INTRODUCTION TO SECTION 5: renewable energy landscapes across the Pacific Rim

Abstract

This chapter focuses on our work on energy transition and renewable energy landscapes, a critical component of addressing the climate crisis, drawing upon the Association of Pacific Rim Universities Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Working Groups on renewable energy in 2017, 2018 and 2019. It emphasizes the importance of city-landscape interplay in decarbonization. The emphasis on case studies demonstrates a wide spectrum of geopolitical representation across the Pacific Rim and provides best practices that allow for mutual learning. The conventional way of generating and supplying energy for cities has been imposing tremendous impacts on surrounding landscapes, including rural communities and fragile ecosystems. The transition to renewable energy can unfortunately exacerbate this trend when not cautiously and proactively considering a more sustainable city-landscape relationship. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.