Renewable energy has been a subject of constant debate worldwide. One can argue that globalization has made the demand on our primary energy sources too high, and this pressure leads the supply to become more expensive (fossil fuels being the primary example, in the economic model of supply and demand). With this liberal view of the possible global economic crisis[i] that we could face based on our dependence on fossil fuels, why is it that we are so hesitant to switch to renewable energy?
One of the biggest criticisms for renewable energy sources is the inconsistency of the source of the energy. For example, when looking toward wind energy, there are seasons of abundant energy, and seasons where there may be little to none created. In such cases the refutation lies in the fact that, with renewable energy we are able to use a variety of resources, and therefore can compensate through other means of energy making.[ii] Of course, certain forms of renewable energy need to be altered depending where they are implemented based upon climate variations, and certain renewable energy sources are obviously more pertinent to some areas rather than others. In deserts, solar energy is the obvious choice, while hydro-energy might be a waste of money.
In south Florida the effects of an oil crisis could be catastrophic. Though public transportation exists, it’s not widely enough utilized and the local government does not invest enough into alternative fuel sources for it to of viable use in the case of an oil crisis. As it stands, the majority of users of public transportation come from lower SES areas, so the increased cost would not positively affect public transportation use in this group. According to the Draft Transit Development Plan for 2011 – 2020, Miami-Dade the fuel cost increase is projected to be 1% annually, and with labor costs the increase of bus/train fare might not be affordable in relation to wage increases.[iii]
So what types of alternative fuel and renewable energy could be used? What sort of choices can we, as Florida residents (or local students), make to create a more sustainable transition from fossil fuels and other energy sources to provide a buffer in case of another energy crisis (1973, 1979[iv]). President Obama once claimed that it was the goal of the U.S. to double renewable energy production within three years[v]. Does this include South Florida? Will the initiatives pass over our local governments and will legislature never see it as a necessity, like the many education fund reductions?
Here in Florida we have implemented several forms of renewable energy, but not statewide. At the Kennedy Space Center FPL (Florida Power and Light) has implemented a Solar Energy Center. It consists of over 90,000 solar panels[vi]. Pushing expansion of this project might help produce a more cost-effective form of energy in the long run. Another initiative that produces cost-effective savings is solar water heating, rather than electric or gas. People save between 50 and 85% on their water heating expenses via this method and bio fuel is no longer an issue to these homeowners.[vii] Though Florida has no wind power, the U.S. is said to have the potential to attain 20% of its energy from WIND power. With that said, offshore wind production is more reliable and efficient because wind production is much higher, at higher speeds, and consistently produces energy. But this has not been considered for reasons most likely relating to boating and hurricanes. Hydroelectric power is more difficult to implement because South Florida does not have high fresh water reserves, and they are often stagnant water bodies (Lake Okeechobee, for example).[viii]
Lester Brown’s “World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse” suggests many of these renewable energy sources. The book teaches that it is economically smart to convert to renewable energy because, besides protecting our precious few natural resources from further pollution, it makes sense to protect us from another oil crisis. It also creates more jobs and a stronger economy in return. So far Florida’s most effective renewable resource has proven to be solar energy. Solar-powered homes and cars are gaining popularity but still retain the disadvantage of initially being exorbitantly expensive.
[i] Sholte, Jan Aart. Globalization: a critical introduction. Second Edition. .
NY: Macmillan, 2005. Print.
[ii] International Energy Agency (2007). Contribution of Renewables to Energy Security IEA Information Paper, p. 5.
[iii] "Draft Transit Development Plan." Miamidade.gov. Miami Dade County, Sep 2010. Web. 6 May 2011. <http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/library/pdfs/misc/tdp_may_2010.pdf>.
[iv] For further reading: http://www.harwich.edu/depts/history/HHJ/rowe.html
[vii] Statistics taken from Environmental and Energy Study Institute
[viii] http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html
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