The Ecology of Dialogue

Throughout my environmental studies education at the U, I think the single most important concept I have learned is that everything is interconnected. That is the heart of ecology, which is the heartbeat of the relationships between all life on our planet (forgive my lack of a source for that one). Due to these complex connections, one action can have serious effects on something that seems completely unrelated. Therefore, in addressing ecological issues, there is a dire need for balance and consideration of all entities affected by our actions. A watered-down example of this would be initial habitat destruction associated with coal mining, followed by air and water pollution caused by coal-burning, which spreads the impact of that mine much further than the excavation site.

However, these entities not only include the animal populations and habitats damaged by the human hunt for resources, but the people themselves that are driven by the valid need for them. As much as I and others would love to see all land on the planet whole and untouched, that is not an entirely realistic option. We need to protect the planet, but are also by default obligated to sustain our own species. It is up to us to use the gifts of our environment responsibly, and find that balance.

In order to do that, we must communicate. In regard to the specific task at hand, reinventing energy, consumers, utility companies, representatives at different governmental levels and environmental agencies need to work together. Each must provide their own insights to create a balanced solution that accommodates the energy demands of our society while still complying with regulations and the ethical treatment of ecosystems.

Of course, this is easier said than done. That's why the Utah Museum of Natural History has assembled the upcoming panel of speakers with a diverse range of expertise. We will hear from people working for clean energy at the city, county, and state levels, as well as Piper Rhodes of Rio Tinto and Sarah Wright of Utah Clean Energy. By creating dialogue between these people as well as the attendees (you), we can hear different answers to difficult questions, and use this mixture of ideas to create solutions that benefit both people and the environment.

An example of a successful outcome of this cooperation is highlighted in this article from a few years ago. Salt Lake City received federal funding for large-scale solar power implementation project. The “Solar Salt Lake Project” between Salt Lake City and County, as well as Kennecott land, which owns a large portion of Salt Lake Valley’s developable land. In addition, Utah Clean Energy manages the project by sorting out the technical details, and Rocky Mountain Power also provides funding. If all goes well, 10,000 solar systems will be installed in the Salt Lake Valley by 2015.

This is just one project of the many that are required to produce significant progress toward halting and reversing the environmental damage of fossil energy. Through further dialogue, teamwork, innovation, and combinations of expertise, we will continue to make changes and create the balance of a more ecological way of living and working. It’s not just up to the pros, either. The point of the community panel is to create connections between these experts and you, the people who need energy. If you need clarification or are frustrated with the pace of new energy development (I know I am), come and voice those concerns. If you are just awed by the power of the sun, that’s cool too! We need to hear from everyone, because we are all affected in one way or another.

Things Sprawl Apart

Jonathan Hoekstra’s lecture on Wednesday was both highly informative and empowering. He presented quite a bit of data that proved energy sprawl to be a formidable challenge, accompanied by a number of reasonable actions that we can take right now to prevent it.

As stated in a previous post, I noticed a lack of individual accountability in the first two lectures of the series. Jeff Muhs and Fred Krupp described some great progress in the effort to reinvent energy, but they didn’t spend too much time on encouraging people to conserve energy in the first place. In contrast, Hoekstra stressed energy conservation as the main strategy in preventing energy sprawl and other issues. In what he dubbed the “one percent challenge,” Hoekstra discussed simple actions that we can take, such as thermostat adjustments, turning out lights, and walking instead of driving. Cutting energy consumption by just 1% could save 500,000 acres of land.

However, as much as I like to champion sustainable lifestyle changes, actions need to be taken on all levels, from personal behavior to federal legislation. Hoekstra spent a lot of time discussing the need for a coherent national energy policy. One issue with renewable energy systems, especially wind power, is that they are often established in places where demand is highest, and not necessarily the most efficient locations. This lack of central organization results in a “willy nilly” distribution of power sites, and contributes to energy sprawl.

The race to reinvent energy is an ongoing process with many hurdles along the way, but we are making progress. To go further, it's going to take effort on the part of everyone. When asked whether the public or private sector has more responsibility to fix our nation's energy problems, Hoekstra said that they have different roles to play. We need cohesive policies from the government, while local businesses and citizens seize the entrepreneurial opportunities provided by the need for change. For this local perspective on things, I am looking forward to the final event of the series, which will be a panel discussion of local energy leaders. I think they will provide insight into what we can do in our own city, and help bridge the gap between large-scale ideas and personal action.

Climate Goals: Local Perspective Needed!

• As we gear up for the keynote lecture of The Nature of Things series, there is no better time to consider active legislation efforts regarding climate change. Next Wednesday, Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, will speak to us about the EDF’s ambitious efforts toward a bright future.
  
  Until then, this article provides a list of goals that the EDF has formulated in preparation for this year's round of climate and energy legislation. At a national level, they are prolonging efforts to enact further regulations that would limit emissions, as well as defending the Environmental Protection Agency's power to regulate our air quality.
  
  Unfortunately, these are formidable challenges indeed. As we know, the fight to stop climate change, clean up our air, and implement effective alternative energy technologies on a large scale is rife with obstacles. And these issues aren't just vague entities that float around in the ether of federal legislative debate; actions must be taken on every scale, from the federal domain to the state level, right on down to the individual. This brings us to another of the EDF's goals, which involves finding messages that truly spark concern and participation among the public.
  
  So, as a respirating resident of our blue earth and red state (referring to geology, of course):
• What do you think are the most effective messages to present to both fellow citizens and policy makers?
• At what level do you think new regulations will be most effective? Surely, the big polluters will avoid cutting emissions unless faced with some serious action at the federal level, but state, local, and personal actions are also important.
• How will Utah be affected?
  
  Don't worry, you're not being graded; just join the conversation!