Formation of the Organisation of Sustainable Energy Producers - OPEN RP

[Beatrice]

An Invitation For A More Sustainable Mundus

To our allies, international partners and global neighbours,

We have seen reports in recent years and have shared concerns that the actions of humanity are playing a driving force in the rise of temperatures across Mundus, in addition to other environmental damages which impact every living being upon the surface of Mundus. A primary driver of these changes, the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere through the use of non-renewable energy sources, has long been a challenge many of our nations have sought to overcome. With such sources of energy often being cheaper to utilize than cleaner and renewable sources of energy this has most certainly been an uphill battle. To date we have seen the producers of "dirty" energy group themselves together in OPEN, a cartel which operates to ensure not only the profitability of oil and natural gas, but also their continued preeminence as the primary sources of energy across Mundus.

Renewables may yet be the greatest of innovations in the field of energy within our lifetimes and while there may be downsides which must be addressed, such as the utilization of staple food crops for the production of bio-fuels, I believe that when, not if, those nations which see a more green and sustainable future pool their resources together we may realize a date sooner, rather than later, where renewable sources may compete and out-compete fossil fuels to meet the energy needs of Mundus. Certainly the deployment of nuclear energy is a cruciual component in transitioning Mundus from a fossile-fuels based energy infrastructure, which is why Rokkenjima has invested in a vibrant and capable domestic nuclear industry. Through investing in a basket of biomass, solar, tidal, hydrogen and aforementioned nuclear, the Rokkenjiman economy has not shriveled, it has thrived as its dependence upon fossil fuels has waned. I believe that this is a story of success which can be replicated across Mundus, and to support that initiative I wish to invite those nations who share a focus on renewable energy to the Imperial Palace to form alongside us the Organisation of Sustainable Energy Producers - OSEP.

Through OSEP our nations will be able to pool our collective efforts to advance green, sustainable energy while acting to ensure these sources are capable of competing in all fields where fossil fuels hold a foothold in international energy markets. By working to ensure stable prices, especially should fossil producers seek to undermine renewable sources, we can act to secure a future for the next generation; a future where the environment is not mined, drilled and sold for temporary gains against the interests of the future. Through OSEP we may also pool the resources of our universities to further research into solving the myriad issues which face a warming Mundus and, perhaps, act together to ensure those who are most endangered (such as island nations) may be spared the worst impacts of a warming Mundus through our action at this Summit. Let us not drown our children and their children in rising seas, raising their heads above the waves to only find poisoned air to choke upon. Join me in taking action so that we may hand the future a Mundus which is perhaps just somewhat better than the one we, ourselves, were handed.

We inhabit this space for but a short time, and while some believe that time is ours in the present age we are borrowing time from future generations to fuel profits today. Let us work together to bring an end to this most viciously destructive cycle. I look forward to your replies, and to hosting you at the Imperial Palace to tackle these challenges together.

In friendship;


Empress of the First Empire of Rokkenjima
Logo is a derived work from Vectors by Vecteezy.

[Paracambi]

To: Empress Shizukesa

The nation of Paracambi is fortunately blessed with plenty on sunshine and surrounding ocean. We believe that this puts us in a successful position regarding sustainable energy production. We shall be sending Prince Marcus and Princess Sophia to represent the nation along with members of the National Grid. We look forward to their report on their return.

Blessings of the Loa
Emperor Benson of Paracambi.

[Sorrel]

Office of the Prime Minister

To: The Office of Empress Shizukesa

The Preorian Republic is in agreement that an international effort to promote and cooperate sustainable energy policies is an essential cornerstone to the development of any modern energy strategy. Our state's ongoing efforts to increase our development and utilization of nuclear and hyrdroelectric power aligns with the goals of this proposition, as does our government's concern regarding the state of the environment.

We would be happy to send a delegation comprised of energy and environmental policy experts.

Best Regards

- Prime Minister Einion Conway -

[Daitō]

Empress Shizukesa,
   In spite of recent, regrettable events which have transpired between our two nations, I recognize that we owe the planet we reside upon everything we can in order to stave off an ecological catastrophe, as well as needing to provide an alternative to the cabal that is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Nations. The Empire of Daitō, while a producer of such petrochemicals and other fossil fuels, has long sought to reduce its own carbon emissions, whether by the construction of and research into nuclear technology or other, more renewable sources of energy. As such, I would be honored to send a delegation led by Haruto Uehara, our Minister of Energy, and Daishi Ubukata, Minister of Environmental Affairs.

Signed,
Sadazane Konishi, Prime Minister of the Empire of Daitō

[Beatrice]

Empress Shizukesa awaited the foreign delegations following their trip from Pyrettania International Airport to the Imperial Palace. It was important to her to greet them personally, as the pursuit of a more sustainable future had been one of her nieces' stated aims so, in many ways, the success of OSEP became that much more personal to her. The battle before them was uphill across the board; OPEN on one side of the equation and in some cases the hesitancy shown in some corners of Mundus toward sustainable energy sources. Still, the Empress held out faith that those assembled would be capable of turning the tide to provide a future for their succeeding generations.

Shizukesa would first greet Prince Marcus and Princess Sophia, joined by members of the National Grid, to the Imperial Palace with the Preorian Republic's delegation not far behind them. "It is my pleasure to welcome you to the First Empire of Rokkenjima," she said with a nod toward each of them. "Many take the winds for granted, the motions of the waves as eternal yet I feel each of us understand neither is true, for the actions of civilization weigh heavily upon the scales of climate. While we have the tools to avert crisis we face a myriad of forces which seek to maintain the status quo; to continue burning oil, coal, and gas until the skies impart a grey hue across the skies of Mundus. Let us, together, work toward a most different future."

As she motioned them into the Imperial Palace she maintained her station, awaiting the next guests. Those present were led to the Hall of Delegations, where in the days of the Azukishiman Empire meetings of state were regularly held. Today would mark perhaps the most important discussions to be held in that hall, and she cherished the moment as one which could truly turn the tides toward a future where all Mundusians could have some manner of faith in their future. She would raise her eyebrow momentarily toward the next delegation yet, equally quick, would assume a diplomatic posture as they were ushered toward her.

"Respected Ministers, thank you for joining us," she said with nods toward both of them. "Welcome to the Imperial Palace, my aides shall see that you join our international partners. Let us score a win for the whole of Mundus here, yes?" she said with a smile.
OOC: Still open, just assume your people have been greeted by the Empress as my next post will focus on opening remarks and stated aims. I'll wait until next Sunday (4-16) for any interested parties to join those present already.

[paralipomena]

Vazha Virsaladze, the Minister of International Trade and Cooperation from the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo, arrived without much expectations in his first diplomatic travel since he was appointed minister. The meeting was certainly a chance to establish cooperation at the government, technological and business levels, even if the government did not wish to disrupt the free initiative of the market on its environmental policies.

Vazha opted to wait where the discussion was going to move forward before deciding and adapt the course of his intervention and cooperation.

[Achkaerin]

With all the pomp, traditions and various going through the motions in Valtheim this meeting had been moved around the various diaries a bit as certain people needed to be in certain places for certain functions with a coronation looming however after a fair amount of discussion it had been taken up by Sakura Sheppard, a clear signal coming from the soon to be Empress that, absent her own presence, this was something taken seriously in Valtheim - why else send arguably your most trusted diplomatic figure? Sakura was no stranger to summits like this, she'd been to more than many and she knew what to expect, and her approach was the now typical Achkaerinese one wait and see what the details were, aspiration was fine but accomplishing something meant having something viable on paper that was ultimately the challenge here.

[Beatrice]

The Empress entered the room where her guests had been assembled and took her seat at the head of the table.

"Honoured guests, thank you for joining me here today," she said with a smile. "As we're all aware there is a growing body of evidence which, one day, even the deniers will find it difficult to deny, that human activity has a great impact upon the climate of Mundus which will have several adverse impacts upon the whole of humanity. As an island nation we're well in tune with the consequences of rising seas and a warming climate which sees plentiful fishing waters continually shift as the waters warm. We have in existence a cartel of nations which cooperate on the export of the very products which drive these changes and so, one day, I thought "we have the means for more sustainable and harmonious energy production, why should we not exploit our collective efforts toward making them competitive with fossil fuels?" And so here we are, today, to forge a path forward which sees a continuous path toward a cleaner, sustainable future for all of the children of Mundus."

"I feel the best place for us to start is to establish where our strengths are," she continued. "Rokkenjima has an extensive program of sustainable fuels, from investments in "nocturnal solar", biofuels, hydrogen, tidal and nuclear energy. Each year which passes sees the share of fossil fuel use decrease, and while there is much to be done in the consumer market, 64% of the energy produced in the First Empire is derived from renewable resources. It has been a long march but, as I feel we have proven, an economy can embrace clean energy and be truly competitive on the world stage. It is my hopes that, through our combined efforts, we can see such a model be replicated in various markets across Mundus and through our ingenuity, we can realize a day where such sources of energy can out-compete fossil fuels on the global markets."

The Empress thus left the floor open.

[Daitō]

   "Seventy-one percent." Haruto Uehara, the Daitōjin energy minister, spoke up. "That is the percentage of Daitō's electrical production, nearly 2726 gigawatt hours out of 3836 in total, comes from nuclear energy. That is complemented by twenty-three percent which comes from other renewable sources, for the most part being wind and hydroelectric energy. As a result, only around six percent of our electrical production, as of last year, came from non-renewable sources, primarily oil and natural gas. As my colleague can attest, it is the aim of our government, by 2036, to retire the last of our oil-fired power stations, and by 2040, we aim to have done the same with natural gas, barring unforeseen events in the coming decades." He added as he looked around the table, offering a nod to Sakura as he did so.

   "However, that being the case, I will acknowledge that it is also our intention to continue the production of hydrocarbons for the global market, given that doing so will position the Empire of Daitō as a potential alternative to OPEN to other nations while also offering a boost to the economy. The fact is, I must call into the question the idea that, at least until such a time that hydrocarbons are more expensive than it is to build out infrastructure for renewable energy, we can make such forms of energy economical for most countries. Not every place is, after all, blessed with sunlight, strong winds, or mighty rivers with which to exploit, nor the capital to build out a grid of nuclear reactors. Until then, it is my belief that, if we are to out-compete fossil fuels, we must first accept that we cannot do so while ignoring what benefits they offer to a developing country. I yield my time."

[KrisNord]

Lara Kjelt had been around science and the environment for many years. She had been one of the team of researchers who had refused to leave Hygelac in the face of the Toshikawan threats of missile tests there. In that brief period of time she had become the Foreign Minister of the short lived Odinist Republic of Hygelac but in the years since then she had returned to the science of the environment. As such she had been asked to attend the talks alongside Martja Larsson, for now Stenberg's foreign minister.

While Martja had completed the formalities of the meet and greet it would be Lara who would do most of the speaking when it came down to the meat of discussions. With Uehara finishing it was time for her to speak. "I would like to first of all say I think conferences such as this are a great idea. I do however have a few issues. While nations in OPEN do produce oil and gas and seek to support each other in their sale if there was no market then they would be irrelevant. Like it or not oil and gas is going to be around for a while to come. While in my homeland of Nya Åland we've been able to utilise a variety of nuclear, wind, tidal and above all geothermal energy to mean we are close to being able to produce all our electricity from non-fossil fuels. The issue is though its not just as fuel and electricity we have to consider. There are medical products people rely on that also include oil, items such as laxatives, contact lens lubricants and even burn treatments require oil. While just as in energy production and transportation fuels alternatives are being researched they are currently nowhere near as effective and their cost makes them prohibitive for the use by many. The point is we can sit here and demonise oil production but unless we are going to radically change our way of life they are going to remain with us. The same is true of natural gas which has various uses beyond electric production. We so far talk simply of energy production and fuels but the issue is the world will still rely on the use of oil and gas for at least the next fifty years. While you talk of the issue being man-made that of course is true, but if we look at who created the majority of that damage it is us, those in the developed world. The developing world that is now only just beginning to put in place large scale industrialisation are just beginning to make the large contributions to emissions. Many of them will look at those of us here and ask why they can not do what we have already done? You will of course say that we can help them the point is this does one of two things. First it is expensive, many of these fuel systems and electric production methods are expensive to set up and require often much more specialist training and maintenance than more traditional methods. We are asking these nations to make sacrifices none of us had to. We will of course talk of biofuels. To produce 100litres of biofuel using something like algae will take a nation growing 1000kg of algae, it will also require 100,000-200,000 liters of water. The fuel produced also costs ten times more than traditional petrol. I know Rokkenjima in the past have talked about using Hemp as a biofuel, let me crunch those numbers for you. We, as a planet, use around 712,372,303 litres of petrol just for transport a day. To produce that you need 142,474,460,600kg of hemp a day. Currently the largest producer of Hemp in the world[1] produces 80,000,000 kilograms a year. We also have the issue that while hemp can be harvested five or six times a year each harvest makes the yield weaker unless the soil is allowed to recover. Many farmers are forced to use synthetic fertilisers and those contain natural gas or oil quiet often. We therefore have an issue that even going green we place the planet in stress. I am therefore of the opinion that this organisation should not be a rival to OPEN, we should be a compliment to them. The irony is we fail to recognise that some OPEN members are actually leading the way where we fail. Just this past few weeks Daito and Rokkenjima have engaged in military exchanges, expanding their militaries and the like. You have also said that OPEN seek to maintain the prominence of fossil fuels let us remember that the worlds biggest facility for producing rechargeable vehicle batteries is operated by Tamora and Royal Seleucid, as such rather than excluding them through combative wordings we should be embracing and utilising what they are trying to do at the Gigafactory. All these new military vehicles used by Rokkenjima will be running on petrol, only one nation on Mundus has invested significantly in producing electric powered military vehicles and that is Royal Seleucid. We sit here, ourselves, Rokkenjima and Daito as nations privledged enough to have put people into space. Each time we have we have put around 200-300 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, thats the same as 50 cars driving for a year. So unless we are going to start cancelling our space programmes we are not in a position to start asking other nations to halt their production in favour of more expensive alternatives. Now if I may I believe that the aim of this organisation needs to be explored. If we are serious about achieving your aim of protecting the environment then large nations need to change their ways. The recent border issues between Rokkenjima and Daito, just like any conflict utilise a large military. Each one of the jets engaging in combat created 3,000kg of CO2 per hour of flight. I have no idea exactly what our hosts here will suggest as a way forward but I have outlined why I think we need to perhaps return to exploring exactly what this potential bodies purpose is as I believe there has been a huge mischaracterisation of the situation of OPEN V's the environment."

1.	Canada in RL

[paralipomena]

Minister Vazha Virsaladze did not feel the need to throw numbers on the table which, anyway, were available and free for anyone. He could not help but nodding as Mrs. Kjelt added that oil and gas were going to be around for a while to come, a fact that some leading Mkvartvelian companies would be willing to stop, rather the contrary. Still, he did not wish to increase pressure to the wedge, and decided to have a more diplomatic talk.

"On our part", Virsaladze said, "we're grateful to be here, as we are certain that meetings like this bring a good chance to establish constructive cooperation and exchange of ideas, particularly in the fields of economy and technology. As it is obvious, we may have our differences, but through cooperation and constructive discussion, initiatives like this may bring a better and brighter future".

"While we do not attempt to build barriers to await a future which is not ready yet", he continued, "our country has increased investment in renewable energies, as well as a serious aim toward diversifying the sources of energy, including the decision to increase the potential of nuclear energy. It is a safe but long-term bet, that we are certain it will produce results, as long as expectations and goals remain realistic enough".

[Beatrice]

OOC: I had a whirlwind of life events since starting this, if people are still interested I'll have a next post prepared, just let me know?