>I don't know too much about solar energy, but has anyone thought of or >worked on introducing the southern hemisphere populations to solar >energy rather than simply offering more of the status quo (i.e., wood as >fuel)? I guess the poor weather much of the year may have something to >do with it, but I know I've gotten fog burns so there must be enough >photons coming through to burn my skin...just a thought...perhaps I'll >look into it more, or if anyone knows more about this... > >Stephanie Dear Stephanie: I fully support most efforts to increase use of solar energy. The World Bank has pledged $400 million to finance solar power and other renewable energy projects in developing countries. Tree plantations are one source of solar energy (low tech source)and PV cells are a high tech source. Soon rates for a watt of solar energy may decline to $1/watt. http://www.usis.usemb.se/sft/142/sf14208.htm However, I do not believe we should put all our eggs in one basket. Lets not put off tree planting in the belief that solar cell technology will end the harvest of native forests for fuelwood. I bet may farmers who use solar cells to power their lights and TV still cook with wood. ============= As a comparison, the annual production of renewable energy from biofuels in the US is about 2.9 quadrillion BTU (1995). Compare this with about 0.074 quadrillion BTUs for solar energy in the US for 1995. Lets agree that sooner or later, we must address population growth. Even if we reduced per capita emissions by 30% the total amount will continue to increase as population growth doubles. The following are some examples of energy use in three African countries. CONGO Total Energy Consumption (1993): 0.02 quadrillion Btu Energy Consumption per Capita (1993): 8.3 million Btu (vs. 325.6 million Btu in U.S.) Energy-related Carbon Emissions (1993): 0.2 million metric tons (negligible % of world carbon emissions) Carbon Emissions per Capita (1993): 0.08 metric tons (vs. 5.7 metric tons in U.S.) Major Environmental Issues: Urban growth, deforestation, wildlife destruction ANGOLA Total Energy Consumption (1995): 0.09 quadrillion Btu Energy Consumption per Dollar of GDP (1995): 14.3 thousand Btu Energy Consumption per Capita (1995): 8.9 million Btu (vs. 331.8 million Btu in U.S.) Energy-related Carbon Emissions (1995): 1.42 million metric tons (0.02% of world carbon emissions) Carbon Emissions per Thousand Dollars of GDP (1995): 0.22 metric tons Carbon Emissions per Capita (1995): 0.14 metric tons (vs. 5.42 metric tons in U.S.) Major Environmental Issues: Deforestation, unsafe drinking water, land degradation EGYPT Total Energy Consumption (1995): 1.5 quadrillion Btu Energy Consumption per Capita (1995): 24.2 million Btu (vs. 331.8 million Btu in U.S.) Energy-related Carbon Emissions (1995): 26.97 million metric tons. Carbon Emissions per Capita (1995): 0.44 tons per person (vs. 5.42 metric tons in U.S.) Major Environmental Issues: Population growth, air pollution, water pollution SOUTH AFRICA Total Energy Consumption (1994E): 5.5 quadrillion Btu Energy Consumption Per Capita (1994E): 125 million Btu Energy-Related Carbon Emissions (1994E): 131.6 million metric tons (2% of the world total) Carbon Emissions Per Capita (1994): 3.0 metric tons (vs. 5.3 metric tons in the United States) Major Environmental Issues: Lack of arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage threatens to outpace supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo95/trends.html David South School of Forestry Auburn University, AL 36849-5418 dsouth@forestry.auburn.edu 334-844-1022 334-844-1084 (FAX) As always, views expressed here are my own (and I am not speaking on the behalf of others). I use only 100% post-consumer paper in my home printer. (discarded used office paper printed on one side) http://www.forestry.auburn.edu/coops/sfnmc/sfnmc.html ========================================================================= The world population is expected to double by the year 2100. Therefore the annual demand for wood for energy (etc.) will increase and might double (to more than 7 billion m3/yr). To provide plantation wood for people in the future, support the planting of trees on pastureland. Set a goal of converting 8 million ha of pastureland/yr for the next 55 years. This would increase tree plantations to about 5% of the world's landbase. ========================================================================= Support Zero Population Growth for the United States http://www.igc.apc.org/zpg/index.html
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