Recently, Donald Trump addressed how the UN’s renewable energy mandate falls short for developing countries. He pointed out that renewable sources like wind and solar lack the strength necessary for significant industrial growth, which is essential for lifting nations out of poverty. Trump emphasized the urgent need for Europe to manage both unchecked immigration and misguided energy policies that contribute to it.
In his remarks, Trump asserted that renewable energy doesn’t provide enough power to boost national greatness. He urged European leaders to take decisive actions against both rampant immigration and ineffective energy solutions before it’s too late.
There’s some validity in Trump’s connection between these seemingly unrelated issues. The UN’s push for green energy has, in a way, contributed to the current migration challenges faced globally.
The UN could enact real change by permanently disbanding the Net Zero Banking Alliance, which pressures financial institutions to halt funding for fossil fuels in developing countries. While this Alliance is currently inactive, its climate policies push banks to set ambitious targets in line with the Paris Agreement, ultimately favoring green energy over essential economic development.
Similarly, the World Bank discourages funding for fossil fuels and nuclear projects, despite promoting renewable energies. This strategy overlooks a fundamental issue: poverty, not climate change, poses the greatest risk to humanity. This is a point emphasized in a recent climate report from the US Department of Energy, though it’s not likely the UN will embrace it.
Restricting access to reliable energy sources hampers progress in Africa and Latin America and may propel migration towards Europe and North America. If the West truly aims to alleviate the transition burdens, it ought to facilitate rather than obstruct energy infrastructure that can foster economic growth.
The implications of these financial restrictions are dire. Without funding for essential energy projects, countries in emerging economies face a lack of power. Meanwhile, China continues to secure loans while leveraging strategic assets as collateral. Such an energy blockade threatens economic stability, maintains poverty, and drives citizens to seek better fortunes elsewhere.
Consider the statistics from 2020: 11 million Africans lived in Europe, while another 5 million were in Asia and 3 million found their way to North America. Meanwhile, 25 million Latin Americans resided in North America that same year. These migration trends aren’t random; they illustrate the stark energy divide between wealthier and poorer nations.
No nation has elevated its per capita income while maintaining low energy use. The link is evident: greater energy access leads to increased productivity, improved healthcare, cleaner water, and higher agricultural outputs. Countries using less than 500 kilowatt-hours per person average around $1,000 in annual income. Conversely, with energy consumption at 10,000 kWh, poverty starts to fade, and at 100,000 kWh, it nearly disappears.
Countries that utilize more energy often enjoy a higher standard of living — they can afford healthcare and ensure clean water. Poor nations, however, suffer disproportionately from natural disasters, not due to harsh environments but because they lack the infrastructure needed for disaster preparedness and recovery. Access to affordable energy could serve as a significant equalizer.
For example, in 2018, Lesotho, Djibouti, and Zimbabwe each consumed fewer than 4,000 kWh per person and had incomes around $4,450. In contrast, Norway, the US, and Iceland, with energy consumption exceeding 80,000 kWh, boasted GDPs nearing $45,000. The disparities are stark and impactful.
When developing countries are denied reliable energy access, their citizens often look overseas for opportunities. Illegal immigration creates tangible costs for the West. To truly foster economic growth in Latin America and Africa, the focus should shift from border enforcement to enabling genuine development.
If the UN truly wishes to support growth and address migration, it needs to stop idealizing renewable energy and begin advocating for energy sources that can genuinely foster prosperity.
