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Thank you to all of the members who contributed to our first e-discussion!

We had many commentators forwarding their viewpoints on the current energy crisis and its effects on South Asia. It was evidenced how pressing the issues are, and how we need to act with urgency, communicating key messages and practices to a wide audience - ranging from students, communities, technocrats and policy makers.

Below is a summary of the key ideas that were discussed:

Our work in the energy sector must take into consideration two fundamental issues: 1) There is a large population in South Asia that has no access to basic energy, and therefore needs priority attention 2) there is a small but wealthy population within the same region that consumes the majority of the power that is generated.

Suggestions raised –
a) develop, use and invest in alternate energy sources (preferably RE generated using the resources we have in the Region)
b) promote reduction and conservation of energy through effective energy management
c) more government investment and commitment to mitigating energy poverty
d) intergovernmental cooperation within the Region
e) Private sector partnerships which have benefits over loans from International Financing Institutions that carry heavy interest.

Other key points:

* Energy Equity – Equity in energy implies reaching a sustainable level of energy usage by all. This means we need to provide sufficient access to poor communities and also reduce demand by high energy users.

* Setting a per capita minimum energy requirement - There is a need to have clear indicators to identify the ‘energy poor’ and targets and strategies to provide them with energy access to meet basic needs.

* What do we mean by development? Is the current crisis due to a cultural factor, people’s expectations and the existing energy use patterns? We are perhaps heading in the wrong direction with ‘development’, and should learn how to live with less energy. A counter argument was that our countries still need energy to keep up with industrialization to secure jobs for the poor. While development in the Region is a must, a concern was raised on whether RE can provide price-competitive energy alternatives.

* A common grid for South Asia was recommended for consideration by the SAARC leaders. However, South Asian countries need to first provide ‘energy access for all’ within their own borders, before channeling energy outside.

* Caution on current and future Research & Development was made, with recommendations for R&D to concentrate on promoting energy efficient lifestyles and environmentally friendly technologies rather than high energy consuming technologies.

* Social scientists’ inputs are essential to the energy debate to help us understand energy issues from the perspectives of politics, international relations, globalization, global governance, sociology and psychology etc.

Important messages:

* Energy is not only about electricity – ‘energy’ also means access to food, clean water, education, and medical care etc.

* Do not wait until others begin to save energy. Begin by changing your own practice, today.

* We need to educate younger generations on energy and environment, and pass on sustainable technologies and efficient energy usage to them as soon as possible.

* We need proper Leadership and collaboration to deal with the energy crisis. We should set targets for the whole region, to plan and act collectively. Let us attempt to pass on our message to the SAARC leaders at the next summit to be held in August 2008 in Sri Lanka.

Thank you once again for your valued contributions. Let's keep in touch!