The big yes should be to conservation. It will get us the farthest the
fastest. Then solar thermal, including biomass (stored solar) and
geothermal. Then wind, hydroelectricity, and solar electricity. We need the
incentive of rising prices for fossil fuels to get on with it, and I think
we will get it this time, as we did not in the 70s. A carbon tax would be
very helpful in all this.
Joel
At 09:38 AM 11/23/09 -0800, you wrote:
So we say no to coal, nuclear, gas and oil. Then what? What are we saying
yes to? Some rail against wind mills saying they will ruin there view or
kill too many birds. And wind mills and solar panels take more energy to
create than they produce over their life. Where does that leave us? What
do we say YES to?
There was an interesting IJ article last week on a visit from a Danish
company talking about "thermal energy district heating" and their
country's 30 year shift from a 99% energy importing country to an exporter
of energy. In 30 years! While also "decreasing its noxious emissions by 13
percent in 20 years." How's that for leading by example!
http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20091118/NEWS01/911180356/1124/Taking-a-lesson-from-the-Danish
But we missed that boat. If we had continued on that track in the 70s when
we had the chance, maybe we would be in the same boat. But the political
climate of the 80s derailed all of the good work spurred by the energy
crisis. And here we are today, trying the squeeze gas out of stone and
swallowing mountain tops to satisfy our energy thirst.
There is no silver bullet that will save us, only partial solutions that
will ease our decline. Investment in wind and solar seem the only viable
direction, even if they are only "energy stores" that hold current input
for use 50 or more years from now when fossil fuels are scarce. Maybe they
will let us down slowly. Maybe a break through will make them more viable,
cheaper to produce. Without focused investment and effort, we will never know.
So I implore you, rather than just saying no to fracking and nuclear and
coal, think about what you want to say YES to. What do you want in your
back yard?
Eric
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_______________________________________________
For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please
visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/
RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for:
[email protected]
http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins
Questions about the list? ask [email protected]
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