After learning of all the problems associated with fossil fuels-pushing CO2 concentrations to dangerous levels,creating pollution at every step,promoting energy poverty,establishing petrodictatorship,destroying quality of life,requiring exorbitant amounts of cash to build the infrastructure,escalating fuel prices,and immeasurable but infinite true costs-in spite of all these issues,we're still using the old inefficient fossil fuel energy system.
Why is that?
Before we can make any substantial shift away from fossil fuels,we need to fully understand why we are still using them.
If we try to move away from fossil fuels without understanding exactly why a clean energy revolution hasn't taken place yet,our efforts will be futile at best,and disastrous at worst.
There are many reasons why fossil fuels are still hoarding a whopping 86% of primary energy consumption in the world today.Who's to blame for that?
Usually lack of governmental leadership hits #1 on people's "culprit" list.
The Oil companies are close behind.
The Coal industry,Automakers,and the Lobbyists are right up there too.
Technology,business,consumer behavior,and downright ignorance (or insensibility) are typically included as well.
If I had to condense all the reasons why were still stuck in this mess down to one,it would be what I like to call the Triple Alliance Theory.
The Triple Alliance Theory is an outlook on not only why we are still stuck on using fossil fuels,but how we can get a clean energy economy in place.
It declares that the three fossil fuels-coal,oil,and gas-have pervaded our society so much that the very core of our society-the government,the economy,and our personal lives have been taken captive by them.
It goes on to say that because fossil fuels have taken such a strong grip on these three sectors of society,it has put us in a gridlock,a "stalemate",where no sector can take action towards sustainable energy because the other two would get in the way.
Think about it.
The government can't change if the voters or the economy won't.
The economy can't change if the government or the consumers won't.
The people can't change if the economy or the government won't.
So they don't change.They do nothing.
And we get stuck in what is called "circular cause and consequence".
The second thing you need to know about the triple alliance,is that if just one sector got separated or removed from the fossil fuel grip,it would change the other two,and we would have a clean energy economy.
For example,suppose the economy got separated from fossil fuels.This would happen if electricity from the sun was the same price as electricity from coal (if you include the true cost of coal,they are already equal;but those costs are not included yet).
Then we would get the "domino effect".
The economy would change the government's policy,and the economy would change people's personal lives and habits.
So,all we need to do is to separate one sector from fossil fuels.This,as we'll see later,requires us to get outside of this circular cause and consequence cycle.
The third thing we need to understand is that to the extent a sector is already involved in, or separated from fossil fuels,is the extent that fossil fuels or renewable energy is used in that country.
Coupled with this is that to the extent that a sector is receiving benefit or profit from fossil fuels,or harm and cost from fossil fuels,is the extent that that sector wants a fossil fueled economy,or a clean powered economy.
For example,if an economy is completely dependent on petroleum,it will pressure the government for favorable policies that would help the oil industry.
The government,of course,wouldn't want to hinder economic growth,so it doesn't aggressively pursue renewable energy,and instead helps expand petroleum drilling and consumption.
Or,on the flip side,if people are experiencing negative externalities in their backyards,so to speak,the people become separated from good experiences with fossil fuels,and thus their outlook or thinking about fossil fuels changes.And they will try to remove fossil fuel usage from that area.
In conclusion,basically we are addicted to fossil fuels because it has thoroughly permeated our government,the economy,and our personal lives-the core of society.
To get that clean energy economy we so much need,we'll have to separate or disconnect one sector,either the government,the economy,or our personal lives from the grip of fossil fuels.
So,are we there yet? No,not yet. We're still going around in circles.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Total cost=$ Infinite
As costly as building,maintaining,and fueling our energy infrastructure is,we are not paying near enough.We aren't paying the true cost.
When we buy gasoline,the cost includes finding the oil,getting the oil out of the ground,refining the oil,and selling the oil (now gasoline),with transportation and profits mixed throughout.These costs are included in the purchase price.
But some costs are not included in the consumer purchase price,nor are they paid for by the energy companies.
These costs include environmental degradation,pollution,climate change,"petrodictatorship",energy insecurity,biodiversity loss,and health issues,to name a few.
These "added costs",which are not included in the price we pay,are called negative externalities.
The true cost of something includes these negative externalities.
"True cost economics is an economic model that seeks to include the cost of negative externalities into the pricing of goods and services."-from Investopedia.com
So,how does this all this relate to energy?
"Burning fossil fuels costs the United States about $120 billion a year in health costs, mostly because of thousands of premature deaths from air pollution, the National Academy of Sciences reported...
The estimates by the academy do not include damages from global warming, which has been linked to the gases produced by burning fossil fuels. The authors said the extent of such damage, and the timing, were too uncertain to estimate.
Nor did the study measure damage from burning oil for trains, ships and planes. And it did not include the environmental damage from coal mining or the pollution of rivers with chemicals that were filtered from coal plant smokestacks to keep the air clean...
Coal burning was the biggest single source of such external costs . The damages averaged 3.2 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The worst plants, generally the oldest and burning coal with the highest sulfur content, were 3.6 times worse than the average, with a cost of nearly 12 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The committee said environmental damage from gasoline and diesel fuel cost 1.2 cents to 1.7 cents per mile. A co-author of the study, Daniel S. Greenbaum, president of the Health Effects Institute, said that would come to 23 cents to 38 cents per gallon..."-From the New York Times
The Union of Concerned Scientists says,
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/science/earth/20fossil.html?_r=2
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/impacts/the-hidden-cost-of-fossil.html
When we buy gasoline,the cost includes finding the oil,getting the oil out of the ground,refining the oil,and selling the oil (now gasoline),with transportation and profits mixed throughout.These costs are included in the purchase price.
But some costs are not included in the consumer purchase price,nor are they paid for by the energy companies.
These costs include environmental degradation,pollution,climate change,"petrodictatorship",energy insecurity,biodiversity loss,and health issues,to name a few.
These "added costs",which are not included in the price we pay,are called negative externalities.
The true cost of something includes these negative externalities.
"True cost economics is an economic model that seeks to include the cost of negative externalities into the pricing of goods and services."-from Investopedia.com
So,how does this all this relate to energy?
"Burning fossil fuels costs the United States about $120 billion a year in health costs, mostly because of thousands of premature deaths from air pollution, the National Academy of Sciences reported...
The estimates by the academy do not include damages from global warming, which has been linked to the gases produced by burning fossil fuels. The authors said the extent of such damage, and the timing, were too uncertain to estimate.
Nor did the study measure damage from burning oil for trains, ships and planes. And it did not include the environmental damage from coal mining or the pollution of rivers with chemicals that were filtered from coal plant smokestacks to keep the air clean...
Coal burning was the biggest single source of such external costs . The damages averaged 3.2 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The worst plants, generally the oldest and burning coal with the highest sulfur content, were 3.6 times worse than the average, with a cost of nearly 12 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The committee said environmental damage from gasoline and diesel fuel cost 1.2 cents to 1.7 cents per mile. A co-author of the study, Daniel S. Greenbaum, president of the Health Effects Institute, said that would come to 23 cents to 38 cents per gallon..."-From the New York Times
The Union of Concerned Scientists says,
"Since such costs are indirect and difficult to determine, they have traditionally remained external to the energy pricing system, and are thus often referred to as externalities. And since the producers and the users of energy do not pay for these costs, society as a whole must pay for them. But this pricing system masks the true costs of fossil fuels and results in damage to human health, the environment, and the economy."
According to a 2000 study for the Department of Energy, there is a significant cost attached to the mere fact of our dependence. Supply disruptions, price hikes, and loss of wealth suffered through the oil market upheavals have cost the U.S. economy around $7 trillion (1998 dollars) over the 30 years from 1970 to 2000.
We need to keep in mind a few things:
-These externalities are real,actual costs.They are not made up. -You are paying for them more than you realize.Often people say (or think),"My energy is already expensive,how could I afford the true cost of energy, if the externalities were to be recognized?" The answer is that someone,somewhere,is paying for these negative externalities.And sometimes that "someone" is you. Sometimes you pay for something you didn't even do.So let the ones at fault pay for it.
-A price tag cannot be put on these externalities.All figures that we try to come up with are estimates.How much is a clean river worth? How much is avoiding cancer worth? How much is clean air worth? These things are priceless,and thus,the cost of including all negative externalities in the pricing of fossil fuels is infinite.
So,after looking at it that way,maybe cheap coal isn't so cheap after all.
References:
http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Economics/internalizing_costs.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/science/earth/20fossil.html?_r=2
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/impacts/the-hidden-cost-of-fossil.html
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Not so cheap anymore
Our energy system is expensive in three ways: 1.the initial cost of infrastructure 2.the cost of maintenance 3.the cost of fuel
The initial cost of energy infrastructure-the electrical power network,natural gas and petroleum pipelines,etc.-all of these are expensive to install.
For developed countries,this means they will keep their infrastructure as long as they can, to obtain a full return on their investments.
This is one of the main reasons we don't have a clean energy economy.
While some of the infrastructure from the old energy system can be used in the new energy system-such things as adapting pipelines to transport biofuels or hydrogen,or reducing power consumption on the existing grid-other things just aren't there that will need to be,like a recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles,or hydrogen filling stations,or a smart grid.
However,for developing countries,the high initial investment needed in infrastructure is an opportunity.Developing countries,countries largely without energy infrastructure, have the chance to avoid the fossil fuel energy system altogether!
They can move from no energy to clean energy.
Maintenance on our energy infrastructure is another cost to consider.
Much of our energy system was built between 1947 and 1975.
Some maintenance we are familiar with-road construction,auto repairs-and some are not so familiar, like "pigging".
But nonetheless all of our energy infrastructure requires maintenance,and this costs,and even more so with a fast-paced society,and ever increasing energy consumption.
The third cost of our energy system is the fuels (like gasoline or coal) or energy products (like electricity).The price of fossil fuels will only go up.
We may see them temporarily drop in price,but overall they can and will only increase in price.
The era of cheap fossil-fuels is over.
We are going farther,and deeper,and in more sensitive areas to get our petroleum and natural gas.
No longer do we drill and oil comes gushing up,as most people still believe.
Harder-to-find-and-get oil,means more expensive oil.
Lastly, the swings in prices characteristic of oil can be especially hard on oil-dependent economies,and industries.
These problems will accelerate when peak oil hits.
Check out these links (and whatever else you can find on your own about this topic):
http://www.wtrg.com/oil_graphs/oilprice1869.gif
http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2001/nep/chapter7.pdf
http://www.simmonsco-intl.com/files/Rice%20Global%20Forum.pdf
The initial cost of energy infrastructure-the electrical power network,natural gas and petroleum pipelines,etc.-all of these are expensive to install.
For developed countries,this means they will keep their infrastructure as long as they can, to obtain a full return on their investments.
This is one of the main reasons we don't have a clean energy economy.
While some of the infrastructure from the old energy system can be used in the new energy system-such things as adapting pipelines to transport biofuels or hydrogen,or reducing power consumption on the existing grid-other things just aren't there that will need to be,like a recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles,or hydrogen filling stations,or a smart grid.
However,for developing countries,the high initial investment needed in infrastructure is an opportunity.Developing countries,countries largely without energy infrastructure, have the chance to avoid the fossil fuel energy system altogether!
They can move from no energy to clean energy.
Maintenance on our energy infrastructure is another cost to consider.
Much of our energy system was built between 1947 and 1975.
Some maintenance we are familiar with-road construction,auto repairs-and some are not so familiar, like "pigging".
But nonetheless all of our energy infrastructure requires maintenance,and this costs,and even more so with a fast-paced society,and ever increasing energy consumption.
The third cost of our energy system is the fuels (like gasoline or coal) or energy products (like electricity).The price of fossil fuels will only go up.
We may see them temporarily drop in price,but overall they can and will only increase in price.
The era of cheap fossil-fuels is over.
We are going farther,and deeper,and in more sensitive areas to get our petroleum and natural gas.
No longer do we drill and oil comes gushing up,as most people still believe.
Harder-to-find-and-get oil,means more expensive oil.
Lastly, the swings in prices characteristic of oil can be especially hard on oil-dependent economies,and industries.
These problems will accelerate when peak oil hits.
Check out these links (and whatever else you can find on your own about this topic):
http://www.wtrg.com/oil_graphs/oilprice1869.gif
http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2001/nep/chapter7.pdf
http://www.simmonsco-intl.com/files/Rice%20Global%20Forum.pdf
Friday, April 30, 2010
The health costs of dirty energy
Many health problems are caused by our energy system.
I think there are about three main methods by which this happens:
1. Pollution
-Where it's coming from:
http://energyintransition.blogspot.com/2010/03/pollution-its-waste.html
-How it contributes to health problems:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Health_effects_of_pollution.png
http://www.epa.gov/region7/air/quality/health.htm
2. Climate change
-Where it's coming from:
http://energyintransition.blogspot.com/2010/03/climate-change-problem-and-solutions.html
-How it contributes to health problems:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/en/index.html
3. Energy poverty
Where it's coming from:
http://energyintransition.blogspot.com/2010/04/energy-poverty.html
-How it contributes to health problems:
http://www.iea.org/weo/implication.asp
Now,we're probably all wondering why this goes unchecked.
The first reason is that the effects are usually cumulative,it happens over time.While it won't suddenly kill you,it decreases quality of life-more than it does quantity of life.
The second reason health problems caused by our energy system go unchecked, is because there are so many "culprits",we don't know who to blame!
When almost every activity we do requires some energy,and nearly all of our energy comes from dirty fossil fuels,there's just way to many sources of pollution to trace.
But just because health problems from pollution take a while to show up,doesn't mean that it's not a problem.
""Air pollution is estimated to cause approximately two million premature deaths worldwide per year," said Michal Krzyzanowski, an air quality adviser at the WHO Regional Office for Europe. A World Health Organization (WHO) report estimates that diseases triggered by indoor and outdoor air pollution kill 656,000 Chinese citizens each year, and polluted drinking water kills another 95,600.
In neighboring India, air pollution is believed to cause 527,700 fatalities a year. In the United States, premature deaths from toxic air pollutants are estimated at 41,200 annually."
(From National Geographic).
I think there are about three main methods by which this happens:
1. Pollution
-Where it's coming from:
http://energyintransition.blogspot.com/2010/03/pollution-its-waste.html
-How it contributes to health problems:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Health_effects_of_pollution.png
http://www.epa.gov/region7/air/quality/health.htm
2. Climate change
-Where it's coming from:
http://energyintransition.blogspot.com/2010/03/climate-change-problem-and-solutions.html
-How it contributes to health problems:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/en/index.html
3. Energy poverty
Where it's coming from:
http://energyintransition.blogspot.com/2010/04/energy-poverty.html
-How it contributes to health problems:
http://www.iea.org/weo/implication.asp
Now,we're probably all wondering why this goes unchecked.
The first reason is that the effects are usually cumulative,it happens over time.While it won't suddenly kill you,it decreases quality of life-more than it does quantity of life.
The second reason health problems caused by our energy system go unchecked, is because there are so many "culprits",we don't know who to blame!
When almost every activity we do requires some energy,and nearly all of our energy comes from dirty fossil fuels,there's just way to many sources of pollution to trace.
But just because health problems from pollution take a while to show up,doesn't mean that it's not a problem.
""Air pollution is estimated to cause approximately two million premature deaths worldwide per year," said Michal Krzyzanowski, an air quality adviser at the WHO Regional Office for Europe. A World Health Organization (WHO) report estimates that diseases triggered by indoor and outdoor air pollution kill 656,000 Chinese citizens each year, and polluted drinking water kills another 95,600.
In neighboring India, air pollution is believed to cause 527,700 fatalities a year. In the United States, premature deaths from toxic air pollutants are estimated at 41,200 annually."
(From National Geographic).
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Petroleum=power and political problems
This article on the Natural Resources Defense Council's website can't be improved:
http://www.nrdc.org/air/transportation/aoilpolicy2.asp
The new energy system reduces (and eventually eliminates) our oil-dependence through increased efficiency of existing fuels,and deployment of alternative fuels.
Two excellent books on this topic,that I enjoyed,are:
-Winning the oil endgame (by:Amory B. Lovins)
-The end of oil:on the edge of a perilous new world (by Paul Roberts)
Many alternatives to oil exist.One particularly interesting and powerful combination is solar photovoltaics and electric vehicles.The resource I recommend for this is: http://solarchargeddriving.com/.
This is just one excellent example of how we can begin to end our oil addiction.
Enjoy these excellent resources!
http://www.nrdc.org/air/transportation/aoilpolicy2.asp
The new energy system reduces (and eventually eliminates) our oil-dependence through increased efficiency of existing fuels,and deployment of alternative fuels.
Two excellent books on this topic,that I enjoyed,are:
-Winning the oil endgame (by:Amory B. Lovins)
-The end of oil:on the edge of a perilous new world (by Paul Roberts)
Many alternatives to oil exist.One particularly interesting and powerful combination is solar photovoltaics and electric vehicles.The resource I recommend for this is: http://solarchargeddriving.com/.
This is just one excellent example of how we can begin to end our oil addiction.
Enjoy these excellent resources!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Energy poverty
"Energy Poverty is a term for a lack of access to electricity, heat, or other forms of Power. Often referring to the situation of peoples in the developing world",says Wikipedia.
According to the International Energy Agency,1.6 billion people have no access to electricity.
How our energy system caused this:
1.Our energy system is expensive.Not only the initial cost,but the operating costs.
2.It continually needs fuel input.The fuel often needs to be transported considerable distances,can be hard to find in some places,and adds to the overall cost of power.
3.It only works on a large scale.If you want power,it comes in one size-large.
While 500 MW is the norm for coal, it can be much greater.The U.S. has 126 coal-fired generating units over 1,000 MW.The typical nuclear power plant is well over 1 GW.
The problem with this is that these plants won't be built where they need to be built-in energy poor,and financially poor,areas.Building the energy distribution network,or grid,will also add to overall cost of power.
How the new energy system solves this:
1. While clean energy technologies have high (though rapidly falling) up-front costs,operating costs are usually $0.
2. Most renewable energy technologies require zero fuel input.This increases reliability and affordability.
3.It works at any scale,large or small.It can be built up incrementally,as you can afford it.
4.Building the clean energy infrastructure that we need will create jobs that can lift people out of poverty.
5.The new energy economy will invest more in R&D (research and development),bringing the costs down,and the quality up,so that everyone will be able to have the quality of life that we enjoy because of energy.
For more info:http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/05/energy_poverty101.html http://www.rice.edu/energy/research/poverty&energy/index.ml
Later I'll cover in more detail such topics as: How green jobs can eradicate poverty,How we can fight energy poverty while fighting climate change,The economics of our energy system,etc.
According to the International Energy Agency,1.6 billion people have no access to electricity.
How our energy system caused this:
1.Our energy system is expensive.Not only the initial cost,but the operating costs.
2.It continually needs fuel input.The fuel often needs to be transported considerable distances,can be hard to find in some places,and adds to the overall cost of power.
3.It only works on a large scale.If you want power,it comes in one size-large.
While 500 MW is the norm for coal, it can be much greater.The U.S. has 126 coal-fired generating units over 1,000 MW.The typical nuclear power plant is well over 1 GW.
The problem with this is that these plants won't be built where they need to be built-in energy poor,and financially poor,areas.Building the energy distribution network,or grid,will also add to overall cost of power.
How the new energy system solves this:
1. While clean energy technologies have high (though rapidly falling) up-front costs,operating costs are usually $0.
2. Most renewable energy technologies require zero fuel input.This increases reliability and affordability.
3.It works at any scale,large or small.It can be built up incrementally,as you can afford it.
4.Building the clean energy infrastructure that we need will create jobs that can lift people out of poverty.
5.The new energy economy will invest more in R&D (research and development),bringing the costs down,and the quality up,so that everyone will be able to have the quality of life that we enjoy because of energy.
For more info:http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/05/energy_poverty101.html http://www.rice.edu/energy/research/poverty&energy/index.ml
Later I'll cover in more detail such topics as: How green jobs can eradicate poverty,How we can fight energy poverty while fighting climate change,The economics of our energy system,etc.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Pollution-it's a waste
A helpful way to remember the types of pollution is the acronym waste.
Water pollution
Air pollution
Solid pollutants
Trash
Energized pollution
~Water pollution is the contamination of lakes,rivers,oceans,and groundwater.
-How our energy system caused this:Worldwide,about 210 million gallons of petroleum enter the sea each year from human caused petroleum sources.
However,spills only make up about 12% of this.According to a study by the U.S. National Research Council,three times this amount (36%)of oil enters the ocean as polluted runoff from our streets and parking lots.
This is just oil.Coal and even natural gas have their issues too.Unfortunately,I don't have room.
-How the new energy system solves this:New clean energy technologies are harmless.Take bio diesel,the environmentally friendly counterpart of diesel.Bio diesel is biodegradable,and nontoxic.
Or take wind energy,while coal pollutes water at every step,wind energy reduces water consumption and water pollution.A new energy system solves water pollution because the fuels are harmless,there is a lot less "processing" of the energy product,and because the energy is local.
~Air pollution is the introduction of pollutants into the air/atmosphere.A pollutant is a substance that causes harm (to humans,the environment,ect.).This is probably the most well-known form of environmental pollution.Most air pollution is man-made and energy related.
-How our energy system caused this:Fossil fuel power plants and automobiles account for 90% of air pollution in the United States.Take a look at this,this is the emissions overview of one coal power plant for one year:http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c02c.html
Now,there's a myth we need to clear up.Many people say that emissions standards are stronger than ever,that power plants and vehicles are much cleaner then they used to be.Well,they are,but any reductions of emissions that we have achieved,have largely been offset by a greater number of vehicles and power plants.So,while the quality has increased,the quantity has also increased.The net effect? The air isn't any cleaner.
-How the new energy system solves this:Alternative energy technology does the same job without the emissions.This is where you really experience the benefits of clean energy working with energy efficiency.Not only does it make the energy cleaner,it reduces total energy used,through energy efficiency and conservation.So,while the fossil fuel energy economy is increasing the quality and the quantity of energy used,the renewable energy economy increases the quality while decreasing the quantity used.
~Solid pollutants are solid substances (other than MSW) that cause harm to living things.While I do not include garbage in this category,I do include all hazardous wastes,coal ash,radioactive wastes,industrial pollution,etc.
-How our energy system caused this:Making electricity from coal produces 130 million tons of waste.Most of this is coal ash,which contains mercury,arsenic,lead,and other toxic metals.After the combustion process,about 10% of the original volume of coal remains.
In nuclear energy,before enrichment the concentration of the fissionable isotope U-235 is 0.7%,and after the fuel is used it is "left" containing 95% uranium.In other words,very little is used.A lot is wasted.
-How the new energy system solves this:Simple,we just don't use coal.While some coal usage is unavoidable,coal wastes can be mitigated.Energy efficiency helps too.This is why alternative energy (including energy efficiency) should always be used if possible,as opposed to improvements in fossil fuel energy.Take carbon capture and storage (CCS)-coal without the carbon.CCS does not address coal wastes.
Renewable energy has no waste,and no carbon.
The clean energy economy reduces the use of nuclear power (but only after reducing coal first),and the nuclear energy we do use,we use efficiently,further reducing waste.
Also,we would use new methods of dealing with waste.
~Trash is just normal garbage.While a little different than other types of pollution,it still can be labeled as one.
-How our energy system caused this:It's more of a mindset that caused this.The same way of thinking that has taken place regarding energy,has taken place regarding trash and landfills.We're used to expecting the benefits,without the consequences.We're used to having the problems fall on someone else,somewhere else."Not in my backyard",we say.It has to happen somewhere, If you don't want to deal with the consequences don't make the problem!
Actually,other than our mindset,there are a few links between trash and our energy system.
When we throw something away,we are throwing away energy.Take aluminum cans,the energy saved from recycling one can could power your TV for 3 hours!
Another problem is landfill gas,or methane,produced from rotting garbage.Methane is 21 times "better" as greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
-How the new energy system solves this: When we change our mindset about energy,we'll change it about garbage.We'll use the 3R's-reduce,reuse,recycle.We'll save energy.And we'll capture that landfill gas to make electricity.
~"Energized pollution"is only considered pollution because of how and when and where it is emitted.
This category includes "pollution" that is just misplaced energy.Benign energy in the wrong place.
These are light pollution,noise (unwanted sound) pollution,and thermal (heat) pollution.
-How our energy system caused this: Light pollution is from lights that haven't been turned off.
The main contributing factor of noise in cities is automobiles.This is because of the internal combustion engine.Thermal pollution changes the temperature of water and air. The causes of thermal pollution are power plants,lack of green spaces,deforestation,automobiles,etc.
-How the new energy system solves this: Renewable energy largely avoids combustion.When you avoid combustion you avoid noise,and heat.For electricity,renewable energy just captures the energy source (sun,wind,etc.), and turns it directly into electricity.No noise pollution,no thermal pollution.
For transportation,alternative energy vehicles-such as electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles-are silent.
Light pollution is also reduced because everyone is turning off lights (think earth hour).
Lastly,Noise and thermal pollution are reduced when we have green spaces-parks,forests,green roofs,etc.
So,in conclusion,our current energy system is waste-ful.It's polluting.
The new system,reduces every type of pollution.
I hope you've learned something new about the types of pollution.
If you need more information,please research it more,I barely touched on everything there is to learn.
Just remember the acronym waste.
Water pollution
Air pollution
Solid pollutants
Trash
Energized pollution
~Water pollution is the contamination of lakes,rivers,oceans,and groundwater.
-How our energy system caused this:Worldwide,about 210 million gallons of petroleum enter the sea each year from human caused petroleum sources.
However,spills only make up about 12% of this.According to a study by the U.S. National Research Council,three times this amount (36%)of oil enters the ocean as polluted runoff from our streets and parking lots.
This is just oil.Coal and even natural gas have their issues too.Unfortunately,I don't have room.
-How the new energy system solves this:New clean energy technologies are harmless.Take bio diesel,the environmentally friendly counterpart of diesel.Bio diesel is biodegradable,and nontoxic.
Or take wind energy,while coal pollutes water at every step,wind energy reduces water consumption and water pollution.A new energy system solves water pollution because the fuels are harmless,there is a lot less "processing" of the energy product,and because the energy is local.
~Air pollution is the introduction of pollutants into the air/atmosphere.A pollutant is a substance that causes harm (to humans,the environment,ect.).This is probably the most well-known form of environmental pollution.Most air pollution is man-made and energy related.
-How our energy system caused this:Fossil fuel power plants and automobiles account for 90% of air pollution in the United States.Take a look at this,this is the emissions overview of one coal power plant for one year:http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c02c.html
Now,there's a myth we need to clear up.Many people say that emissions standards are stronger than ever,that power plants and vehicles are much cleaner then they used to be.Well,they are,but any reductions of emissions that we have achieved,have largely been offset by a greater number of vehicles and power plants.So,while the quality has increased,the quantity has also increased.The net effect? The air isn't any cleaner.
-How the new energy system solves this:Alternative energy technology does the same job without the emissions.This is where you really experience the benefits of clean energy working with energy efficiency.Not only does it make the energy cleaner,it reduces total energy used,through energy efficiency and conservation.So,while the fossil fuel energy economy is increasing the quality and the quantity of energy used,the renewable energy economy increases the quality while decreasing the quantity used.
~Solid pollutants are solid substances (other than MSW) that cause harm to living things.While I do not include garbage in this category,I do include all hazardous wastes,coal ash,radioactive wastes,industrial pollution,etc.
-How our energy system caused this:Making electricity from coal produces 130 million tons of waste.Most of this is coal ash,which contains mercury,arsenic,lead,and other toxic metals.After the combustion process,about 10% of the original volume of coal remains.
In nuclear energy,before enrichment the concentration of the fissionable isotope U-235 is 0.7%,and after the fuel is used it is "left" containing 95% uranium.In other words,very little is used.A lot is wasted.
-How the new energy system solves this:Simple,we just don't use coal.While some coal usage is unavoidable,coal wastes can be mitigated.Energy efficiency helps too.This is why alternative energy (including energy efficiency) should always be used if possible,as opposed to improvements in fossil fuel energy.Take carbon capture and storage (CCS)-coal without the carbon.CCS does not address coal wastes.
Renewable energy has no waste,and no carbon.
The clean energy economy reduces the use of nuclear power (but only after reducing coal first),and the nuclear energy we do use,we use efficiently,further reducing waste.
Also,we would use new methods of dealing with waste.
~Trash is just normal garbage.While a little different than other types of pollution,it still can be labeled as one.
-How our energy system caused this:It's more of a mindset that caused this.The same way of thinking that has taken place regarding energy,has taken place regarding trash and landfills.We're used to expecting the benefits,without the consequences.We're used to having the problems fall on someone else,somewhere else."Not in my backyard",we say.It has to happen somewhere, If you don't want to deal with the consequences don't make the problem!
Actually,other than our mindset,there are a few links between trash and our energy system.
When we throw something away,we are throwing away energy.Take aluminum cans,the energy saved from recycling one can could power your TV for 3 hours!
Another problem is landfill gas,or methane,produced from rotting garbage.Methane is 21 times "better" as greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
-How the new energy system solves this: When we change our mindset about energy,we'll change it about garbage.We'll use the 3R's-reduce,reuse,recycle.We'll save energy.And we'll capture that landfill gas to make electricity.
~"Energized pollution"is only considered pollution because of how and when and where it is emitted.
This category includes "pollution" that is just misplaced energy.Benign energy in the wrong place.
These are light pollution,noise (unwanted sound) pollution,and thermal (heat) pollution.
-How our energy system caused this: Light pollution is from lights that haven't been turned off.
The main contributing factor of noise in cities is automobiles.This is because of the internal combustion engine.Thermal pollution changes the temperature of water and air. The causes of thermal pollution are power plants,lack of green spaces,deforestation,automobiles,etc.
-How the new energy system solves this: Renewable energy largely avoids combustion.When you avoid combustion you avoid noise,and heat.For electricity,renewable energy just captures the energy source (sun,wind,etc.), and turns it directly into electricity.No noise pollution,no thermal pollution.
For transportation,alternative energy vehicles-such as electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles-are silent.
Light pollution is also reduced because everyone is turning off lights (think earth hour).
Lastly,Noise and thermal pollution are reduced when we have green spaces-parks,forests,green roofs,etc.
So,in conclusion,our current energy system is waste-ful.It's polluting.
The new system,reduces every type of pollution.
I hope you've learned something new about the types of pollution.
If you need more information,please research it more,I barely touched on everything there is to learn.
Just remember the acronym waste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
