The Basics
The world is currently obtaining 80% of its energy from fossil fuels. (MacKay, 2008) It has become widely apparent that this is not sustainable, however, technology has not entirely caught up with the need of accessible energy alternatives, especially in urban centers. Here, I analyze three voices of the sustainable energy movement and their approaches to solving our global climate change, greenhouse gas, and depleting planet problems.
Revolutionizing the Energy Industry
In researching the future of sustainable energy one figure is consistently in the spotlight. Elon Musk is an investor, inventor and business man who focuses his energy and resources on the five biggest questions he thinks will affect humanity in the near future. One of his top five is sustainable energy. Currently his projects include Tesla motors and SolarCity which each seek to make alternative energy more approachable by improving accessibility. (Del Rey, 2013)
In a TED talk filmed February 2013, Musk talks about the major changes needed to revolutionize the energy industry. (Musk, 2013) Musk states upfront, “I think it’s extremely important that we have sustainable transport and sustainable energy production. That sort of overall sustainable energy problem is the biggest problem that we have to solve this century, independent of environmental concerns.” The bias from Musk here is two-fold. First, his personal bias is a need for sustainable energy production from his own understanding of the world, but second he is heavily financially invested in the production of alternative energy and a successful development of Tesla or SolarCity or any other project would prove financially beneficial for him as well. His personal conviction is that sustainable energy is the most pressing issue of our time while others would argue that there are possibly other, more immediate concerns.
In hearing Musk it is clear that he has a deep understanding of how energy works and what key components his projects are attempting to revolutionize as well as where the projects are in development. His detailed answers and technical understanding take him away from being a talking head or just the face of some of the most innovative attempts at invention that we are looking at today. He is knowledgeable and trained to see how projects need to improve in order to be accepted into the mainstream and see his dream through. These details and understanding of the inner-workings of projects help his validity. While some of his attempts at innovation appear far out – like multi-planetary living – others appear at our fingertips – like using solar more effectively and electric cars.
The least immediately acceptable question of sustainable energy as it applies to Musk is applicability. Clearly, his conviction can be applied to a lot of work focusing on sustainable energy, but he is also working on innovations that are not ready for mass consumption. Currently, it is not within the US infrastructure to own electric cars that go any significant distance and it is expensive to implement new technologies into an aging system. While his thoughts on the improvement of sustainable energy should be taken into consideration, they are currently long-term approaches to energy reformatting and not immediately applicable. However, it does appear that there is a lot happening that could improve the applicability to everyday life. (Del Rey, 2013)
The Technology of the Plug-In
Another big player in the sustainable energy work is Dan Reichter who is the Director of Climate and Energy Initiatives for Google.org. Reichter is featured on the Google Official Blog as talking about smart energy futures with a focus on plug-in hybrid cars that charge from solar-powered grids. According to Reichter, these cars can get 70 – 100 miles to the gallon and can sell their power back to the electric grid through new technology. (Reichter, 2007)
This particular blog is from Google and addresses the progress that Google is making towards addressing climate change. In line with Musk, transportation is one of the main considerations for addressing climate change. This blog specifically introduces a Google program to tackle this big question setting Google into the sustainable energy light which benefits them by increasing consumer awareness of their causes and loyalty to their products. Who wouldn’t want to do their online searches with a green company?
In terms of validity, this blog mentions key facts about greenhouse gases and the effect they have on climate change as well as an overview of how the work Google is doing is helping provide alternative transportation methods so the people can choose and efficient energy system. This is a public blog focusing on internal efforts in Google technology.
The blogs applicability is slightly more direct as it is from 2007 and we have seen hybrid cars enter the market. The blog doesn’t seem as far-fetched and may be more believable because of it. It is applicable to my study of the progress of sustainable energy and has direct implications to city infrastructure and making sustainably energy more approachable.
The Other Green: Talking Money
With the first two sources I have found somewhat idealistic and future minded, I choose a more immediate and practically focused third consideration. The Renewable Energy in Tourism Initiate produces a podcast that has spent time focusing on the financing of renewable energy. (Zieglar) On a large scale, there is significant infrastructure changes that need to be made to implement renewable energy across the United States. But, on a smaller scale, there are steps that individuals and business people can take to implement changes today.
This podcast focuses on saving money and investing in clean energy. It states that there are ways for loan, grants and tax incentives to help pave the way for change. What I appreciate about this source is that it is focused on financing today and providing examples of what can be done on the individual level. The question is if all of it will add up to enough change. Overall, we probably need all three different approaches – Invention and innovation, technology and adaptability, accessibility and acceptance – in order for major shifts to take place.
What I don’t like about this podcast is that it doesn’t contain a date. With so much change happening and so quickly, it makes it less valuable as a source because it can’t be placed in a timeline of events. Also, while it does take some practical steps, I don’t believe it calls people to do more and support more innovative approaches. For my paper on the future of sustainable energy it contributes less then I would have hoped.
Web-based Citizenship and Multi-cultural Understanding
Sustainable energy is appearing currently as a luxury consideration. The cities that are early adopters have the financial backing and socioeconomic standing to implement and test new technology. The risk is smaller in these situations. (Kern & Alber, 2008) Through these three sources I have been thinking about how I need to evaluate sources that focus on what sustainable solutions are available in lower income societies and how they could be implemented. I believe I will be able to find this online as well.
Internet Sources
The main factors of internet sourcing I have found are 1. An understanding of who is backing the project and what their own agenda is, 2. A clear date of publication for pertinence and applicability, 3. An awareness of who the author is and what credentials they have in expressing the information made available.
References
Del Rey, J. (2013, May 29). Musk: You'll Be Able to Drive Your Tesla Cross-Country by Year's End With Supercharger Expansion. Retrieved from All Things D: http://allthingsd.com/20130529/musk-youll-be-able-to-drive-your-tesla-cross-country-by-years-end-with-supercharger-expansion/
Kern, K., & Alber, G. (2008). Governing Climate Change in Cities: Modes of Urban Climate Governance in Mulit-Level Systems. Competitive Cities and Climate Change (pp. 171-196). Milan: OECD.
MacKay, D. (2008). Sustainable Energy- Without the Hot Air. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Musk, E. (2013, February). The Mind Behind Tesla, Space X, SolarCity. (C. Anderson, Interviewer)
Reichter, D. (2007, June 18 ). A Clean Energy Update. Retrieved from Google Official Blog: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/clean-energy-update.html
Zieglar, G. (n.d.). Podcast: Financing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. (A. Komar, Interviewer)
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