Wind turbine blades can’t be recycled, so they’re piling up in landfills. (2020, February 6). Retrieved March 8, 2020, from https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-02-06/wind-turbine-blades

This article discusses the problems associated with the recycling of wind turbine blades.  Most blades can last up to 20 years, but majority of them only last about 10 years. This is because new innovations in wind turbine technology are being made at a very fast pace.  As a result of this, most blades are taken down before their lives end because newer, more efficient models replace them. The blades are made of fiberglass and can’t be recycled although they are replaced the most often out of the entire turbine.  However, the rest of the turbine is 85% recyclable.

This is an interesting problem to come out of renewable energy.  It is ironic that something so good for the planet can also be so bad for it at the same time.  Although currently there is no solution as to what to do with the old turbine blades, the wind people are working on it.  However, I think I am not alone in that I would rather have this problem of what to do with these extra blades and be tasked to find a solution.  Opposed to the problem of global warming and all of the things that surround it. Before there is expansion in the field of wind energy around the world, I think we must first find a solution as to what to do with these non-recyclable massive objects before we proceed with a large scale operation of wind turbines.

California will still require rooftop solar panels on new homes – at least for now. (2019, November 14). Retrieved March 8, 2020, from https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2019-11-13/california-will-still-require-rooftop-solar-panels-on-new-homes-at-least-for-now

The article discusses the California home solar mandate which requires all the new homes in California past a certain year to be built with solar panels.  In Sacramento, they declined a program that would enable new houses to be built without solar panels. The argument for the program said that building new houses exclusively with solar would drive the prices of houses up too much.  Instead, they proposed houses could be built without solar panels, but use offsite solar energy as their main source of power.  

Upon reading this article, I was impressed by the California state legislature.  I thought that after having passed the bill, they may begin to waver. I assumed that after having passed it, there would be some complication or third party that would try to corrupt and influence state officials to repeal this decision.  Upon having read this article, my trust in the officials of California has been reinvigorated. I now know that California is truly a state following progressive ideals in the face of adversity and one that is worth following from the other states in the U.S.  Although this article mostly discusses policy, it still has to do with environmental science in that with this program the country takes its first serious steps toward renewable energy.

Chen, G. (2019, October 15). Eco-Friendly Innovations From The Green California Community College Summit. Retrieved March 8, 2020, from https://www.communitycollegereview.com/blog/eco-friendly-innovations-from-the-green-california-community-college-summit

In Pasadena California, some community colleges came together to display their new innovations of “green technology” at the Green California Community College Summit.  Within the summit is a forum discussing issues such as building in a more sustainable way, developing a greener campus, and implementing green opportunities for teaching and apprenticeships.  Also at the summit were displays on the technologies being implemented at each of the community colleges. There was even a $2.5 million hydrogen car being exhibited along with a new kind of 100% recyclable water proof box.  

I was genuinely surprised to read this article, I had no idea how innovative and forward thinking the community colleges of California are.  I am glad they are taking all these steps in order to reduce both their carbon footprint and their impact on the world. I was also surprised the degree to which the community colleges are invested in their green initiatives.  Hydrogen cars are very expensive and are not easy to come by, and for them to have one is astonishing. Also the fact that their pioneering a 100% reusable box technology is astounding to me. If only the rest of the colleges around the country, not just community, could learn a little from these schools of California, our country would be in a much better place in terms of environmentally friendly technology.

New report provides roadmap for California to achieve carbon-free transportation. (2020, February 25). Retrieved March 7, 2020, from https://environmentcalifornia.org/news/cae/new-report-provides-roadmap-california-achieve-carbon-free-transportation

This article discusses a report produced by the Environment California Research & Policy Center Frontier Group.  The report itself discusses the massive impact that transportation has on global warming. Within the report are goals to achieving carbon zero emissions in California.  These goals include replacing existing cars and buses with lighter electric vehicles, and increasing the amount of people who travel by foot or transit. The report also highlights existing actions being taken to improve the transport system to make it more geared toward electric vehicles.  

Upon reading this article I was very impressed with California’s state government.  This also filled me with pride, and made me glad to be living in a state with such progressive climate policies.  The world is in dire straits right now, and what we need is a large body of people, like California, to take the lead and show the rest of the United States and the world how it’s done.  Although California’s policies aren’t radical enough to enact real change around the world, this will still aid in getting the ball rolling at least in the United States. This article doesn’t mention specifically one environmentally friendly technology, but it does mention programs and procedures set in place to encourage their use throughout the state of California.

Scutti, S. (2019, August 20). Beginning today, you won’t be able to buy plastic bottles of water at San Francisco International Airport. Retrieved March 8, 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/sf-airport-water-bottle-ban-trnd/index.html

In an effort to decrease the amount of waste generated, San Francisco airport has banned single use water bottles.  This is part of their initiative to reduce the amount of trash they produce. According to CNN, SFO annually generates about “28 million pounds of waste, including about 10,000 water bottles sold daily”.  By removing single use water bottles, SFO is making a big dent in their waste generation. This ban is indicative of the eco friendly initiatives being taken around the state of California.  

After having read this article I was very impressed by SFO’s new policy.  San Francisco is a large city and has international influence. This recent development will likely ripple around the globe and inspire other countries to decrease their waste amounts.  Although the ban itself isn’t an example of a specific eco-friendly technology it is an example of the prioritization of technology that’s environmentally friendly and further boosts reusability.  If we look at the definition of technology, it says something that humans create to make their lives easier. If we use this definition, then something like a screwdriver or a water bottle is considered technology.  Therefore, a reusable water bottle is technology and is being promoted through SFO’s new regulations.

Agritecture. (2019, October 21). India’s Hydroponic Farmers Are Building Businesses. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.agritecture.com/blog/2019/10/21/indias-hydroponic-farmers-are-growing-fresh-pesticide-free-produce.

There’s a company in India called Herbivore Farms who is growing their food hydroponically and selling a multitude of products.  This includes their food, hydroponic kits, and the idea that people can do this at home. The kits they sell have a varied range in price and size, but they all come with the proper equipment to create your own hydroponic farm at home.  The goal of Herbivore Farms is to spread their zero-emissions way of farming and enable the people of India to have easy access to good, high quality vegetables.  

A feeling of excitement came over me as I read this article.  From APES, we’ve learned about the costs of modern day agriculture and its effect on the environment.  This effectively removes all of those costs and leaves only the benefits behind. This company creating kits for people to make at home is, in my opinion, a really good idea.  India is facing many problems with starvation and allowing people to grow their own food at home will save countless lives. I hope this company expands both their farms and reach in order to help as many people as possible.

Egenter, S., Wettengel, J., Wettengel, K. A. Y. H. J., Appunn, K., & Haas, Y. (2019, June 26). Renewables hit record in Germany in H1 2019, outlook uncertain. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-hit-record-germany-h1-2019-outlook-uncertain.

In Germany, renewable energy accounted for 44 percent of their total energy consumption in the first six months of 2019.  Although this is a huge step in the right direction, the German government aims to increase their reusable energy consumption to 65 percent by 2030.  This is all a part of Germany’s Energiewende plan to shift to low carbon, renewable, and environmentally safe forms of energy. Although Germany has made great progress, energy industry groups are calling for expansion saying they won’t meet their goals with the rate of progress they’re making.

This article was definitely an interesting read to say the least.  I was amazed at first by the sheer volume of renewable energy Germany is consuming.  Upon reading more of the article I was surprised to see people who represent renewable energy call for its expansion in such a way that mirrors fossil fuel lobbyists in the United States.  However, I’m not upset with what they’re doing, at least in this case what they’re lobbying for is beneficial to both the world and the German economy.

Shields, N., & Masters, J. (2019, July 16). Morocco in the fast lane with world’s largest concentrated solar farm. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/06/motorsport/morocco-solar-farm-formula-e-spt-intl/index.html.

The country of Morocco is now in possession of the largest solar farm in the world.  In order to create this farm, a loan of $400 million was needed from the World Bank. The solar farm takes up about 3000 hectares in total, which is the equivalent to 3500 soccer fields.  This solar plant creates enough energy to power over one million homes. The creation of this farm coincides with Morocco’s goal of increasing their use of renewable energy to 42 percent by 2020.

I’m very impressed by the strides Morocco is taking in order to advance their renewable energy sources.  If I’m being honest I’m a little surprised that Morocco of all places would be the one to lead the world in renewable energy farms.  However, no matter how large or small a country, any step on the path to renewable energy is a good one. One that can only benefit the world and the people living on it.  On top of that, Morocco’s is one of the most ambitious steps in the world. If only more countries could follow the example that Morocco is setting, the world would be a better place.

Nikel, D. (2019, June 19). Electric Cars: Why Little Norway Leads The World In EV Usage. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2019/06/18/electric-cars-why-little-norway-leads-the-world-in-ev-usage/#2002aedb13e3.

 In March, almost 60 percent of the new cars sold in Norway were electric.  This increase is made possible by the incentives set in place by the Norwegian Government.  These include tax cuts, the removal of specific transportation tolls, free parking, and the removal of a 25 percent sales tax.  In order to make this switch environmentally sound, Norway receives almost all of its energy from hydropower (a renewable source of energy).  However, this entire operation is being funded by money the Norwegian government makes from their export of oil.

Norway, in my opinion, is moving entirely in the right direction.  Even though they are still exporting vast amounts of oil, the world needs oil and fossil fuels.  Although Norway is still selling fossil fuels they are making sure that its sale is being put to good use.  However, because Norway is such a small country this shift is made much easier. If a larger nation like the United States for example were to make this shift it would be a much more difficult and drawn out process due to the sheer size of the country.  

Guy, J. (2019, August 15). Solar power is now cheaper than the grid in hundreds of Chinese cities. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/15/business/china-solar-electricity-scli-intl/index.html.

China has taken great steps in the advancement of their solar power industry.  This article discusses a few of those steps along with their costs and benefits.  China has now pledged to invest about $367 billion to renewable energy. Also, in about 344 cities solar energy was found to be cheaper than that of the grid.  However, these great accomplishments come at a cost. There have already been problems arising in China due to solar panel waste. A few protests have already broken out led by Chinese citizens in response to this careless mishandeling of hazardous waste.

This article was quite a bitter sweet read.  I was excited to learn about how well China is doing to improve their renewable energy, but saddened to learn of their waste problems.  However, this is definitely a step in the right direction. The hard part is over, China has already begun building up the infrastructure of their renewable energy.  All they must do now is install regulations ensuring safe disposal of hazardous materials. If only more super powers took the same steps as China towards clean energy, global warming would become less and less of a threat day by day.