War – Part I discussed the conflict between sustainability and politics. I mentioned the Persian region, where there are literally thousands of oil and gas wells and the possibility, now I would say inevitability, of methane gas leaks. And, of course, in the 90 days since Part I, our Administration in DC is trying to lift environmental restrictions on methane emissions. What else?!

Part II discussed rising global temperatures as the cause of extreme weather and the current options that are available to replace fossil energy with renewables. Finally, Part II concluded that solutions to controlling climate change were available but would cost money.  And, of course, this is the rub: If you don’t believe there’s an issue with climate change in the first place, it’s pretty difficult to allocate funds for development of solutions for climate change.

As I start on this, War – Part III, I want to offer one overriding thought: the inter-connectiveness of all aspects of our global culture. If you abuse, the results can be catastrophic.  Abuse, in this case, means pollute, over-consume, or violate natural order, and so on. I am convinced that every aspect of our lives, personal or professional, is interconnected with nature. Maybe this is a bit of Thoreau or Emerson, but I am more and more convinced of natural purpose. If you “take” and don’t “give,” you affect the natural purpose.

Okay, I went a little crazy on you! Sorry.

As mentioned in War – Part II, America can do just about anything it wants to do – if committed. The war effort in the early 1940s proves that. We put all our resources to work and the effort produced a war machine that was impossible to defeat. Victory was only a matter of time.  

In my view, climate change is much the same. If we make it a priority, if politicians and the entire political environment can come to agreement that climate change is “public enemy number one,” we will develop technology that will reverse what has occurred since the industrial revolution. That’s 150 years of abuse that we will have to deal with, and I am convinced that common ground will lead us to success.

So, what are some of the initiatives we need to consider?

First, we need to appropriate funds. The International Energy Agency estimates it spends about $22 billion a year on clean energy. The US puts in a third, and, just so you’re aware, Trump wants to reduce that contribution. My vision is totally different. Let’s budget nothing less than $50 billion on clean energy development.

Let’s assume that we are successful with that funding and with additional clean energy funding here in the US. Let’s also assume that solar and wind will get their fair share of financial support. Those are quickly becoming mature industries, but they need continuous financial help.

But what about other emerging technologies that will help to reduce climate change:

• Carbon Sequestration – I know, huge required infrastructure
• Nuclear – I know, radioactive waste
• Fusion Power – still lots to do
• Geoengineering – very scary

But we already agreed we have the funding, so the above should definitely be on our bucket list.  The one neat thing about unlimited funding, aka the success story of WWII, it means we will not fail!
Here are some other promising technologies:

• Ground source heat pumps that use temperatures that are a few feet below the ground that stay constant throughout the year. In the summer they pump warm air out of the house and in the winter pump underground warmth into the house. Right now the cost of installation is high, so they are a perfect target to research for lower costs.
• Tidal power and geothermal are still not cost-effective, so another good target for research dollars.
• Batteries represent another enormous opportunity for clean energy. We’re just on the threshold of understanding how to store this clean energy. There are many different ideas being evaluated that include water storage, heating salt and compressed air.  Right now there are only “two feasible storage options for cars and trucks: hydrogen fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries.”  But another fuel cell idea is “solar-powered electrolysis of ordinary water…at half the cost.”
• There is still much to be done in the recovery and reuse of methane generated by farms. Not only is this recoverable and reusable, but it would reduce greenhouse gas substantially.
• Carbon capture is another very legitimate possibility. If we can store just a fraction of our carbon emissions, the contribution to reducing greenhouse gas would be significant. “Carbon dioxide can also be removed from the air, combined with hydrogen and turned into fuel.” The fuel emits carbon when it is burned, but the entire cycle is carbon-neutral. Why not?
• Biofuels have been around for years (corn into ethanol) but aren’t exceptionally friendly. The area that represents the biggest opportunity is algae, and scientists are convinced that with the proper financial support this raw material can represent substantial clean energy.
• And then there’s “green hydrogen” generated from wind and solar energy. There are a number of publicly owned utilities that are making substantial progress and adding this energy with the use of natural gas. In other words, a coal fired plant would convert to a combination of the two. This kind of development would go much quicker with more financial support from the government.

As you have read, there are plenty of new and developing technologies that are available to help us reach our goals to slow down climate change.  The real answer is the need for a commitment by everyone, regardless of political persuasion.

If we continue on the road of use and abuse, we will destroy this wonderful planet. It isn’t necessary. We can make change happen.

I am reminded of a holistic piece sent to me by a friend, and offered by Professor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai:  “Peaceful change starts within us and grows incrementally from where we are.  Our social and physical location will influence the problems we see and the solutions we can imagine. We must think globally and act locally.”
Amen.

Another Letter from the Earth


Calvin Frost is chairman of Channeled Resources Group, headquartered in Chicago, the parent company of Maratech International and GMC Coating. His email address is
[email protected].