Is a Transition to Solar Energy Dire?

[mwesley]

Over the years, it has become apparent that we'll soon have no choice but to transition to solar power. I've began to write a blog about the importance of integrating solar energy into our homes and lives, and am hoping to gain further insight into the various ways the average individual can begin to actively pursue the use of solar energy, even if only in a small way. My site is so far geared toward the use of solar lights, as this is the most readily available/affordable means for the average joe to tap into solar power. I'd love to hear feedback, ideas, as well as facts and information that may be of use to me in my endeavor to create an informational site geared to augment the general public's knowledge about the positive impact solar energy can and will have on our planet. My site is in the works, and I'd love to hear thoughts, ideas and facts that will spawn new, more informative posts.

[Sunking]

Over the years, it has become apparent that we'll soon have no choice but to transition to solar power.

No way it is not even physically possible nor is it necessary. The real solution we already have about 5 billion years of cheap clean safe fuel, uranium. In the mean time in the USA we have 250 years of proven coal reserves and another 75 of proven natural gas reserves.

[mwesley]

Hmmm ... I suppose necessity is subjective? When I mention that it's a necessity, I mean to say that from the perspective of the planet, it is a necessity. Solar energy is "clean," and by that I mean that it will not negatively impact the environment as, for instance, coal combustion does. It is a necessity to eliminate the combustion of fossil fuels as much as possible, however unrealistic or impossible it may be today ... tomorrow is another story.

[russ]

Hi Buddy,

You are starting off with suppositions that not everyone agrees with and those that do go off in a thousand directions.

The sites that support solar as you are working on are generally a mishmash of facts gleaned from the Wiki and other sites that the author has no idea what they mean.

If you want to put yourself forward as an 'expert' then you have to become one and really understand the topic.

You are charging up a long hard hill when blogging about energy - there are many very sharp people out that do so - ones that know the topic.

Russ

[mwesley]

Hi Russ,

Thanks for the advice here. I'm not sure what you mean by "suppositions" relative to what I wrote, nor am I sure how your response aligns with my posts. It seems that you're implying that I don't know about this topic, but I'm not sure how you can make that supposition considering I provided you with no reference indicative of my knowledge. Like I mentioned in my initial post, my interest is to flog the idea of solar power and its benefits ... whether everyone agrees with my "suppositions" or not is of no consequence ... the fact is that solar energy is the most abundant source of clean energy, and that's all I care to advocate ... some will agree, some will disagree, but that is a challenge we all face, isn't it? There is always more than one "expert" camp on any subject, omniscience and ignorance usually play a part on all sides, and all sides could stand to learn something from the others. As you may have been able to tell, my primary interest is the environment, not energy expertise. Those who are energy experts are not necessarily experts on the environmental impact of energy creation. So, really, I'm not here to tout myself as an energy expert (though I'm no dummy), but again, merely to read, learn, gain ideas and viewpoints ... I'm not sure how that got lost in translation, but I apologize if my intentions here were unclear.

[russ]

There are dozens of sites out there already doing what you propose. Some of them even have a few facts correct.

The suppositions I was referring to were about your reply on Sunkings post.

Russ

[mwesley]

Yes, there certainly are. The more, the better. As an energy expert, if you're able, perhaps outlining the facts you feel I'm missing would be of better benefit than simply brushing me off as someone who you feel is misguided and ill-informed. I'm having a difficult time understanding what you're trying to convey in your replies. It seems like you have opinions and facts to share, but I'm at a loss as to what they are. Are you able to share any insight?

My suppositions regarding Sunking's post: Well, really, it's unreasonable to think that altering the atmosphere's composition by adding by-products of coal combustion is NOT going to impact our environment in some way. Similarly, it's unreasonable to think that smoking cigarettes isn't going to alter our bodies' state of health.

[russ]

The more the better? People have an overload of information now! The bad part about what you read on the net is that generally it is personal opinion and not reviewed by anyone for facts or accuracy.

We will not be getting into in a discussion about the positives/negatives of fossil fuels here. Save that for the Green Options sites or similar. They love to run around in circles with everyone blowing smoke.

BTW - Just had my 66th birthday, have smoked all my life and am most likely in better condition than 90% plus of the people out there. I still run several times a week and visit the gym for a 90 minute workout four days a week.

Not saying that smoking is a good idea but I am not interested in the anti smoking balderdash either.

I personally am more concerned about other types of pollution.

Russ

[Sunking]

OK it is unreasonable to think using solar power for electric and heat does not have significant impact on the environment. It takes huge amounts of space, energy, mining, and transportation to make those products. Let's not even talk about ruining economies trying to achieve the impossible. Fossil fuel is not the only means to generate massive amounts of electricity. We already have all the technology we need to generate abundant clean , safe inexpensive energy, to replace coal, natural gas, and light weight vehicle fuel. As of now there is no replacement for petroleum for medium and heavy transportation nor anything being worked on to replace it. Well non being worked on that can work.

[mwesley]

I smoke, too, and am very healthy ... so far. You must have good genes, but I'm sure you understand the point I was aiming to make -- I'm sure you also realize that being a 66-year-old healthy smoker doesn't negate the fact that smoking is not good for the body. Opinions on the environmental/pollution matter are as individual as your state of health as a life-long smoker, but it's the facts and how they relate to the big, long-term picture that's most important.

All pollution is a concern. Aside from conservation of one's money from a utility bill perspective, or living independently "off-the-grid," what other major reason is there to power up with solar?

[mwesley]

Ah! Sunking! Absolutely. What I wonder, though, is about chronic, long-term effects on the environment. Which clean energy option is the long-term best (environmentally speaking)? Is it less detrimental over the long-term to acquire and prep uranium for energy production? What happens with the toxins produced by the uranium? Are they collected and stored somewhere "safe"? As the planet's population increases rapidly, will there always be ample safe storage space for toxic by-products? Would it be reasonable to phase in solar power (as the leading source of energy) over the course of many years, or is it more reasonable to forget about it altogether (because those in our life-time won't reap the benefits)? Would the implementation of solar power (over a long period of time, obviously) simply start a new, infinitely perpetual cycle of environmental havoc, or would damaging effects (the ones you mentioned) wane over time once solar power is dominant enough to actually power the production of solar products? I don't really know what the "right" answer is ... that's why I'm here. I'm looking for feedback and thoughts.

[russ]

As I said before - this is not the place for this discussion.

These topics get messy with very few accurate answers and lots of feelings from people.

I am closing the thread -

Russ