Energy from the sun is abundant and has never been cheaper than today. Solar power is clean and green. No emissions and locally sourced in your backyard or rooftop.
The sun evaporates water and clouds deposit it, the water runs off into rivers that can produce hydroelectricity.
Deep in the ground we can tap into heat for geothermal energy.
Trees and fast growing plants like bamboo can be burned for biomass fuel.
The wind, tides and even sewers can be tapped for energy.
Unlike finite supplies of fossil fuels, nuclear and other consumable energy sources, renewables are perpetual which means they can continue to supply our energy needs as long as the sun shines.
The Alternative Is Not Pretty
President Biden said “We’ve come to the point where it’s foolish for anyone to deny the impacts of climate change anymore.”
All anyone has to do is look out the window or watch the news to see the effects of climate change. Ponds don’t freeze up anymore, tick populations explode, more frequent tornadoes, heavier downpours and flooding, “100 year” events that seem to happen every year, more frequent and stronger hurricanes, wildfire, extreme heat, droughts and crop damage.
“The chasm between need and action is more menacing than ever,” said Secretary-General António Guterres. “It’s time for a climate ambition supernova in every country, city and sector.”
The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) The report tally’s up the annual cost of climate change related extreme weather events in the U.S. at least $150 billion each year, and that disproportionately affects under served and overburdened communities.
Everyone should be looking to do their part in reducing climate change by lessening one’s release of carbon in the atmosphere through the use of fossil fuels.
Is it possible to run a country on 100% Renewable Energy?
Yes, it is possible. Renewable energy is considered solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydro. Many counties already produce a large percentage of their energy needs from renewables.
Renewable energy generation: 71.56%
Hydroelectricity is one of the main power sources in Norway
- Iceland power near 100% of its electricity from renewable energy, using their abundant geothermal and hydro supplies.
- 80% of Brazil’s electricity needs for its 209 million people come from renewable sources, biomass and hydro mostly.
- Norway produces 72% of it’s energy from renewables, mostly hydro.
Can you live off of renewables?
There is not much an invidual can do about a countries energy decisions but now with affordable renewable energy choices and incentives from State and Federal governments, you can choose to reduce your carbon footprint by switching to renewables.
For most of us this will mean rooftop or rack mounted solar tied to the grid. Anyone building a new home or replacing a roof should be considering adding solar for the peace of mind it brings from lowering and stablizing one’s electric bills.
NREL estimates that an average of 3.3 million homes per year will be built or will require roof replacement—representing a potential of roughly 30 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity annually.
– U.S. Department of Energy
Other choices include:
- Adding a high efficiency wood stove to burn biomass (pellets, firewood)
- Upgrading appliances from gas to Energy Star electric
- Upgrading a hot water heater to a heat pump hot water heater
- Installing heat pumps for heat and AC
- Buying an EV
Residential Solar Is Taking off In the US
Analysts expect 19 GW and 27 GW of U.S. utility-scale solar to be installed in 2023 and 2024, respectively, up from their previous forecast of 13 GW and 22 GW. They expect annual additions will grow to 42 GW by 2030.
Can You Afford To Lower Your Carbon Footprint?
I’d like to say how can any one afford NOT to work on lowering their carbon footprint since the disasters of climate change – the extreme heat, the droughts, the storms, the crop loss – will effect us all no matter what our economic situation.
The good news is that tax incentives and rebates are available through the IRA or Climate Act and many of the programs are targeted at low income households.
America has to install 14,000,000 more electrified machines than the current rate of adoption over the next three years to meet our climate goals. It’s extraordinarily ambitious and absolutely possible.
Rewiring America
You can see the array of incentives here at Rewiring America – https://www.rewiringamerica.org/app/ira-calculator