A Path to Sustainable Energy by 2030 is the most interesting and
innovative reading I have read in university thus far. The article explains an
in-depth plan to convert the worlds energy to all renewable resources. The main
energy sources would be from wind, water and the sun (commonly known as WWS). The
energy would mainly be generated through solar panels, wind turbines (on land
and at sea), as well as through hydro dams. Geothermal energy is also discussed
as an option. However, geothermal energy is not as technologically advanced as the other energy source and this energy source is not as accessible and most likely
will not be in use for many years. The authors break down the various hurdles
that must be overcome in order for our earth to be run only by renewable energy
sources. Firstly, the authors discuss the reliability that comes with using
many different types of energy sources rather than relying on just one main source of energy. They
discuss the efficiency of a renewable energy system compared to the energy
system we currently use. The authors next tackle the cost of producing a new
energy system, stating that due to the limited financial upkeep of the SSW system it
is far more economical energy system in the long run. The resources required to produce many
of the batteries that would be used in electrical cars and machines are limited
so this is one of the few issues that may arise. The final and hardest problem
to overcome with the WWS energy system is the political challenge of
overturning the current energy system. Much of this political challenge is due
to the extreme wealth of the oil companies that obviously do not want to be put
out of business.
Graph from: The Energy Collective - The worlds best thinkers on energy and climate
I believe
the WWS energy system is the only option for our planet in the future. Much of
the worlds population knows that a sustainable energy system would one day be
implemented, however not nearly as many people understand the urgency for this
system. The worlds environmental health is declining at such a quick rate that
a serious change needs to be made now. The WWS plan is a near impeccable solution
for fossil fuels which are one of the worlds greatest environmental hazards.
The plan shows how easy the construction, organizing and implementing of a renewable
energy system would be, however it is very difficult to get the world
population as a whole “on board”. I
believe that if this plan was translated to all languages and explained in schools
and universities worldwide, it would be very successful and a realistic goal to have a sustainable energy system by 2030. However, it is
not as simple as it sharing this plan with everyone and getting everyone “on
board”. The oil industry generates more then a trillion dollars worldwide each
year and would like to continue doing so for as long as possible. Many of the major
oil companies will do whatever it takes to keep this industry going, despite
the factual evidence that shows the environmental harm that our current energy
system is doing to the world’s health. So in order for our world to make a significant
change to our energy systems we must ALL put a stop to these major corporations
by spreading awareness, especially to those more vulnerable to false
information in less developed countries. Many of the largest oil companies have
been known to fund false “studies” that argue that climate change is not a
result of the fossil fuel emission increase that came along with the industrial
age. Below I have attached an article breaking down a “study” done by Willie Soon in which
he argues that climate change is a result of the sun, not increased fossil
fuels emission. This is just an example of one of many false studies done each
year by scientists who have funded by major oil companies.
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