RENEWABLE ENERGY: A PANACEA TO MITIGATING THE HARSH EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The creation of our current environmental awareness stems from man’s technical achievements in harnessing the power of nature for his own ends. Climate change demands that nation states increase their renewable energy capacity and, in so doing, become less dependent on fossil fuel energy. Nation states must also endeavour to reduce their energy footprint and improve their energy productivity. This will require the construction of substantially more small and large scale renewable energy infrastructure and the implementation of effective energy efficiency measures. Renewable energy can be defined as energy obtained from energy sources whose utilisation does not result in the depletion of the earth’s resources. Renewable energy also includes energy sources and technologies that have minimal environmental impact, such as less intrusive hydros and certain biomass combustion. This study examines how renewable energy can be applied towards the amelioration of the harsh effects of climate change. The doctrinal method of legal research was adopted in this study and primary and secondary sources such as cases, legislation, textbooks, journals and various electronic sources were consulted.  The study finds that the capacity of the ecosystem to sustain life is being threatened by man’s energy related activities. It is therefore recommended that positioning Nigerian energy laws, policies, and regulations to encourage the use of renewable resources for energy production is essential for ensuring environmental sustainability. The research concludes that the sustainability of the use of renewable energy in Nigeria will rely on the political will of the government to initiate and implement laws to enhance the development of renewable energy sources.