We Need Clean Energy Now

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The world is moving forward with renewable energy. In every major industrial country, serious financial interests in partnership with governments are putting gigantic solar, wind and biomass projects together to create a new era of clean, pollution-free energy.

The Far East, South America, Japan, Spain and Canada, and so many more countries are developing significant carbon-saving projects, creating new industries and jobs for millions of workers. Sadly the U.S. is lagging far behind, running at the back of the pack. Last year Italy, a country smaller than the state of California, installed more solar power than the U.S.

Why are we behind, stifling opportunity to create tens of thousands of new, long-term, good-paying jobs? Perhaps the toxic political atmosphere we are now engaged in reflects the underlying cause: A persistent denial by segments of the body politic that we have a problem with our environment.

Many, even if they acknowledge a problem, would prefer that private forces alone tackle the issue. Others see a significant role for government to play. In reality, it takes both private and public efforts to advance renewable energy. As it happens, all across the world, dozens of countries are succeeding with public/private partnerships where we are not.

The whole premise of building a renewable energy industry and transforming our economy to meet the rising energy demands of an ever-increasing populated world is that our climate is being destabilized and pollution is on the rise. The observations that global temperatures are rising is connected to another observable condition: Greenhouse gases, which are produced from cars and electricity production for houses and industry, are accumulating at a rapid and unnatural pace in the atmosphere. Too much carbon is the culprit.

Now many dispute these assertions for a variety of reasons. Yet, the vast majority of scientists and people agree that this is happening now and they also agree on the primary cause. Even noted climate change denier, Bjorn Lundburg, wrote a new book recanting his previous assertions on the denial of anthropogenic causation of climate change. The tide of denial is receding; here's why:

Parts of our atmosphere act as a blanket, trapping just enough energy from the sun to keep the surface of the planet at the optimal temperature for life to flourish. Many of these parts, including water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) absorb heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Other synthetic components have been added to the mix, like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and hexafluoride (HFCs). These are not natural, but produced by industry.

The problem is that all of these compounds are increasing rapidly in the atmosphere. This is measurable and quantifiable. For example, historical levels of CO2 over the time where human civilization has flourished, have been measured at around 275 parts per million. Today, the number stands at 390 PPM and is rising 2 PPM each year. Projected levels based on current growth put them at anywhere from 450 PPM to 600 PPM within 25 years. Temperatures will rise in direct correlation with the increase in carbon content as will climate instability and uncertainty.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major component of the carbon cycle. For many thousands of years it has been a stable component of the atmosphere. It is used by plants during photosynthesis to make sugars used in respiration to enable plant growth. Consider carbon in the use of cars and trucks. One gallon of gasoline weighs 6.3 pounds. A carbon atom has an atomic weight of 12 and each oxygen atom it combines with weighs 16 for a total atomic weight of 44. Gasoline is 87% carbon and 13% hydrogen. Calculate the carbon footprint of the burning of one gallon as follows: 44/12 or 3.7 X 5.5 (6.3 Lbs X 87%) = 20 pounds of CO2 for each gallon of gas burned. Now let's see, how many cars are on the planet? Do the math.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is another weak greenhouse gas and pollutant that cars produce. As the number of cars increases, so does the amount of CO produced. CO is a very dangerous gas that comes directly out of the tailpipe of every combustion engine on the planet. It modulates the production of methane in the atmosphere and ozone in the troposphere, impacting global warming and climate change.

How about electricity production? For every 1000 kilowatts of coal-fired electricity consumed, 3.48 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 5.8 pounds of nitrogen oxide is generated creating smog and acid rain, .2 pounds of fine particulate matter aggravating lung and respiratory problems especially in the elderly and children, .12 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in smog and some 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide gas (the greenhouse effect) is spewed into the atmosphere.

The average U.S. residential house consumes around 920 kilowatt hours per month or rounded up to 12,000 KWH per year generating some 25,000 pounds of carbon gas (CO2) emissions each year from coal-fired production. We need clean energy now. Together, let's build a clean, renewable energy economy and keep the jobs here at home.

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency website (the EPA Household Emissions Calculator) to calculate your individual impact on the environment.

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Jeff Evans

Simplicity Solar

747 W. White Ave.

Grand Junction, CO 81501

314-2679

simplicitysolar.com