When Renewable Is Not Sustainable

Ethanol and solar power deplete land and water resources.

By Robert Glennon

Renewable energy is sold to the public as an environmentally benign alternative to energy produced by fossil fuels. With respect to ethanol and solar power, however, the debate has ignored how land and water use is affected by refining ethanol, growing corn and siting solar [RETURN TO ARTICLE]

  • Reader Comments

     Page 1 of 1 pages

    It always seems like with every solution comes bigger problems. It’s hard to know what to say - but I have faith that we’ll figure something out that is best for everybody and everything sooner or later.

    United States Posted by Chelle on Sep 11, 2009 at 7:37 PM

    In this debate, it is sometimes forgotten that metals are the ultimate recyclable resource (though they are also non-renewable). In energy systems, when replacing a non-renewable fossil energy source with renewables through the use of metals, the lifecycle assessment according to the ‘big 6’ categories is usually very favourable, especially for global warming. But assuming a 100% renewable energy system sometime in the future, land and material use will then become the major environment impacts of energy use. The remaining alternatives then are saving energy through improving energy efficiency, or not using energy through conservations. http://www.Start-an-Internet-business.net

    India Posted by Marky Mark on Sep 11, 2009 at 10:37 PM

    solar pv - Solar Pv, Solar pv panels- Sundog Energy. Cleaner Energy Solutions for a greener world.

    Pakistan Posted by Halaku Kote on Oct 1, 2010 at 12:24 AM

    Hello,

    I would like to start collecting water from my gutters to water the lawn over the summer and I’m not quite sure how to go about this. All the websites I’ve visited are not satisfied and I didn’t know if there are any clever cisterns on the market to rainwater harvesting.

    India Posted by cvbcvb on Oct 20, 2010 at 5:53 AM

    What are the best sources for anyone to learn more about renewable energy? What source of renewable energy do you think is ideal? What articles / books / podcasts / etc would you recommend this? What do you think of the American project to create a more sustainable world?

    Thanks and Regards,
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    India Posted by dgfh on Oct 28, 2010 at 10:56 PM

    Large solar projects are necessary for the US PV industry and job growth.  But what about smaller scale ‘on-grid’ commercial or residential projects?  The utility oligopolies and monopolies that raise rates year over year by an average 7% are resisting the adoption of solar.  Moreover, the building codes, community aesthetic regulations governing approval of small scale projects are often sited as the biggest roadblock to small scale pv projects. Yet, having solar panels on one’s roof paves the way for business owners and residents to put an end to ever-increasing cost of electricity.

      Solar Lease - option championed by Sungevity.com and other companies for residential solar use, with $0 down - has met a steady demand from cash strapped home owners.  The program is rolling out to new states beyond CA in 2011 and is poised to grow rapidly.

    Does US government supports the small scale on-grid projects? Yes - federal tax rebate of 30% is applicable to solar projects.  But the building codes, the community overwrite, the red-tape governing small scale adoption of solar is yet to be streamlined.

    United States Posted by Gib Gnab on Jan 12, 2011 at 6:20 PM
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