Why Seeking Energy Independence is Wrong
If we want to reduce pollutions, we have to set this as a goal.
Some think that the Energy Independence Act of 2007 is a good thing
because it could enable clean energy production, and it could, but it
does not because energy independence can be easily achieved with
environmentally damaging solutions.
A recent study
led by Duke University recommends to not use land to grow corn for
biofuel production using current technologies because it is inefficient
to address greenhouse gas emissions although the government already
subsidizes corn biofuel production under the Energy Independence Act of
2007.
Conserving energy and other measures are much more efficient at
addressing both climate change and energy independence.
The rate of capture of solar energy is around 1% to 2% with biofuels
whereas a typical solar thermal plant can convert 20% to 30% of that
same solar energy into electricity which can be converted to mechanical
energy in high efficiency (85%) electric engines whereas the best
diesel internal combustion engine have efficiencies around 40%.
Furthermore, biofuel production competes with food production, and if
generalized would prompt a global food crisis, whereas solar thermal
plant are typically installed in deserts. Electricity can also be
produced very cost-effectively with wind power over lands which can be
used simultaneously for agriculture.
Energy independence in the end is a protectionist measure aiming at
starving the middle east from oil revenues in the hope to address
terrorism. This also is wrong because terrorism might actually increase
if the pro-western governments of middle-eastern countries such as
Saudi-Arabia are destabilized and replaced by Islamic regimes. Instead
we need to promote sustainable development in the middle east to
prepare for the times when the revenues from oil will dramatically
decrease in the middle-east.
Wrong policies lead to the wrong results.
The policies we need must be based on sustainable development and aim
at reducing all pollutions, not just addressing climate change. The
pollutions of our cities and the increased rates of cancers and
respiratory diseases will not be addressed by any protectionist measure.
The technologies to produce clean energy exist, we know how to produce
efficient electric cars. Planes could fly using synthetic fuels from
renewable energies. The only thing stopping us from getting there are
the appropriate policies.
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