Houston, We Have a Solution

By Rebecca Cantwell

Renewable energy technologies, along with more efficient buildings, vehicles and industry,  together can reduce carbon emissions enough to avoid the catastrophic effects of global warming later this century, a summary of the SOLAR 2006 findings reveals.

Dr. Chuck Kutscher, an NREL scientist and chair of the conference, summarized the findings of nine experts who were asked to analyze the potential impacts of various strategies by 2030.

“These add up to greater than what’s needed’’ by showing a potential for the U.S.  to remove 1300 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere , he told cheering attendees at a closing luncheon. That is more than experts say is needed by mid-century to reverse global warming trends before they lead to disastrous consequences for the earth.

But quick and decisive action is needed, Kutscher told attendees at the largest annual gathering of the American Solar Energy Society in decades.

“We have to factor carbon reductions into every energy decision,’’ he said. “This is an environmental crisis.’’

Solving it will require a rapid deployment of carbon- free energy along with efficiency technologies, research and development to reduce costs and capture breakthroughs --and a more vocal proactive role for activists, Kutscher said.

If the United States can mobilize to dramatically cut carbon emissions in the next 25 years, it will set an example for developing nations such as China, perhaps encouraging leaders of that nation to replace some planned coal plants. “”We have to show we’re walking the walk,’’ he said.

 The summary Kutscher presented showed the following, based on what experts determined was feasible to expect from each technology:

--Concentrating solar power can contribute enough by 2030 to offset 120 million tons of carbon per year in 2030, or 9 percent of the total.

--Photovoltaics can contribute enough to offset 125 million tons per year in 2030, representing 10 percent of the total.

-- Wind power can make the  biggest contribution, representing enough power in 2030 to offset 300 million tons of carbon a year in 2030 or 24 percent of the total.

--Biomass can offset 130 million tons of carbon by 2030 or 10 percent of the total.

--Biofuels potentially will contribute enough to cut carbon emissions by 60 million tons a year in 2030, representing 4 percent of the total.

--Geothermal resource development can  offset 65 million tons of carbon a year by 2030 for 5 percent of the total.

-- Making buildings more efficient could offset 200 million tons a year of carbon emissions by 2030 or 15 percent of the total.

--Transportation improvements such as higher vehicle mileage and plug-in hybrids could offset 150 million tons of carbon emissions by 2030, representing 11 percent of the total “.

Kutscher noted that when the Apollo 13 astronauts radioed, “”Houston, we have a problem,’’ their main issue  was increasing carbon dioxide in the air – like Earth’s problem today. Mission experts offered a range of solutions – as are needed today.

“Houston, we have a solution,’’ Kutscher said to a standing ovation.

The American Solar Energy Society plans to release a detailed report about the findings soon.