilling agricultural needs included Institute of Organic Farming (Kenya), Land and Agriculture Centre (South Africa), World Sustainable Agriculture Assication (USA), Winrock International (USA), Salvation Ecological Newspaper (Russia), Environmental Policy & Management (South Africa), Netherlands Committee for IUCN, Earth Savers Population Communications International (Philippines), President's Council on Sustainable Development (USA) FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jenniy Gregory, ISES, UK: Tel. 44-734-73 0073, Fax. 44-734-730820 National Section, ISES, NOTES: 1. The International Solar Energy Society (ISES) was formed in 1954, as a non-profit organisation, to provide a forum for scientific exchange in the field of solar energy. It is an accredited Non-Government Organisation (NGO) with the United Nations Economic & Social Committee (ECOSOC), and is widely regarded as the foremost global organisation promoting the development and utilization of renewable energies. ISES is now active in over 105 countries world-wide. Its membership includes eminent scientists and researchers, plus many other professionals who are active within the field of renewable energies. It also has members from industry and other private and public organisations. 2. The NGO Renewable Energy Summit was the first in a series of events which are aimed to impact upon the CSD and national governments. Through ISES's new regional offices, further conferences are planned for South Africa, Europe (Greece) and South America (Argentina). These conferences will draw from the conclusions and insights emerging from the NGO Summit in order to identify actions of regional consequence. 3. Technologies which are directly or indirectly fuelled by the sun and which minimise the consequences of energy use can provide sustainable solutions for the supply of energy in both industrialised and developing countries. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies have many applications world-wide, and provide an immediate and sustainable way of providing power for uses such as telecommunications, homes, hospitals and health centres in developing countries. Solar drying techniques can be used to dry fruit and vegetables. Solar stills provide fresh water. Solar cookers do not emit pollution or contribute to forest degradation. Clean solar systems can be designed to contribute to the electricity grid (such as PV architecturally integrated into buildings; large centralised solar power stations; landfill gasifiers), power electric vehicles; and provide heat for industrial and domestic applications. In all regions, solar architecture can provide comfortable buildings which are inexpensive to heat and cool and which are comfortable to live and/or work in. 4. The ISES 2000 Initiative, Initiatives of ISES & Recommendations to the CSD is available upon request. Photographs and slides of renewable energy technologies are also available. 5. ISES does not consider large scale hydro-electric power plants to be sustainable or renewable, as they take up vast amounts of land, often displace local peoples, destroy the local environment and effect ecological changes in the land around them and downstream.