Green

Futures
By: Griffin Cox, Samrin Samad, Caryssa
Perez, Madiha Rizvi, Sarah
Schoonhoven, Shion Mok
1. Sustainable Development

1.1 Sustainable Development’s Many Definitions              

Ecologists, economists, and social scientists have different opinions regarding the true definition
of sustainable development. For example, the term sustainability suggests “[an] equilibrium with basic
ecological support systems” (Stivers, 1976) with a focus on economic growth to economists and
environmental protection to ecologists, but a social scientist would argue that the definition lacks a social
dimension. This is just one example of the dispute over defining sustainable development. There is no
single, clear definition that is endorsed by all sides of the debate. The United Nations, an authority on the
issue of sustainable development since the Brundtland Commission, defines sustainable development as
“[a concept that] implies meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs...” (UN, 1999) which addresses all three angles of the debate
(economic, environmental, and social growth) though its definition is attacked as being too vague. And
therein lies another side of the debate over the best definition of sustainable development -- the battle over
the term’s vagueness.

1.2 The Vagueness of the Term

One famous French philosopher named Luc Ferry, pounced on the vagueness of the UN’s
definition of sustainable development, saying, “Who would like to be a proponent of an untenable
development! Of course no one! .. The term is more charming than meaningful.” ("Independently
sustainable regions," 2008)  Furthermore, Sylvie Brunel, a French geographer, argued that “...sustainable
development serves as a pretext for the protectionism [in developed nations]” ("Independently sustainable
regions," 2008) So what is the true definition of sustainable development? Just what is Thomas L.
Friedman screaming about? (Friedman, 2010)  The answer is: there is no single answer. Your definition
will differ from my definition, especially if we see the issue of sustainable development from different
fields of study. The fundamental difference of opinion lies between an ecologist and an economist; an
ecologist will place protecting the environment over the needs of a growing economy and an economist
will do just the opposite. Yet the key to understanding sustainable development lies in the balance of
economy, environment, and society.The lack of consensus over the definition of sustainable development
is part of the reason that little is being done to support sustainable development, as defined by any side of
the issue.

2. Overview of Alternate Energy Sources

There are a variety of alternate energy sources available today, and more are thought to be available in the
future. Such sources range from practical, yet expensive ideas, including solar power, to sources not yet
feasible, such as nuclear fission. A more detailed explanation of each of these energy sources is found in
this section.

2.1 Energy from the Sun: Solar Power

Solar energy, or energy from the sun’s rays, currently makes up almost 1 percent of the United
States’ energy mix (About solar energy, 2010). Energy can be obtained from the sun either through its

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light, by using a photovoltaic system, or its heat, by using a solar-thermal system (U.S. Department of
Energy). These sources are highly sustainable, as they emit no greenhouse gases, but at the same time
only regions with enough sunlight per day will find this solution feasible.

2.2 Energy from the Air: Wind Power

Another option is to use wind power. When the wind powers a turbine, the kinetic energy from
the turbine blades’ movement can be used for many purposes (Layton, 2006). Only approximately 30
percent of the United States’ area has wind speeds fast enough to hold wind farms of any value, and much
of that land is already heavily populated (U.S. Department of Energy, 2010). Nevertheless, wind power is
highly sustainable, and simple turbines can be fairly easy to manufacture, although highly expensive to
purchase (Layton, 2006).

2.3 Energy from the Earth: Geo-Thermal Power

Geo-thermal power is heat from within the earth. When radioactive particles decay in the earth’s
core, an almost constant process, heat is produced. Drilling is into the earth is the only way to access and
harness this heat. Optimal locations for these drilling sites are those on tectonic plate boundaries,
therefore limiting the amount of optimal locations to countries that have a plate border within their own
borders. Geo-thermal energy sites produce only 1 percent of a fossil fuel plant’s greenhouse gases,
making geo-thermal energy highly efficient (U.S. Department of Energy).

2.4 Energy from the Water: Hydro-Electric and Ocean Thermal Energy
Water can be used to produce energy in multiple ways. Much like wind power, water can flow
through underwater electric turbines to collect kinetic energy (U.S. Department of Energy). The heat from
the ocean floor makes electric power from solar radiation, which also removes the salt from the water
(U.S. Department of the Interior, 2006). Both of these sources are sustainable, but both also have
incredibly high startup costs.

2.5 Energy from Atoms: Nuclear Fusion and Fission

Energy can be obtained on a molecular level as well. Two atoms can be fused together
To make one large nucleus; if done at a high temperature, energy is released, but the process is difficult
and dangerous. Nuclear fission, or the splitting of one atom into two smaller ones, is much easier, but
releases only a fraction of the energy that fusion would (Nuclear Energy-Fusion and Fission, 2010).

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3. Why fossil fuels aren’t sustainable

Fossil fuels aren’t sustainable - by any definition of the term -  for two major reasons. First,  fossil fuels
(natural gas, coal, petroleum, and other derivatives) can be depleted as there is a finite amount of each
with a miniscule replenishment rate, though there is debate as to when these resources will be depleted.
Besides the fact that fossil fuels aren’t sustainable, the continued use of fossil fuels is unsustainable to the
continued well-being of the planet. According to National Geographic, “There are several greenhouse
gases responsible for warming, and humans emit them in a variety of ways. Most come from the
combustion of fossil fuels in cars, factories and electricity production. The gas responsible for the most
warming is carbon dioxide, also called CO2.” (Geographic)  It’s the continued use of fossil fuels that is
responsible for global warming. Unfortunately, a linear relationship exists between fossil fuels  and the
environment - more fossil fuel use, more environmental catastrophe. According to Chemical &
Engineering News, “...enough fossil-fuel resources exist for us to continue in a business-as-usual mode
for some time, but at what cost, even leaving climate change aside? [...] We’re blasting the tops off of
mountains in West Virginia to get at the coal beneath them, in the process destroying hundreds of miles of
pristine streams and despoiling hundreds of square miles of landscape, essentially forever. How much of
our environment are we willing to degrade to satisfy our addiction to fossil fuels?” (Baum, 2010)  Fossil
fuels themselves aren’t sustainable and the biproducts of their use (CO2 among other negative products of
their procuring and combustion) aren’t sustainable to the health of the planet.

4. The Problems Caused by Fossil Fuels: Impacts and Consequences

Fossil fuels cause many problems in the environment, and the economy.

4.1 Fossil Fuels and “Global Weirding”

Fossil fuels, when used and produced, emit greenhouse gases, or gases such as carbon dioxide
and methane, can be harmful to the planet when released into earth’s atmosphere. These gases trap the
sun’s solar heat energy, effectively raising earth’s temperature, hence the term “global warming.” (U.S.
Department of Energy, 2004) The consequences of global warming, better described by the moniker
“global weirding,” are dire. The planet’s warming will cause, and already has caused, the polar ice caps to
melt, flooding coastal areas around the globe. As the ice caps melt, water levels increase on oceanic
coasts and islands; should they increase by too much, some entire island nations will be without a home,
as well as many of the world’s largest cities (Impacts of global warming, 2010). Aside from damage due
to water, the change in temperatures has already been very destructive to many climate zones. With
longer warm seasons, many animal and insect species are having longer lives, sometimes causing harm to
the region’s other plants and animals. Some animalsrun the risk of extinction if the planet warms any
more than it already has, such as many species of penguins and polar bears (National Geographic, 2007).

4.2 Nonrenewable Resources

Another problem with fossil fuels is that they are not renewable. Once the world’s supply of oil
and coal is used up, there will be no more; should the planet run out of oil, and not have an alternate

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source of energy, billions of people would be without energy and thus without access to clean water,
health care, and other necessities. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2004).

5. Sustainable Energy

Natural resources can provide the same amount of energy as oil and natural gas while simultaneously
reducing costs (over the long-run) and carbon dioxide emissions. There are several sources of sustainable
energy that exist or are being researched today.
         
5.1 Solar Energy
The sun has been the biggest producer of energy (in the form of radiant energy) since the
beginning of life on Earth. Solar energy reaches Earth in the form of the sun’s rays (solar radiation). This
energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity. When converted to
thermal energy, solar energy can be used to heat water in places like homes, buildings or swimming
pools. It can also be used to heat spaces inside homes, not just simply water.
          Solar energy can be converted to electricity in two ways: photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells”
or by concentrating solar power plants. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Individual photovoltaic cells are grouped into groups and then panels and arrays of panels that can be
used in a wide range of applications ranging from single small cells that charge calculator and watch
batteries, to systems that power single homes, to large power plants covering many acres. When
concentrating solar power plants in one area, electricity is generated by using the heat from solar thermal
collectors to heat a fluid which produces steam.  That steam is then used to power the generator.
          Even though solar energy seems efficient and beneficial to its full extent, there are two drawbacks
to using it. The first is that the amount of sunlight that arrives at the Earth’s surface is not constant. It is
true that solar energy is by far the Earth's most available energy source and that it is capable of providing
many times the total current energy demand, but it is an intermittent energy source, meaning that it is not
available at all times. The amount received depends on location, time of the day, time of year, and other
weather conditions that are necessary to take into account. Another drawback is that because the sun
doesn’t deliver that much energy to any one place at any one time, a large surface area is required to
college the energy in a useful rate. Remote areas are needed for sufficient collection of solar energy,
which are rare. Even if remote areas are easily allocated, then transferring the energy far away to cities
would be costly and inefficient.

5.2 Nuclear Fusion and Fission

          Nuclear fusion occurs when two atomic nuclei are forced together by high pressure – high enough
pressure to overcome the strong repulsive forces of the respective protons in the nuclei. When the nuclei
fuse, they form a new element, and release energy in the form of a fast-moving neutron. Nuclear fusion is
a process in which number of atomic particles join together to form a heavier nucleus. Huge release or
absorption of energy accompanies this reaction.
          Nuclear fusion has not yet been successfully controlled; the technology has not yet yielded a net
gain of energy. The energy released at once is uncontrollable. It requires that the fuel nuclei be moving
very fast, or be heated to very high temperatures. Scientists for the last 50 years have been trying to figure
out how to do this, but so far the technology available is not equal their ambitions. Nuclear fusion will be

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an important source of power in the future because the prospect of successful nuclear fusion technology
promises virtually unlimited energy, with very little danger. Furthermore, the radiation from a magnetic
containment device is easily shielded, and if there is an accident, the reaction immediately stops.
          Nuclear Fission, on the other hand, is when one atom is split into two. Here high-energy neutrons
split heavy atoms of uranium. Its atoms are constantly 'falling apart', breaking up into smaller elements
that are more stable. Every time one nucleus does this, it releases the extra energy it no longer needs to
hold it together, as well as a few left-over neutrons. This energy, and the escaping neutrons, is what we
describe as the radiation being emitted from the radioactive element. This energy and flow of escaping
neutrons can damage human cells, so radioactivity is dangerous. This process results in release of huge
amount of energy; however, this also releases large radioactive waste and high radiation, cancer-causing
waves, which remain for long period.
          Despite their risk, many different kinds of nuclear power plants exist today. A nuclear power plant
harnesses the energy inside atoms themselves and converts this to electricity. A nuclear power plant uses
controlled nuclear fission. A nuclear power plant produces electricity in almost exactly the same way that
a conventional (fossil fuel) power plant does, with steam and turbines. A conventional power plant burns
fuel to create heat. The fuel is generally coal, but oil is also sometimes used. The heat is used to raise the
temperature of water, thus causing it to boil. The high temperature and intense pressure steam that result
from the boiling of the water turns a turbine, which then generates electricity. A nuclear power plant
works the same way, except that the heat used to boil the water is produced by a nuclear fission reaction
using 235U as fuel, not the combustion of fossil fuels. A nuclear power plant uses much less fuel than a
comparable fossil fuel plant. A rough estimate is that it takes 17,000 kilograms of coal to produce the
same amount of electricity as 1 kilogram of nuclear uranium fuel (Students for Students, 1998).
       
5.3 Hydroelectric Power
If the United States switched to hydroelectric power for generating electricity, more electricity
would be generated than wind, solar or geothermal energy. Compared to the other types of green energy
generation, water (which is what the hydro- in hydropower stands for) is a resource that can be depended
on because it is always present. The sun will be only present during  daytime, and wind might not always
be readily available, but water is a resource that is always constantly available in many areas. A lot of
energy can be generated by water that is flowing swiftly or descending rapidly, as long as it is in motion.
Power plants are located in the water source, such as a water fall, and generate energy when water
pressure moves the blades of a turbine causing it to spin. ("EIA energy kids") Two types of systems can
be used to produce electricity with water: a storage system, and a run-of-the-river system. The latter is
used when force from a current is needed to apply a certain amount of pressure on the turbines at a
particular time. A storage system is used to store water created by dams so that it can only be released
when needed. This type of energy generation creates renewable energy because water used to power the
system is recycled through the water cycle. (U.S Department of Energy, 2010)

         
5.4 Geothermal Energy
Heat energy from below the Earth’s crust can also be used to produce affordable and clean
energy. This heat is produced from decaying radioactive materials below the Earth’s crust, in a molten
rock layer called magma. (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2009) The highest temperatures obtained from
this layer can be found in areas containing volcanoes and those with earthquakes and natural hot springs

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and geysers. Geothermal power plants work by capturing steam from heated water that is driven to the
surface when cool water moves into the Earth’s crust and heats up. Dry steam, flash steam, and binary
cycle are three ways of capturing this steam. (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2009) In the dry steam
design, the steam is condensed into water after moving through a turbine. Hot water is depressurized into
steam for driving turbines in the flash steam system, and in binary cycle it heats another liquid which
boils at a lower temperature and therefore easily converts into steam. Advantages of geothermal energy
include the production of continuous energy and the presence of about 50,000 times more energy than all
the oil and natural gas resources in the world contained in heat located within only 33,000 feet of the
Earth’s surface. (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2009)

      
5.5 Wind Power   
Another type of power generation is wind power. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in
wind, which rotates the turbine’s blade, to mechanical energy. (U.S Department of Energy, 2010) A
generator is used to convert this mechanical energy into electricity, or the mechanical energy can also be
used by itself for certain tasks (i.e. water pumping). More power is generated with higher wind speed, for
twice the wind speed will produce up to eight times more power. (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2009)
There are several advantages to switching over to wind energy, including a decrease in natural gas prices,
greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. Rural areas can experience economic growth by
building wind turbines, because most power can be developed in open areas such as farms which will
have abundant wind. This is also a disadvantage of wind power, because in order to get this power from
rural areas to urban areas, transmission lines and other infrastructure must be implemented first. Wind
technology has huge start-up costs but pays for itself in the long-run.

6. Our Green Future

6.1 Recycling
Recycling consists of collecting recyclable materials, turning them into raw materials,
and manufacturing the recycled materials into new products. It turns raw materials (paper,
plastic, aluminum, etc.) that would go to landfills into usable resources, and protects and expands
manufacturing jobs and job competition, reduces landfills, prevents pollution by reducing
greenhouse gases, conserves natural resources, and aids in general environmental sustainability
(EPA, 2010). One can easily recycle by collecting used items such as bottles, cans, and
newspapers and putting them in a recycle bin or to a collection facility, but there are numerous
other recyclables that aren’t commonly known.
Electronics can be recycled instead of simply thrown in the dumpster: CDs, DVDs, cell
phones, computer monitors, computers, DVD players, inkjet cartridges, motherboards, MP3
players, office machines, televisions, VCRs, and video games--when such items become
unusable, they can be returned to the producers (Apple, Microsoft, Best Buy, etc.) free of charge,
to be recycled.
Hazardous materials such as paint and paint thinners can be taken to recycled paint retailers;
rechargeable batteries and single-use batteries can be taken to collection centers, where their

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acids will be drained for reuse, and their metals and plastic parts reprocessed for other uses;
plastic bags and wrap can be taken to some grocery stores for recycling; paper is among the
easiest material to recycle;  brown paper bags, cardboard, computer paper, magazines,
newspapers, and wrapping paper can be recycled to create other paper products; books can be
recycled similarly, resold, or donated; metals such as aerosol cans, aluminum cans, aluminum
foils, iron, and steel can be recycled and reprocessed to create other metal products; auto bodies
and auto parts are comprised of various materials including steel and iron, and can also be
recycled (Earth911, 2010).
While recycling has increased in the U.S., the amount of waste being produced is greatly
outpacing the rate at which it is recycled--the recycling and composting rate of municipal solid
waste was at 32% as of 2005, an improvement from 1980, when less rates were less than 10%.
However, since 1980, municipal solid waste has also grown by 60% (246 million tons per year in
2005) (EPA, 2010).

6.2 Green Jobs

Green jobs, or green collar jobs as Green For All puts it, combine the environment and making a
living into a sustainable package. Unlike oil rig workers or coal miners, windmill operators and dam
engineers - green collar workers- have positive consequences for the environment and the economy. In
other words, a person’s commitment to their job would also be their commitment to the planet. In
response to climate change, a large green economy is developing and already the profits of this economy
are visible. In 2006, green jobs generated 8.5 million jobs, $970 billion in revenue, and $100 billion in
profits for industries. Continued growth is limited, however, due to insufficient skills and training
necessary to operate green technology (NREL). In response to the lack of training, President Bush signed
the Green Jobs Act in 2007, which allotted $125 million dollars to train veterans, displaced workers, at-
risk youth, and families in extreme poverty to operate and install solar panels and weatherization projects.
Throughout the world, countries aim to create 25 million more green jobs by 2020, where they hope to
elevate much of the impoverished into the burgeoning middle class. Although, the projected cost of 25
millions more jobs is approximately $5.5 trillion (US dollars), the nations of the world see the capabilities
of a green collar economy, which will provide clean energy without destroying the planet or the economy.

6.3 Government and Company Policy Changes

Every nation who signed the Kyoto Protocol utilizes several policies that hope to mitigate the
consequences of climate change. These include: Emissions Trading, Clean Development Mechanisms
(CDM’s), and Joint Implementation. Emissions Trading, most commonly recognized as cap and trade, is
when a nation is allocated a certain permissible level of carbon emissions. The total number of carbon
permits issued is equal to the desired goal. For example, if global emissions of carbon are 6 billion tons
and the goal is to reduce this by 1 billion, permits for 5 billion tons of emissions are issued. Each nation
allocates how many emissions they will produce in the form of a permit. Those that exceed their allotted
amount of emissions (those that fail to meet their set goals) can purchase permits from other nations that
were under their emissions cap (nations that achieved their goals for the given year). For example, if
China emitted more than was allotted, it could purchase permits from Britain, if Britain emitted less than

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their allotted goal. Although, Emissions Trading is successful, it is limited by its difficulty to regulate and
high costs.
          Clean Development Mechanisms are when a country begins a clean energy project in a developing
nation. Said country is credited for the project and the developing nation gets the green technology.
Although CDM’s enable richer, more developed countries to help developing nations acquire green
technology, it removes the incentive for the developing nations to continue or improve upon green
technology and is very difficult to implement based on high cost, difficulty of obtaining approval, and
difficulty of foreseeing consequences of a green technology project.
          Joint Implementation is similar to CDM’s in that a more developed country earns credits for
reducing emissions in another country, which is utilized towards the target emission goal for the country.
However, the credits are emission reduction units (ERU’s) earned from an emission-reduction project
between any two countries. In summation, “joint implementation offers Parties a flexible and cost-
efficient means of fulfilling a part of their Kyoto commitments, while the host Party benefits from foreign
investment and technology transfer” (UNFCCC). Although Joint Implementation allows nations to
leapfrog into renewable energy, it decreases emissions of only the host country and thus allows non-host
countries to keep polluting.
          Despite the positive consequences of the three emission-reducing mechanisms, are still too lax to
reinforced and understood by governments and companies across the world. However, if a carbon tax is
mandated in governments across the world it would reduce more emissions than CDM’s, Joint
Implementation, and Emissions Trading ever could. Not only does it provide a financial incentive to
develop renewable energy technologies but with the increased spending carbon taxes would jump start an
economy out of a recession. Moreover, a carbon tax is better understood by the voting populace and
would pass easier through legislation.

6.4 The Take Away: It is not too late

Because the world has neglected this issue so much in the past decades, it is inevitable that all
countries will face the accumulated consequences of climate change. However, it’s not too late to mitigate
the impact of climate change. A carbon based economy is becoming a thing of the past as more people
realize its harmful effects to the environment and the economy in the long-run. The world’s governments
are making environmental sustainability policies a top priority, even if the media is not. The biggest
hurdle now is getting all countries to agree on environmental policies--developed countries have different
priorities than developing countries, and countries in geographically safe locations have different
priorities than countries in danger of sinking under rising sea levels. All countries must make policies
reducing emissions a topmost priority, and agree upon and act upon these policies as soon as possible, or
damages will become truly irreversible.
The individual can contribute to environmental sustainability efforts on a personal level in ways
such as: conserving water when washing the dishes, washing hands, brushing teeth, and taking shorter
showers; recycling and buying recycled products; choosing to walk, bus, bike, or carpool instead of
driving; and turning off the lights when not needed. One can contribute on a local level by pressing for
change in local company policies. One can contribute globally by supporting the government policies that
aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is possible to preserve the planet, but only with swift, decisive
action from all who are involved--that is, everyone in the world.

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