subject: Green Solar Energy Or Brown Clouds [print this page] I have lead in my brain, mercury in my nervous system, and benzene damaged kidneys. I breath arsenic and nickel into my lungs to my oxygen starved heart, while singing in the acid rain, looking through smog and sulfurous clouds, with tears in my eyes trying to see a hole in my ozone" these words may seem an exaggeration of our condition, or are they?
Recently the Worldwatch Institute said, "We have overwhelmed the natural systems from which we emerged and created the dangerous illusion that we no longer depend on a healthy environment. As a result, humanity now faces a challenge that rivals any in its history: restoring balance with nature while expanding economic opportunities for the billions of people whose basic needs--for food and clean water, for example--are still not being met." Governments are not solving the energy issues, nor can we wait for them. International global communication exists today, creating an environment that allows the people immediate interaction. Immediate communication. Immediate comprehension. An immediate exchange of ideas, and innovations that can lead to real solutions. Do not wait for it to happen, make it happen. Become part of a solution. Solar Power is one of those solutions. I believe Solar PV Panels are a cost effective form of energy today. We need to put more emphasis on how Solar Energy and other Renewable Energy can contribute in solving these problems. More solar power, less pollution!
The demands for power in India and China are enormous. The congested cities of New England as well as the West coast of America, and across Europe also contribute to the unrealistic electrical needs that impose on our natural resources. But at what cost? We all know we cannot continue to rape the planet of its resources. Nor can we continue to pollute our air and water. This is not the environment we want to live in. This is not the legacy we want to pass to the worlds next generation - to our children. First, we need a better understanding of the problem, a grass-roots grasp. Not just at home, but across all borders. Vast academic studies and research are necessary and valuable, yet hold little meaning if we have no real appreciation, or understanding of the tangible issues that people face everyday. How much power does your flat require in Hong Kong, is Solar Power practical? What is it like to breath kerosene fumes all evening in Kenya, would Solar Lights help? How is the air in Mumbai? We must consider that solar power requires very little infrastructure to be implemented. Solar Panels have strong advantages.
Are the electrical problems the same in all large cities? Is the problem the same in Tokyo as it is in Mexico City, Mumbai as is in Sao Paulo, Shanghai as is in Lagos, how about Seoul versus Cairo, or Moscow versus Paris? How about a Solar Power Plant in Sri Lanka, instead of Nuclear? Meeting manufacturing demands in China are a moment-to-moment demand. One would think the electrical demands of London are no different than the ones experienced in New York, or Frankfurt. Or are they? Are the solutions different, is Solar Energy an option? However, one would expect a difference of opinion in Ethiopia, where perhaps power for pumping and purifying water may dominate. Keep in mind there is a great difference in the need of providing light to read in your grass hut, versus light for your recreational vehicle. In the 21st century, electrical power is no longer a want, it is a need.
