Green Energy News | September 19, 1999

September 19, 1999 – Vol.4 No.25

ENERGIES... week of September 19, 1999

THE FUTURE OF EARTH. The United Nations report “Global Environment Outlook 2000,” (GEO 2000) released this week, spells out a gloomy future for life on earth. With global warming that can’t be stopped, nitrogen levels in water supplies at critical levels, 80% of the earth’s original forests cleared or degraded, a quarter of mammal species near extinction, half the world’s coral reefs threatened, hurricanes on the rise and forest fires increasing in frequency, things aren’t looking too good for tomorrow’s children.

But does this report mean there’s no hope at all? Should we just give up and hope for the best? Of course not.

Two and half years ago, when work on the report began, 60-70 mile-per-gallon cars weren’t available, power deregulation allowing consumers to purchase clean and renewable energy hadn’t been enacted, major corporations weren’t acknowledging that global warming even existed, let alone willing to play a part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Now, depending on where you live, all have taken place.

So there is hope, but the pace of progress needs to quicken - from a purposeful walk to a long sprint with a goal line in sight. Visit the United Nations Environment Program at http://www.unep.org/ . (GEO 2000 can be ordered through the site.)

TASMANIA THE CARBON SINK. The island state off the south coast of Australia plans to become Australia’s only greenhouse gas sink - and profit from it. According to the Australian Associated Press, Tasmania removes more carbon dioxide from the air than it produces - a net average per capita of minus 8.3 tons per year. That is, since 60% of the state is forest and all power is produced from renewable hydroelectric, it soaks up more emissions than it makes.

Tasmania would like to earn an income from this unusual situation and sell carbon credits though an emissions trading program. Though details of emissions trading for greenhouse gases are yet to be finalized, programs would allow industries to buy net carbon sink capacity rather than reducing emissions by other means. One valid concern with trading programs is that wealthy nations or industries would simply buy credits rather than actually reduce emissions - avoiding real reductions indefinitely.

The Tasmanian state would also like to increase its sink capacity by developing cleared land into plantations and building more renewable power, such as wind energy, to sell to the mainland.

Learn about Australia’s emissions strategy from the Australian Greenhouse Office at http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/ .

SOLAR FOR MALAWI. This tiny nation in Southern Africa would like to see solar energy replace firewood as fuel. In a nation where only 4% of 10 million people have grid-connected power, trees are harvested for cooking and heating, but the nation also averages 3000 hours per year of sunshine. Deforestation has caused flooding and environmental damage. Through the Malawi Sustainable and Renewable Energy Program, funded in part by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), solar will be pursued to power refrigerators, light schools and libraries and heat solar (thermal reflective) stoves.

It is hoped that power from the sun will help raise the nation’s standard of living. Per capita Gross Domestic Product is about $200 per year. Visit the UNDP at http://www.undp.org/ .