Energy Solutions for Climate Change Are Not so Green

Kimora Malave ‘25

Climate change has been affecting us for quite some time, and we’ve known about it for over a century. What is happening to our Earth that is causing these changes? How about the effects? Where are our real green energy solutions? Well, they’re not what is presented to the American people as of 2022. 

Climate change is the change in average temperature or weather patterns throughout the globe. Greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and methane (CH4), build up in the ozone layer. This ultimately causes destruction to the layer that is protective to living organisms. While climate change is a naturally occurring phenomenon, our constant emissions of CO2 and CH4 have severely sped up this process, making our damages to Earth irreversible, therefore making it difficult to find realistic solutions. 

In 2021, an opinionative survey was taken by more than 200,000 locals within Somerset County, NJ. While 80% of Somerset County’s population believes global warming is happening, as specified by a Climate Opinion Map published by Yale University in 2021, about 65% don’t discuss global warming often, nor hear about it often (possibly less than once a month) [1]. 80% of Somerset county’s population has put funding towards renewable energy sources, showing a significant amount of people believe there are solutions, they just are not aware of which are authentic.  

Big oil companies, agricultural industries, transportation vehicles, and more all contribute as carbon and methane sources. We have all heard the term “green, clean energy” labeled on solar panels, wind turbines, and electric cars, but it isn’t really what it means. In order to make these final products, a lot of greenhouse gasses are actually emitted in the process. On top of that, we cannot fully rely on these energy resources. 

In the manufacturing process to make all of these energy sources, carbon dioxide is inevitably released. Since the efficiency rate of these energy sources are relatively low, a large amount of them is required. The efficiency rate of solar panels ranges from about 10-15% [2]. Explosives are used to mine the material needed for solar panels and in the smelting process, CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere. In order for wind turbines to do their energy production, trees must be cleared out of the way, the wind must be consistent, and people must have the money for the upkeep. Wind turbines can achieve a weight of over 160 tons [3]. While electric cars do not need gas, they get their electricity from a local grid, which is most likely running off of a coal power plant. Lithium is mined with explosives from South America, and electric cars require lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are lightweight, but when their lifespan is complete, they cannot be recycled. When these batteries end up in landfills, the metals it contains can leak, making this a hazard. 

Real solutions, such as the car that ran on water, have been silenced by the American government, accompanied by being taken out of the picture. Everyday solutions such as turning off lights, finding alternative ways to travel (riding a bike), and reusing what you can are simple ways to be mindful of your environment. Decision-making and rethinking can be done by anyone, meaning all of us together can make positive, big changes.  

 

[1] https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/ 

[2] http://solarbyempire.com/why-solar/solar-panel-efficiency 

[3] https://www.wind-watch.org/faq-size.php