Both national security and the economy depend on stable access to energy resources

January 30, 2024

Maria Tiemchenko, Winner of the Essay Contest by the USAID ESP

Essay of the Winner of the Contest, Maria Tiemchenko

The energy security of Ukraine is a state in which the country can provide reliable access to energy resources, such as oil, gas, coal, nuclear energy, etc. These resources are necessary to ensure economic activity, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and state institutions and defense functioning.

Strengthening Ukraine’s energy security is essential for the country and me personally (as a student studying ecology). Which one exactly?

In today’s world, production depends on access to energy resources. In the event of a lack of energy, there may be a shutdown of production, leading to a sharp increase in costs, unemployment, and a threat to economic stability. Therefore, a reliable supply of energy is a necessary guarantee for ensuring the growth and prosperity of the national economy.

Preservation of the natural environment, ensuring sustainable and ecologically clean production, and conscious energy consumption contribute to reducing the negative impact on the environment, switching to renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving the quality of air and water resources. Developing renewable energy sources and green technologies creates new opportunities for innovation and ecologically oriented jobs, which can be important for young environmentalists and researchers like me.

Increasing energy efficiency helps reduce energy consumption, and Ukraine’s participation in international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the state of the environment is an essential component of global environmental responsibility.

How can I strengthen Ukraine’s energy security? Practice energy-saving habits and involve your environment in this process; learn more about energy efficiency and practice rational energy consumption. As a citizen of Ukraine, I should be more responsible about voting in elections, pay attention to candidates who support the strengthening of energy security and the development of renewable energy sources. On this issue, I, as an environmental student, should focus my research on energy efficiency problems and follow energy innovations. Join organizations promoting sustainable development, collaborate with other specialists and students, and develop projects aimed at the energy security and raise public awareness about conscious energy consumption.

Therefore, energy security is necessary for a country’s stability, prosperity, and national security. Strengthening energy security requires joint efforts to create a more sustainable and ecologically clean future for Ukraine.