In an era defined by urgent environmental challenges and a relentless pursuit of economic advancement, a distinguished veteran in energy science has issued a seminal call for a science-centered reevaluation of the global approach to energy, development, and environmental stewardship. Professor Dongke Zhang of The University of Western Australia, reflecting on an illustrious career spanning over four decades in thermodynamics, combustion, and sustainability, articulates a comprehensive framework he terms the “Energy and Environment Nexus.” This framework underscores the inseparable and dynamic interplay among energy systems, societal progress, and ecological integrity, urging a departure from ideology-driven debates toward those grounded firmly in empirical evidence and scientific rigor.
At the heart of Zhang’s perspective lies a fundamental clarification often overlooked in public discourse: energy and power, while related, represent distinct physical quantities that must be thoroughly understood to navigate the complexities of sustainable development effectively. Power denotes the rate at which energy is transferred or transformed, measured typically in watts, while energy itself quantifies the capacity to perform work, measured in joules or kilowatt-hours. Misconstruing these concepts leads to flawed assessments of energy policies and technologies, possibly undermining sustainability goals. Zhang’s framework is anchored in four imperatives—power intensity, energy density, cost, and scale—that together constitute the pillars for evaluating energy systems’ feasibility and sustainability.
Access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy, Zhang argues, is not merely a technical or economic challenge but a profound social imperative intertwined with global poverty alleviation. Nearly half of the world’s population lacks sufficient energy access, a deficit that hinders educational opportunities, healthcare delivery, economic participation, and overall quality of life. Zhang posits that equitable energy distribution must be prioritized alongside environmental objectives, emphasizing that sustainability cannot be achieved without addressing the socio-economic dimensions that shape global energy consumption patterns. He asserts that the economic viability of energy solutions is a non-negotiable prerequisite for their long-term sustainability, coining the phrase, “If it is not economically feasible, it is not sustainable.”
Professor Zhang’s critique extends to the increasingly polarized discourse surrounding climate science and policy, where he discerns a troubling conflation of rigorous scientific inquiry with ideological agendas. He stresses that climate science is an evolving field marked by complex, nonlinear processes across atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial systems, necessitating nuanced understanding and cautious interpretation of data. Zhang advocates for robust, iterative scientific research as the foundation of policy-making, warning against premature conclusions or simplistic solutions that do not withstand empirical scrutiny. He highlights science as an ongoing voyage of discovery, inherently provisional and self-correcting, requiring an open ethos that invites debate rather than dogma.
The establishment of the scholarly journal Energy and Environment Nexus, housed at Southeast University in China, embodies Zhang’s visionary aspiration for a multidisciplinary platform where researchers, engineers, economists, and policy experts converge to deepen the understanding of energy-environment interrelations. This open-access journal promises to catalyze inclusive, rigorous dialogues that transcend geographical and ideological boundaries, fostering innovations that align technological advancement with ecological sustainability. The journal’s inception marks a milestone in creating intellectual space dedicated explicitly to the complexities and synergies of securing energy futures while protecting planetary health.
Zhang’s contributions also foreground the nuanced parameters critical to scaling renewable energy technologies effectively. Power intensity—the rate of energy consumption per unit of economic output—varies widely across regions and industries, influencing the energy efficiency of development pathways. Energy density, the amount of energy stored or delivered per unit volume or mass, remains a practical bottleneck in harnessing renewables such as solar and wind compared to conventional fossil fuels. Cost dynamics, inclusive of capital expenditure, operational expenses, and externalities like environmental degradation, shape the competitiveness of energy technologies. Finally, scale considers the magnitude of deployment needed to meet global energy demands without jeopardizing environmental thresholds. Zhang posits that these imperatives must inform balanced policies rather than isolated metrics.
Beyond technical and economic analysis, Zhang emphasizes the ethical dimensions of the energy-environment nexus. Sustainable energy access transcends infrastructure and markets; it is fundamentally about human dignity, social equity, and intergenerational responsibility. By framing energy justice as central to environmental sustainability, Zhang’s approach rejects the zero-sum logic often implicit in debates pitting economic development against ecological preservation. His perspective advocates systems thinking that integrates social well-being, economic vitality, and environmental resilience into a single cohesive agenda, demanding collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
In dissecting the conceptual and practical challenges facing global energy transitions, Zhang confronts prevalent misconceptions that complicate these efforts. For instance, he critiques the overreliance on ideologically driven quick fixes that emphasize rapid decarbonization without adequately addressing systemic issues like energy storage limitations, grid stability, and resource availability. He underscores that simplistic narratives can marginalize critical technological and policy innovations capable of bridging immediate gaps and laying foundations for long-term solutions. This nuanced stance calls for patient, evidence-based policy frameworks that adapt to emerging scientific insights and socio-economic realities.
The dialogue Zhang fosters also acknowledges the geopolitical dimensions of the energy landscape, recognizing how energy geopolitics intersect with economic development and environmental policies. Energy access disparities reflect broader structural inequities in global power relations, resource control, and technological capabilities. Zhang insists that any meaningful strategy for sustainable energy must account for these geopolitical realities, promoting international cooperation, technology transfer, and capacity-building in developing regions. His approach envisions a global compact where energy security aligns with ecological stewardship and social inclusiveness.
Moreover, Zhang’s articulation of an open, evidence-driven debate challenges entrenched interests and cognitive biases that hamper transformative change. He identifies the necessity for transparency in data, methodological rigor in assessments, and openness in policy deliberations as cornerstones of progress. By resisting ideological echo chambers, stakeholders can collectively navigate the trade-offs, uncertainties, and innovations inherent in the energy transition. Zhang’s vision is one of intellectual humility combined with pragmatic optimism, rooted in scientific inquiry and humanistic values.
The Energy and Environment Nexus journal, as an institutional embodiment of Zhang’s ideals, seeks to bridge the often disconnected silos of science, policy, and economics. It aims to elevate interdisciplinary research that elucidates causal linkages and feedback loops among energy consumption, emissions trajectories, social equity, and ecological impacts. By disseminating open-access research globally, the journal empowers diverse communities of scholars and practitioners to engage in co-creative problem-solving, fostering innovations informed by both local realities and global imperatives.
In concluding his perspective, Zhang underscores that embracing the “Energy and Environment Nexus” framework is not an abstract academic exercise but a practical necessity for humanity’s shared future. Sustainable development requires transcending narrow disciplinary confines and embracing the intrinsic complexity of human-environment interactions. Only through sustained, open inquiry—anchored in robust scientific evidence and respectful of social equity—can society chart pathways that harmonize economic growth with the preservation of our planet’s delicate ecosystems.
As the world grapples with accelerating climate change, widespread inequality, and resource limitations, Professor Dongke Zhang’s clarion call for a balanced, science-driven approach offers both a beacon and a blueprint. His integrated perspective challenges conventional wisdom, demands interdisciplinary collaboration, and elevates dialogue over dogma. By recognizing the profound interdependencies encapsulated in the Energy and Environment Nexus, stakeholders are better equipped to craft sustainable, equitable, and resilient energy futures that honor the intertwined essentials of economic development, social well-being, and ecological sustainability.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: On Energy and Environment Nexus: balancing economic development, social well-being, and ecological sustainability with science
News Publication Date: 25-Sep-2025
Web References: Not provided
References: Zhang D. 2025. On Energy and Environment Nexus: balancing economic development, social well-being, and ecological sustainability with science. Energy & Environment Nexus 1: e005
Image Credits: Not provided
Keywords: Physical sciences/Physics/Energy; Physical sciences/Earth sciences/Climatology; Applied sciences and engineering/Applied ecology/Natural resources management/Sustainability; Social sciences/Economics
