This page will bring you current information with environmental perspectives and
even try to give a balanced viewpoint on environmental controversy. We want you to visit this
page often so you can stay informed.
Rutgers University Reports to their Alumni on Environmental Challenges...
My Spring 2009 issue of the Rutgers Alumni Magazine arrived with a great discussion around the development of alternatie energy resources. Here are some of the highlights:
Geothermal energy will play an increasing role as we look just 10 feet or so below the earth's surface and find a constant 50 -60 degree temperature that can help us heat homes in winter and cool them in summer.
With over 71% of the earth's surface being oceans, we must learn to harness their currents. Water is over 800 times more dense than air meaning it carries an immense amount of energy that might
be captured through the use of submerged turbines.
Wind farms will increase the need for new electricity transmission lines and new transmission technology. A "Smart grid" is being envisioned that will allow us to take energy from the grid when needed ubt also send energy back to the grid as we develop on site generation capability..
Forget corn ethanol... its use is to disruptive to the food supply. Look for the use of things from grasses to algae as new energy "generators".
Green building techniques of passive structures may make conventional heating and cooling obsolete. In fact, there are already over 20,000 homes in Germany and other parts of Europe using
this technology.
Food and plant waste may become a major energy source in high density metro areas like New York,
New Jersey, Chicago, etc. Biomass conversion to fuel the environment is a practical approach.
Lastly, inside the Rutgers Technology Center, nanotechnology is being employed to produce the next gerneration of supercompact, superpowered, exceptionally high storage batteries. This new technology will help researchers develop batteries that are likely to power everything from body implants to electric Army vehicles.
General Thoughts on the Challenges we Face Together
Transportation accounts for 95% of global fuel consumption. Cars, trucks, buses, trains,
airplanes, and ships all run on some kind of fossil fuel. Most of our cheap imported goods come
across the ocean on large cargo ships only to be offloaded onto trucks and driven to stores. The price of fuel will be reflected in the cost of getting the products to your local store. How about food? It is estimated that the average meal travels 1500 miles before it reaches your table! Not much food is
produced around our large metropolitan centers...it must be brought in some way. We need to
think rationally about our future energy needs, find alternatives and begin taking precipitive action...
or we will face high prices and shortages like never before seen. IT IS UP TO US!
The following book helps us understand our energy choices and the consequences of those choices.
The Citizen Powered Energy Handbook.. Community Solutions to a Global Crisis Chelsea Green Publishing, 2007 by Greg Pahl.
Mr. Pahl points out that human history has been marked by three decisive energy transitions:
- fire
- invention of agriculture ( harnessing animals )
- fossil fuels
Mr. Pahl also suggests the fossil fuel era is coming to an end and that something else will follow for two reasons...
1. the continuing burning of coal, oil, and natural gas are warming the universe and
will set off a chain of events that could be suicidal to our species.
2. We are running out of oil and gas and they are non-renewable
The author makes this statement..."Much hinges on large numbers of citizens taking matters into
their own hands...widespread, proactive efforts by citizens and small communities to ditch fossil
fuels and develop alternatives." He sees the government as non responsive in the past.
Some of the problems associated with conintuing to rely on oil. In 2003, the industry spent $8 Billion
in exploration but found only $4 Billion worth of oil. In 2006 the world was consumning 84 million barrels of oil a day, and by 2025, it is estimated consumption will increase to 121 million barrels. At
the same time, production in most of the world's largest oil fields is declining. Experts suggest
production is declining at 5% per year and we will never reach the 120 million barrel level to support
world demand. The higher demand coupled with smaller supplies will inevtiably lead to higher prices in everything...especially food. We are seeing this already in the U.S.
Those of us who lived through the fuel crisis of the 70's remember the long lines at service stations.
We vowed we would become energy independent. We would build more fuel efficient cars, use less
electricity and start solar and nuclear development. Somewhere along the line, fuel became cheap again, we gravitated to the "pleasure" of a large SUV and we ran heating tempertures up and cooling
temperatures down...thnking there was no end to the supply of cheap fossil fuels. WRONG!
Forty years ago, we saw the potential for the predicament we are in today...and failed to plan and
persevere until we became a conserving nation. SHAME ON US! The current generation has
inherited the bad planning of past generations who failed to act.. They depended on us...and we let them down. We will now resolve to do better for future generations?
The crisis is upon us, time running out, and demand is growing at alarming rates. This is where the
world needs to come together and establish a "global plan" for energy. We need a "United Nations
of Energy Responsibility" where we all ( country after country ) pull together. If we don't, the rich
nations will control the resources, and the poorer third world nations will face starvation like never
seen before on this earth. Is that the legacy this generation wants to hand off to future generations?
I would think not.
Politicians won't fix it, corporate won't fix it...the people have to bring pressure on the civic leaders and
innovation to the development of new resources. We need creative, passionate, and organized
support on all fronts ( governement, business and populace ) to start solving this crisis. You can start
by modifying your usage of fossil fuels and speaking up at the local community level to encourage
others to do the same. How? Use your circle of influence... family, coworkers, church members,
schools, colleges, civic organizations, political rallies, and other forums whenever possible. If all us us speak with a united voice..., thepoliticians will listen.... they look to have us re-elect them. Check their record on energy before you vote. If they have no energy initiatives on their record...we probably don't need them in a leadship position. IT IS TIME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACTION!
Stay Tuned and come back to this spot for information on potential energy alternatives. We will look
at solar, wind,water, biomass, liquid biofuels, geothermal and community solutions you and I can be
a part of as we lead ourselves into the new generation of alternative energies.
Grab a copy of Greg Pahl's book when you are in the library. It is sensible reading.
JIm Chapman
President/ My Florida Green Council
