Energy is one sector which has very far to go to meet human needs in a sustainable way. There is a considerable inequality in energy consumption worldwide. This problem is caused in a large part by the overconsumption of energy by the white-dominated Western world. We, as individuals, hold some responsibility for this overconsumption; but megacorporations, especially energy giants like Exxon and Shell, are by far the biggest contributors to climate change. In order to begin solving the polycrisis, the reduction and ultimate retraction of fossil fuel use need to be the utmost priorities in order to keep under 2ºC of global warming, as recommended by the IPCC. This is paramount because at over 2ºC sea levels will rise at least 2 meters, causing worldwide coastal flooding and saltwater intrusion of freshwater supplies. Sea level rise will also cause millions to evacuate and flee their homes, producing multitudes more climate refugees than we already have. Warming temperatures allow moisture to more easily collect in the atmosphere, which forms more violent storms. This couples with more extreme weather events, such as longer droughts and more extreme winter storms. This presents problems with flooding and is a severe threat to much of the world’s food production. Currently the world sits at about 1.2ºC and we already see the beginning of the climate disaster (UN 2022). The world needs to change very rapidly in order to stay below the 2ºC threshold.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuel megacorporations and the richest 1% of the population disproportionately contribute to climate change, leading our world into a climate disaster. According to the United Nations, 75% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from fossil fuels. The rate at which we reduce the use of fossil fuels must be vastly accelerated. The IPCC warns that fossil fuel emissions must be halved within 11 years to stay below 2ºC of warming. In Addison County, the Climate Economy Action Center proposed a feasible 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as its goal (Climate Economy Action Committee 2022). Certainly as a nation, we can reduce the total energy used and eliminate unnecessary waste, but that will only take us so far. Technological advancement making energy more efficient will be an important part of this, but won’t be our saving grace unless we couple it with fossil fuel reduction.
The proposed reduction in fossil fuel use allows cleaner sources of energy to make up the remainder. Far more investment needs to be made in renewable energy sources in order to expand it as a sector to meet energy demands.
Nuclear energy
Nuclear power is an intriguing option; theoretically nuclear power would be the cleanest option with zero carbon emissions. Unfortunately with nuclear fission, radioactive waste becomes a major problem because disposal is difficult and potentially dangerous. However, as technology advances, nuclear fusion has the potential to be a changing point in clean energy. Fusion is the same process which occurs within the sun and has the greatest potential to make the largest amount of clean power. No nuclear waste would be created, only massive amounts of energy. This, however, will require time, research, and funding.
Biomass
Biomass is considered a renewable energy source and is present on the Middlebury campus in our biomass plant; however, the trees used in the making of the pellets are usually cut down faster than they are replaced. It isn’t the cleanest energy source on a larger scale but is quite effective on a small scale such as Middlebury’s. However, even on a smaller scale, such as residential wood-stoves, it releases particulates into the atmosphere which harm human health.
Hydroelectric and Tidal
Hydroelectric and tidal energy are among the cleanest energy sources with zero carbon emissions other than in manufacturing or equipment. They are not without detriments however, as they affect aquatic habitats. Dams interfere with anadromous fish species that cannot migrate upstream to spawn. Additionally, the land which is flooded in the process has particularly affected many BIPOC communities adversely (EnergySage 2022).
Wind
Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable sector in the United States, with over 120,000 jobs and the capacity to support 600,000 in the near future (Energy.gov 2022). It is also considered to be the most cost effective renewable source of energy, along with solar. As with all sources of energy there are drawbacks; wind is intermittent and does not always give a constant supply, but excess energy can often be stored on a grid. Additionally, wind turbines can interfere with habitats. “Not in my backyard” attitudes also often push wind turbine fields to develop closer to low income areas and disproportionately affect BIPOC communities. These communities are often afflicted with noise and visual pollution because of wind power.
Solar
Solar energy is among the cleanest energy sources available. Solar panels are increasingly affordable and cost effective in the long run. Most pay for themselves in 5-15 years. Like with wind energy, it is weather dependent, but the solar grid is far more effective than in the past. Solar energy generation also allows beneficial attitudes of sharing and community, as well as increasing self sufficiency. Solar energy is making large strides, with a 22% increase in output in 2020 globally (EnergySage 2022). Middlebury relies on solar a great deal. The expansion of our solar grid could be a great solution for meeting our energy needs here at Middlebury College in the future.
Renewable Energy in Middlebury
Currently the Town of Middlebury is working toward the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions of town operations by 80% by the fiscal year 2029-2030 compared to the fiscal year 2018-2019 (Energy Committee et al. 2023:3). Working toward this goal, Middlebury currently has 172 solar energy sites consisting of 25 ground-mounted PV sites, 119 roof-mounted sites, and 28 solar hot water sites with a combined electrical capacity of 4.7 megawatt, according to the Vermont Community Energy Dashboard (Town of Middlebury, Vermont n.d.). Because of these installations combined with energy sourcing from Green Mountain Power, which is almost entirely emission free, Middlebury has reduced its emissions by 40% since the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Future projects proposed by the Energy Committee from their meeting on January 18, 2023 include solar installations on the Town Office building rooftop and the Amtrak train station canopy (Energy Committee 2023). While Middlebury is making great strides in renewable energy through solar, there has not yet been great progress in biomass, hydroelectric, or wind. However, the Town of Middlebury has stated that they are exploring the possibilities of biomass, biogas, wind, and restoring hydropower at Middlebury Falls (Town of Middlebury, Vermont n.d.). To successfully attain their current goal which should only be a first step toward the larger goal of providing clean and affordable energy for everyone in the town, solar projects should continue to be expanded along with development of other renewable energy sources.
Works Cited
Nations, United. “Causes and Effects of Climate Change.” United Nations, https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change. Accessed 9 Apr. 2023.
Xu, Qi, and Salim Khan. “How Do R&D and Renewable Energy Consumption Lead to Carbon Neutrality? Evidence from G-7 Economies.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, no. 5, Mar. 2023, p. 4604. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054604
Aggarwal, Vikram. “Pros And Cons of Solar Energy Explained | EnergySage.” EnergySage Blog, 28 Nov. 2022, https://news.energysage.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-energy/.Pros And Cons of Wind Energy | EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/about-clean-energy/wind/pros-cons-wind-energy/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2023.
Del Bene, Daniela, et al. “Energy Sovereignty.” Pluriverse: A Post-Development Dictionary, pp. 178–81.
Town of Middlebury, Vermont. (n.d.). Renewable Energy. Town of Middlebury, VT. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.townofmiddlebury.org/committees/middlebury_energy_committee_(development)/renewable_energy.php
Energy Committee, Hopkins, R., Roy, M., & Widelitz, H. (2023, January 10). Update on the Town of Middlebury’s Progress in Reducing CO2 Emissions from Town Operations. Town of Middlebury, Vermont. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://cms5.revize.com/revize/middlebury/document_center/Boards%20Commissions/Energy%20Committee/2023%20Meeting%20Packets/Update%20on%20the%20Town%20of%20Middlebury%E2%80%99s%20Progress%20in%20Reducing%20CO2%20Emissions%20from%20Town%20Operations%20updated%20Jan%2019.pdf
Energy Comittee. (2023, January 28). Energy Committee Project Status. Town of Middlebury, Vermont. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://cms5.revize.com/revize/middlebury/document_center/Boards%20Commissions/Energy%20Committee/2023%20Meeting%20Packets/Energy%20Committee%20Project%20List%20-%201-18-2023.pdf
“DOE Finds Record Production and Job Growth in U.S. Wind Power Sector.” Energy.Gov, https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-finds-record-production-and-job-growth-us-wind-power-sector. Accessed 25 Apr. 2023.
“A Climate Action Plan for Addison County, Vermont.” CLIMATE ECONOMY ACTION CENTER of Addison County, 14 June 2022, https://middleburyclimateeconomyinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2022/06/ceac-climate-action-plan-for-addison-county-final-061422.pdf.