October 28 - Integral Development: Energy and the Environment

The countries of the Americas face challenges in providing secure, reliable, and affordable energy to all segments of the population.  Further, the links between carbon emissions and environmental impacts – both climate change and pollution – are increasingly evident, leading to questions about environment-induced migration and even conflict. Yet alternative energy sources such as wind or hydro power may contribute to solving some of the problems associated with fossil fuel use. Alternative energy sources could change the way we work, live and organize our societies in the Americas. The leaders of the hemisphere at the Fifth Summit of the Americas held in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009, agreed to reinforce the inter-American policy dialogue in a multilateral forum provided by the OAS through the Sustainable Energy Partnership. This theme will discuss how to reduce the impact our energy use patterns have on our environment, and therefore on our social systems.