A Feasible Plan To Migrate To Renewable Energy
A friend asked me if I’d be interested in collaborating on a book that would offer a sensible plan to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. I responded that I’d be thrilled to collaborate on such a project and offered a summary of my viewpoints on the subject:
• Nothing’s going to happen here without a Bernie Sanders-style housecleaning on corporate interests buying elections, overturning Citizens United, etc.
• When and if that can be accomplished, there will be no climate denier shills in Congress, and the U.S. might do the right thing vis-à-vis energy, i.e., lead the world by example to a decarbonized energy platform.
• We’re going to have to defy the oil companies. Remember, these organizations clearly explain their business plan to their bankers and investors: suck the last molecule of fossil fuels out of the ground. By “defy” I don’t mean prohibiting their actions (except the most egregious ones, drilling in ecologically fragile areas, e.g., the arctic); we only have to internalize the externalities associated with the consumption of fossil fuels. Once a kWh of electricity generated from coal includes the cost of the increase in healthcare and long-term environmental damage, renewable energy will be the deal of the century.
• We need to dismantle the subsidies for the oil companies, and increase them for R&D in renewables.
• It’s quite possible that there will be a clear-cut climate-related disaster at any time, which may galvanize the world’s people (even Americans) on this subject. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on the way you look at it) climate change, ocean acidification, loss of biodiversity, etc. are happening over a long period of time; none of these effects, e.g., desertification, sea-level rise, and decline of life in the oceans is happening as a single immediate event. Humans tend not to care too much about the state of the planet 75 years hence.
I’m certainly looking forward to the venture.
Craig,
My sincerest best wishes on publishing a book “offering a sensible plan to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy “.
I’m not sure your initial summary, indicates a “sensible” approach to the subject. It seems more like a “call to arms” by a passionate, crusader. A tempest of sound and fury, signifying,….well, to be fair, I should wait to read the book before passing judgement.
In the meantime, ( while the crusade is being organized ), I thought I might share with everyone a small example of how quieter, moderate, and a tad more conservative environmentalists are advancing the cause.
Harvard University researcher,Daniel Nocera has been diligently pursuing the pioneering work started by John Turner at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Although Turner’s early process showed promise, it was very expensive, unstable and impractical.
Dr Nocera work has made real progress in eliminating many of the early problems. His developments may advance “artificial leaf” technology to a commercial reality.
Like a real leaf,”artificial leaf” technology absorbs carbon dioxide by tweaking the plant-photosynthesis process to suck carbon dioxide from the air and uses it to produce a renewable source of energy !
Dr Nocera explains that his “artificial leaf,” when placed in water absorbs sunlight, then splits the water into two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen. (the first step of photosynthesis)
With cobalt phosphate as a catalyst, the process uses an artificial microbe that takes in CO2 and creates PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate, a biodegradable polymer). PHB can then be used to create isobutanol or isopentanol.
While it’s sure to be a long and winding road with many obstacles to overcome before the technology can transition to commercial applications, Dr Nocera is increasingly confidant that the energy produced could be used for a wide range of practical uses, including the ultimate renewable transport fuel.
Of course up-scaling and commercialization problems are still to be overcome, but the physics are sound, and with more time, research and investment funding, Dr Nocera may yet beat those equally diligent scientists working for Toyota.
I believe projects like these, often funded by large corporations (even oil companies) are the most practical method of advancing clean technology, and a better environment.
Politics, social revolution, disruptive legislation, grandiose advocacy and divisiveness are just counter-productive.
Remember, the only tangible result of the original crusades, was the destruction of the largest Christian city in the world. (by the crusaders ! ).
But,….I eagerly await the book…:)