28th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – From Crisis To Growth: Security Challenges To Affordable And Reliable Energy

Dr. Kevin Dayaratna discussed the relationship between energy access, economic prosperity, and public health. He analyzed the correlation between access to affordable and reliable energy and various societal factors, focusing on economic prosperity and public health outcomes. Using historical data and charts, he illustrated trends in energy consumption, GDP per capita, labor productivity, child mortality rates, and other global metrics.

The presentation particularly highlighted how increased energy access has led to greater labor productivity, allowing workers to produce the same amount of output with less labor input due to

technological advancements fueled by energy availability. He also presented forecasting models showing the economic impact of increased energy production and discussed the relationship between energy consumption and environmental metrics like air and water pollution. He briefly discussed the energy mix in the Philippines and highlighted the need for energy independence and diversification of energy sources.

In conclusion, Mr. Dayaratna argued that access to affordable and reliable energy is fundamentally linked to human flourishing, leading to economic growth, improved public health outcomes, and reduced mortality rates. While acknowledging potential environmental challenges, his contention is that the benefits of increased energy production outweigh the risks, particularly given technological advancements that mitigate the environmental impact.