Too Late to Apologize (to Earth)?
By Brian Hempe, Mechanical Engineering, 2020
Carbon dioxide (CO2) significantly contributes to the greenhouse gas effect — in which solar energy is trapped and reflected off the ozone layer back towards Earth. This has a negative effect on the Earth because it changes weather patterns, and as recently observed, raises the global temperature. Renewable energy, an alternative to emission-generating energy sources, focuses on reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere while simultaneously providing energy. Recent research at the University of Colorado outlines a plan to convert the entire nation to renewable energy sources in just 15 years. Their findings are supported by statistical analyses of weather patterns across the United States. By identifying precisely where the sun contacts the ground and where the wind blows consistently hard, the researchers can better estimate cost and production of the new devices. Through their analysis, the study aims to show the capabilities and implementation of renewable energy technology.
The study also acknowledges that a solution to increasing CO2 emissions will never take hold with the public or the government unless it is economical. While the predicted initial project costs are very high, the maintenance costs in the following years are relatively low. Over the projected time period of 15 years, the costs of the systems in place now — which rely on fossil fuels — would be comparable to the initial cost. Even though there is a high initial investment, the return on investment in the future will actually reduce costs and save money around the country for both families and businesses.
Even with this new study, is there enough time to implement the changes before the effects of CO2 become irreversible? Weather patterns are prone to fluctuation and it can get dicey extrapolating data. For example, with the changes in how seasons affect certain areas of the U.S., these “prime” locations for solar panels or wind turbines could become dry resources in just a few years as wind blows in different areas. The plan also calls for using up to one percent of the entire landmass of the continental U.S. The group remains hopeful, concluding the report with, “Although it would be a difficult transition, the challenges are not dissimilar to previous US projects for the creation of national markets, such as the transcontinental railroads of the nineteenth century, and the interstate highway system of the twentieth century.”