| In recent decades, global energy consumption has had to grapple with many complex issues:energy prices and energy production, the asymmetry between energy demand and energy supply (and the problems that have arisen from the immense gap between that supply and demand), energy security, transportation and consumption, and environmental degradation caused by the current pattern of energy consumption, just to name a few. Environmental pollution—in particular ambient air pollution-shares a close relationship with energy consumption, and since ambient air pollution has already resulted in the global proliferation of pollution, the issue of energy and pollution is currently of worldwide significance, given the risks incurred by energy use and environmental pollution.In 1990s, the economists Grossman and Krueger published papers proposing the concept of an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). This is an extension of theKuznets Curve theory, and it posits that there is a relationship between economic development and pollution level in environmental economics. A number of environmental economists were inspired by the concept, and the paper was followed by a series of research projects concentrating on the application of the EKC to various pollutants in different regions. The core of the EKC theory is that as a country’s level of economic development increases, environmental degradation first intensifies, but later ameliorates. Hence, the relationship between environmental pollution and economic development is an inverted U-shape. Due to the adoption of different approaches by different research subjects, different results in specific temporal and spatial scales have therefore resulted.This thesis attempts to econometrically quantify the effect of determinants of energy intensity and ambient air pollution in over 200 countries and regions using pooled cross-country and time-series data, and also attempts to discover whether a global pattern exists that correlates to stages of economic development. The EKC hypothesis is examined through a historical perspective, with respect to energy intensity and several serious environmental air pollutions including Particulate Matter 10, CO2, N2O, CH4, GHG (other greenhouse gases, including hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride). After examining the impact of gross national income per capita (GNI per capita), industrial structure, and educational level on energy intensity and ambient air pollution, evidence from 214 countries and regions worldwide during the period from 1980 to 2012 has shown that the emission of greenhouse gas air pollutants does indeed tend to exhibit an inverted U-shaped relationship with per capita incomes. The feasibility of the EKC has definite limitations, however, as this relationship does not exist with regard to suspended particulate matter pollutants. Based on these findings, this thesis provides corresponding political recommendations and measures. For pollutants that fit within the EKC theory, reasonable economic development is necessary until a nation reaches the environmental degradation turning point. Since ambient air pollution, as represented by greenhouse gases, goes beyond the boundaries of a single country and becomes a global problem, close global cooperation is urgent. One effective way to combat this problem is to establish a global monitoring and reporting regime. Additionally, the transfer and upgrading of energy use technologies and the advocacy of clean energy are other important measures. Finally, patterns of sustainable and healthy energy consumption by individuals will also contribute to improving the current structure of energy consumption and the mitigation of environmental pollution. |
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