AN APPEAL TO YOU: CAN WE LOOK AT THE ALTERNATIVES?

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Hello everyone,

Thank you for meeting up so soon, especially considering how recent our last meeting was. I cannot but reflect on how joyous our ‘little affair’ with mother earth ended over the decreasing concentration of atmospheric pollutants in our cities. I could not be any gladder! Whilst we reflect on this good news, and await resumption to ‘business as usual’, there is one more agenda I wish we could pursue together.

Consider being on a jury of a case where one is found guilty without sending the fellow to serve some term or any punishment; it would simply portray the scenario of pouring water into a basket: your guess is a s good as mine. The adoption of this analogy is to remind us of how ‘important’ the use of fossil fuel has been in increasing atmospheric pollution over the years. Should we just sit and do nothing? – a fair question for us all. Not appreciating its contribution to global development and revolutions would be a trial to say; the least fair. However, I guess it is important we ask ourselves if going the fossil way is the only way.

My discourse today focuses on the alternative forms of energy: a topic which to some may be novel and to others, a reminder. I am pursing this agenda due to energy’s inevitable role in the economic growth, progress, and development, as well as poverty eradication and security of any nation, hence: making accessibility to affordable and clean energy a necessity for all. In its basic form, alternative energy describes the form of energy produced or generated in a way that does not exhaust natural resources or cause damage to the environment.

Consider the sun that shines for long hours daily: helping in drying harvested products like cocoa and the clothes we wash. The heat from the sun is sometimes as intense as could heat a bucket of water when exposed to it and can burn a paper when concentrated through a glass. With these amazing potentials, the sun’s energy has been harnessed to produce light, heat and electricity and is described as the most abundant and renewable energy source. This form of energy is referred to as: solar energy.

Fig. 1: Solar Energy-its advantages and limitations
Fig. 1: Solar Energy-its advantages and limitations

ADVANTAGES

  • Doesn’t cause pollution
  • Can be used in remote areas
  • Solar energy is infinite (will last forever)
  • Many things can run using solar power
  • Require little maintenance

LIMITATIONS

  • Can only be harnessed in daylight
  • Relatively expensive to make
  • Unreliable climate means unreliable source of energy

The most efficient solar panels can only convert 20% of sun’s energy

I have always admired how kites fly and other seemingly lighter objects fly in the sky when the air blows. For anyone who pays some attention, you notice that the wind helps carry these objects from one place to the other. I have even imagined sometimes the wind carrying some human beings away-lol. In essence, it is evident that the wind has the ability to do some work and hence can be said to be a source of energy. Wind energy as it is commonly known can be used to generate electricity as has been seen in some countries (see figure 2). Nevertheless, despite its ability to run during the day and night, produce no greenhouse gases and can be placed anywhere, the strength of wind varies, the power stations are loud, they take up a lot of space and produce less energy compared to fossil fuels.

Fig. 2 Wind energy generating farm
Fig. 2 Wind energy generating farm

Have you also ever wondered what could be done with the organic waste from our kitchens and other activities? Most of us simply dispose them to the waste collection sites or on the bare lands. What if I told you that: what we refer to as waste has seen in recent years; its usage in the production of biogas, liquid biofuels and solid biomass: forms of energy that makes up bioenergy. The organic materials used in the production of bioenergy is referred to as biomass (see figure 3). This form of energy is renewable, produces less greenhouse gases and low levels of pollution. However, it is quite expensive and harder to make.

Fig. 3 Biomass for bioenergy
Fig. 3 Biomass for bioenergy

As we deliberate on the alternative forms of energy, one of the energy forms that has stood the test of time is hydroelectric energy or hydroelectric power. It is one of the earliest form of energy that employs the power of water in motion. Most of the hydroelectric power is derived from the potential energy of dammed water (figure 4) turning a water turbine and a generator. Hydroelectric energy accounted for 70% of all renewable energy in 2015 and it is expected to increase in the next 25 years. This is due to its reliability and efficiency, cleanness and flexibility when it comes to electricity demands. There are however worries about the cost in construction, dam failure and community impacts especially during the construction of the dam.

Fig. 4 Hydroelectric dam
Fig. 4 Hydroelectric dam

At this juncture, I would like to pause for us to reflect on the following: Are there any other forms of energy you know which are not discussed here? Can you list some of them? How can some of these forms of energy be localized to help people who are in developing communities take advantage of them and contribute their quota to making the earth cleaner and better?

I will be very happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

Thank you for the audience. It has always been a pleasure coming your way!

Your brother in the green struggle

RECYCLING

Ever felt like waste can be better disposed of? Better used? Well it can be better used through recycling as waste is a resource. Solid waste can be used to boost your country’s economy as well as benefit the environment. Below are some benefits of recycling to the environments.

How Recycling Benefits the Environment

  • Saves yards of dumpsite Space

Waste is disposed of in the dumpsites which causes a number of environmental problems for future generations. Not all the solid waste that is dumped in dumpsites is biodegradable. Even waste that takes a long time to decompose will cause environmental problems as it can emit greenhouse gases or toxic substances that are really harmful to the environment and the people working around these places. Choosing to recycle materials like paper, aluminum cans, cardboard, scrap metal, plastic, etc., means you are keeping them away from landfills.

  • Conserves Energy

Recycled products saves energy and raw materials as compared to making new products.

  • Recycling protects ecosystems and wildlife

Recycling reduces the need to grow, harvest or extract new raw materials from the Earth. That in turn lessens the harmful disruption and damage being done to the natural world: fewer forests cut down, rivers diverted, wild animals harmed or displaced, and less pollution of water, soil and air

  • Pollution is reduced

When you dump waste in landfills, it will start emitting greenhouse gases when it begins to rot. These greenhouse gases pollute the environment and attract insects, flies and bugs. When you recycle the waste instead of sending it to the landfills, you are directly reducing the pollution. Further, recycling various products leads to less carbon emissions, reducing the carbon footprint of that product.

  • Raises overall environmental consciousness

Even if one homeowner starts recycling and eventually graduates to composting or using alternative energy by installing solar panels, etc., the others may follow his/her lead. This will eventually raise the overall environmental consciousness. You can offer to pick up recyclables on the curbside. It may seem like a small step but eventually it will add up to something substantial and have a positive effect on the environment.

How waste benefits the economy

  • Recycling contributes to the development of a circular economy

Recycling contributes to circular economy where everything is a resource rather than waste.

  • Saves money

Recycling and using recycled products will help you save money. For example you can sell your recyclable waste to recycling companies. This means recycling can definitely put some money in your pockets when you don’t opt to dispose it. Lambeth council in London pointed out in 2017 that “it is 6 times cheaper to dispose of recycled waste than general refuse”. So the more you recycle, and the less you put in the bin, the more money is saved, which should be good for households, businesses and public services.

  • Creates Jobs and Supports the Local Community

Recycling creates several job opportunities in any community. A number of people can find jobs in the recycling sector, and in places where recycled products and recycling-related materials are produced. This sector is ripe with work opportunities for middle-class people and those with limited education. Jobs in recycling are also known as green jobs due to the positive impact they have on the environment.

When materials are recycled locally, it means more jobs for people who are paid to process recycled materials. This boosts your local economy and creates a better future for all. Your recycling efforts also create new businesses like collection, transportation, processing, manufacturing, packaging and selling of recycled products, paving the way for a greener future.

  • Recycling contributes to Tourism

Recycling can boost the tourism industry of countries. A clean environment is welcoming and initiating creative/innovative ways of managing waste would attract environmental enthusiasts around the world. This influx of tourist would also contribute to foreign exchange of a country.

  • Recycling encourages innovation

Recycling encourages people to think outside the box. It presents an avenue for people to express their creativity. The saying that necessity is mother of all innovation in apt here. Seeing the effect of improper disposal of waste, recycling offers an avenue for innovation in dealing with this menace.