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Energy and the Environment
- Encourage individuals to make the small decisions that will benefit the environment.
- Implement intelligent and effective real-world engineering solutions.
- Commit to becoming energy independent.
- Replace political maneuvering in congress with a realistic energy agenda.
Energy and the environment must be discussed together. If the environment were unaffected by our methods of finding and using energy, we would have been energy independent a long time ago, relying on domestic stores of coal, gas, and oil. Likewise, if the cost of foreign fuel dependence and subsidized research weren't so high, we might be able to devote all of our efforts towards developing completely clean energy. Unfortunately, we have got to tackle both problems at once.
As an engineer, I have been working on saving energy all of my life. An engineer's job is to make things more efficient. What is the solution to our energy crisis? First we have to understand facts. Everything we do uses energy, and usually a nice lifestyle requires more energy. There are only three things that will reduce our energy consumption: 1) fewer people, 2) lower everyone's standard of living, or 3) do things more efficiently by allowing engineers and other technical experts to design and build systems that get more out of existing energy supplies.
I will be uniquely situated as an engineer to look at the proposed solutions. Not only will I vote for logical solutions but I will do my best to convince others in congress to adopt energy efficient solutions as well
Some of the changes that need to be done to conserve energy and reduce global warming are:
- Efficiency: Use technology to make everything more energy efficient. This is the only way we can maintain a higher standard of living for more people with less energy.
- Watch the small things: Small things done by lots of people can have tremendous results. One of the early sayings that I heard when I got involved in business was that a company needed someone to turn off the lights and turn down the heat. It sounds silly, but if you don't do these little things, you can't save on the big things. What are the little things? Make smart choices. I already mentioned two, turn off the lights, and turn down the heat. Drive a more fuel efficient car, walk or bike rather than drive for short trips. Take public transportation. These changes are small and, while they won't make a serious impact on an individual's life, they will make a serious impact on the environment if everyone makes an effort.
- New technology: Two key improvements that need to be made are better controls and better batteries. We need better controls for traffic, for HVAC systems, air traffic and almost any process that uses energy. One reason hybrid cars are not as efficient as they could be is that we still need a batteries that can provide power to run a car for an extended period of time.
- Alternative fuels: While alternative fuels cannot solve the problem, they can help. Wind, solar, nuclear, bio-fuels, and water. I can envision every house with a roof made of solar panels with a windmill on top. Even though environmentalists destroyed America's nuclear power program in the 80's and 90's, they have come to their senses and realize that it is possible to develop clean safe nuclear power plants.
- Build effective efficient public transportation: Cars use an inordinate amount of energy. Public transportation is for the most part very inconvenient. Strikes must be banned. Trains and buses must run on time. They must be clean and staff must be courteous.
- Cut out the emotional rhetoric: We do have a problem. There are solutions. Calling our current administration liars and cheats does not solve the problem. Exaggerating the problems with false and misleading examples do not help. Tell the truth. Don't blame those that are trying to solve the problem. Lawyers and rhetoric will not solve the problem; engineers and research scientists will.
- Develop CO2 abatement for coal fired plants: There are many technologies being worked on that will allow coal fired plants to operate more efficiently while reducing the amount CO2 released into the atmosphere.
There is much that can be done, and having a congressman who understands the ramifications of the various technological solutions can help us move in the right direction. With my engineering background, I will be able to bring something unique to the table in congress and enact positive change by voting for sensible solutions and by informing others in congress.
While it is important that we incorporate all of the elements I have discussed into our long-term energy solution, we have got to begin taking immediate action to alleviate the cost of energy and keep our country safe. Environmentally friendly, American-made energy is the key to lowering gas prices and achieving energy independence. Quick fixes like the gas tax holiday are nothing more than political posturing and will do more harm than good. Proposed windfall profits taxes on the oil companies are counterproductive and will simply drive up the cost of oil further. In using corn ethanol for fuel, we are causing food shortages and driving up costs. Instead, we should be focusing on opening American oil reserves, implementing clean coal, developing nuclear power, and proliferating renewable energy resources. It is imperative that we promptly allow offshore drilling to begin in order to free ourselves from foreign oil.
Further Reading:
Energy Policy: Let's Not Repeat the Mistakes of the '70s
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