The special report that follows on the next 20 pages is not just about renewable energy, but in that particular respect Macau needs to stop wasting time: in terms of energy supply, we are basically no different today as we were 20 or 30 years ago, importing nearly 100%.
The terms climate change, reduction of emissions and waste, sustainability and energy transition goals, have all become part of our daily language.
But when it comes to walking the talk, Macau seems to be headed in the opposite direction from many places around the world, including Mainland China, which has taken decisive steps in the right direction.
If it’s certainly not for lack of financial resources, could it be the absence of the right conditions?
As the reader will discover, plenty of specialists believe Macau has excellent conditions for solar energy, as well as for offshore wind farms in the Region’s own 85 km2 of territorial waters.
Along with talk of green energy comes pollution (particularly the unwieldy problem of solid waste), recycling, the impact of tourism and our relationship with the region around us (the Greater Bay Area). We end with another warning that can’t be repeated too often: be worried about a rise in sea level; Macau is very exposed.
P.S.: The impact of sea-level-rise on Macau is in fact one of the issues driving Portuguese concept artist and illustrator Ricardo Lima, who exhibited his sci-fi work MO2049 last year at the Taipa Village Cultural Association. This special report is illustrated with images by Ricardo Lima, to whom we are grateful for the collaboration.
