Download Earth as Our Provider - University of the Ozarks

Nena Evans
Earth Day Essay Contest
26 April 2015
Earth as Our Provider
Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, human activities and the expansion of
consumerism have created a national, and even global, economy that is extremely dependent on
nonrenewable energy sources such as coal and oil. This dependence has increased extraction
rates of these resources, which has in turn decreased their availability. As a result, prices of
nonrenewable commodities have risen and the race to find cheaper, more accessible sources of
energy is greater than ever before. In this journey, the discovery of renewable energy has arisen,
and the global culture has experienced a rising interest in alternative energy sources such as solar
and geothermal power. These forms of energy offer many benefits and fewer downfalls than
nonrenewable sources. These aspects, along with their abundant availability, make alternative
energy a supreme candidate for the development of a sustainable future. Implementing
renewable systems into current practices can decrease environmental degradation and economic
costs, and increase public health. These are options that are viable for any home, business, or
industry, including colleges. College campuses are excellent spaces to make a difference in.
These institutions educate and mold future generations; they have the power to create lasting
changes in the world. To create positive change toward a sustainable future and meet the
demands of a growing campus, the University of the Ozarks should invest in solar and
geothermal energy.
With industrialization and the expansion of the global economy, the natural world has
experienced widespread climate change. This term refers to “any significant change in the
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measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time . . . [including] major changes in
temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades
or longer” (“Climate” 1). One of the largest indicators of climate change has been witnessed in
the form of global warming. Data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
shown “recent and ongoing rise[s] in [the] global average temperature near Earth's surface,
[which has been] caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere” (“Climate” 1). This is due to a process known as the greenhouse effect. In this
process, greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide found in
atmosphere trap energy from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere and act as a blanket, causing the
surface of the planet to warm. This warming cycle is necessary for the existence life on earth, but
an excess of greenhouse gases has negative implications for environmental and human health.
The recent emission of large amounts of these gases through human activities has resulted in
such an excess.
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, changes in the global climate could be linked to natural
events, like solar flares, volcanic eruptions, and natural fluctuations in greenhouse gas emissions.
Recently, however, it has become extremely difficult to link climate changes to natural
phenomena alone. According to data collected for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s Annual Greenhouse Gas Index, radiative forcing (the measure of influence a
particular factor has on the net change in Earth’s energy balance) from human-added GHGs
increased 27.5% from 1990 to 2009, with increases in carbon dioxide being responsible for 80%
of this change (“Causes” 1). Of them all the different GHGs, carbon dioxide (CO2) has the
largest environmental impact. This gas is emitted and absorbed naturally in the earth’s carbon
cycle, but the influx of CO2 into the atmosphere through human activities has altered its natural
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concentration. Since the 18th century, atmospheric CO2 concentrations have risen 40%, with an
increase from roughly 280 parts per million by volume (ppmv) to 390 ppmv (“Causes” 3). The
EPA reported that, as of 2014, “human activities [released] over 30 billion tons of CO2 into the
atmosphere every year,” and that in 2014, the “CO2 level was higher than it has been in the last
800,000 years (“Causes” 3). As mentioned previously, CO2 emissions play a huge role in the
greenhouse effect and global warming. Therefore, the amount of these emissions and methods by
which to curb them is currently a hot topic for debate. Organizations and governments all around
the world are seeking out new strategies to lower CO2 emissions in ways that are economically
viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sustainable. Many have adopted practices that
harness the power of alternative or renewable energy sources such as solar and geothermal.
When compared to nonrenewable resources, alternative energies hold the most promise
for a sustainable future. To be considered "renewable," the energy source must be "generated
from natural processes that are continuously replenished" ("What" 1). Since they are constantly
refilled, these kinds of energy do not run out, which makes them ideal for human processes.
Initially, the establishment of projects such as solar grids and wind turbines incur a higher cost
than those developed for nonrenewable energy sources. However, renewable energy sources are
cheaper to continue running and earn their payback rather quickly. Since the development of
processes that utilize renewable energy sources, payback periods for such systems have fallen
drastically. The initial costs of devices that harness these energies are also decreasing. In his
article “Is Solar Energy Right for You,” Michael Boxwell states that “the cost of a solar panel
today is around one fifth of its price six years ago” (2). As technologies advance, prices continue
to lower. In addition to this, renewable energy systems are infinitely more sustainable than
nonrenewable systems. All in all, renewable energy is on the forefront of sustainability.
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As the University of the Ozarks grows and develops, the pressure to meet energy needs in
a sustainable fashion increases as well. To accomplish these goals, this institution should
investment in alternative energy sources, namely solar and geothermal power. By implementing
these technologies, the University will be able to lessen its negative environmental impact and
enhance campus sustainability while meeting the demands of a growing campus.
As solar energy continues to be developed and enhanced, many states have experienced a
rise in the installation of solar panels in homes and businesses alike. People are recognizing and
acting on the need for sustainability, and the state of Arkansas is no exception. Though it
“remains in the small minority of states without a renewable portfolio standard,” Arkansas
residents and businesses are beginning to invest in renewable energy, especially solar power
(“Renewable Energy” 1). This is in part due to the state's geography and weather patterns.
According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, Arkansas receives an average of more than
5,000 watts of sunshine per square meter of land, making it a perfect candidate for solar power
("Renewable Energy” 2). This form of energy is sustainable, completely renewable, and neutral
in the production of harmful by-products. Solar energy actually reduces air pollution by
“decreasing the use of diesel generators and kerosene lamps” (Myers 3). Also, thanks to the
development of solar batteries, newer systems are able to provide a steady source of renewable
energy all day (Dewey 1). The main issue associated with solar energy is the installation cost.
Installing solar energy systems can be rather expensive. In 2012, the cost of installing a
typical home solar power system was $27,500, at the price of $5.50 per watt (Chiras 2). Based on
these numbers, the cost of installing a system large enough to supply an entire college campus,
even one as small as the University of the Ozarks, would be astronomical. Luckily, there are
incentives in place to aid in lessening this installation cost. Under federal law, businesses that
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chose to install renewable energy sources may qualify for a thirty percent tax credit and an
accelerated depreciation benefit of fifteen to thirty percent of total cost of that system (Chiras 1).
Or, to avoid this cost all together, solar power systems may be leased. Firms such as Solar City
offer long-term leasing options for these systems, some of which do not even require a downpayment (Solar 1). This is a more cost efficient option than actually buying the system and may
be an appropriate to begin implementing solar energy on campus. Solar energy projects have
already been implemented in various city buildings in Fayetteville and Little Rock, and the
University of the Ozarks should be next.
While solar energy is a wise investment, it can only do so much on its own. It is a great
way to decrease energy costs and implement sustainability; however, it can have a much larger
impact when paired with other forms of alternative energy. This is where geothermal energy
steps in.
Geothermal energy is one of the lesser know, but extremely useful sources of alternative
energy. The term "geothermal" refers to the heat that produced in the earth’s core, radiates out,
and is then stored in the crust just below the earth’s surface (Ramasesha 1120). When extracted,
this heat can act as a source of renewable energy, with its most common applications being in the
heating and cooling of homes and other buildings. Geothermal energy is much more sustainable
than conventional systems, as its use emits zero greenhouse gases. In fact, the EPA concluded
that "geothermal energy is the most environmentally friendly heating and cooling system" in
place today ("Geothermal" 1). Because heat from the earth's core is emitted in every part of the
globe, geothermal energy can be used anywhere, but Arkansas in particular is a prime state for its
development. According to Geothermal Genius, Arkansas' subsurface temperatures fluctuate
very little throughout the year, making it a perfect location for the harnessing of geothermal
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energy. Rather than changing with atmospheric temperatures, geothermal heat keeps a constant
temperature of about forty-five to seventy degrees Fahrenheit, which provides a constant source
of energy for heating and cooling systems ("Geothermal" 1).
As with solar power, the initial cost of geothermal systems can be rather daunting. On
their website, Energy Homes reports that the installation cost of a geothermal system is around
"double the amount of a conventional heating, cooling, and hot water system" ("Renewable
Technology" 1). However, state and federal governments offer rebate and loan programs to aid
in this initial cost, much like those provided for solar power systems. Also, geothermal systems
typically have payback period of just two to ten years and can reduce utility bills by forty to sixty
percent in subsequent years ("Renewable Technology" 1). By harnessing the earth's natural heat,
these systems not only decrease the environmental degradation often inflicted by heating and
cooling methods, but decrease costs associated with these processes. Overall, investment in
geothermal energy is a wise decision both environmentally and economically.
Though solar and geothermal energy will not be able to completely replace the current
systems, they can act as a large stepping stone in the move towards a sustainable campus. When
paired together, these systems decrease negative environmental impact, lower costs associated
with electricity and heating/cooling systems, and improve the quality of life of human beings. By
decreasing the amount of greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals released into the atmosphere,
alternative energy sources aid in creating a more sustainable future for both the natural and manmade worlds. As human beings, we have the ability to alter the earth and create a larger impact
than any other organism. That is a vast responsibility that should not be taken lightly. The future
is in our hands; the actions we take today will result in either fortune or disaster for future
generations. Therefore, it is our right and responsibility to care for the natural world in a
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sustainable fashion. The effort to do so must move in a top-down manner as well as a bottom-up
one. Every person, company, and institution must strive to make a positive difference, and the
choice to do so must be one that is done in perpetuity. In the words of Joel Gill, the Associate
Director at Ferncliff Camp in Little Rock, Arkansas, "being green isn't something you do once . .
. it becomes a part of you and you do what you can" (????). Here at the University of the Ozarks,
we must do what we can to create a world that is sustainable, while meeting the future demands
of a growing campus, and the implementation of solar and geothermal energy is a huge step in
the right direction.
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Works Cited
"Climate Change: Basic Information." EPA. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 18
Mar. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Causes of Climate Change." EPA. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 18 Mar.
2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Chiras, Dan. "More Affordable Solar Power." Mother Earth News. Mother Earth News.
Aug./Sept. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Dewey, Charlsie. "Future of Solar Energy Could be Made in Michigan." Grand Rapids Business
Journal 31.49 (2013): 3. Regional Business News. Web. 6 Apr. 2015.
Gill, Joel. Earth Day Chapel. University of the Ozarks. Clarksville, AR. 22 Apr. 2015. Sermon.
"Geothermal in Arkansas." Geothermal Genius. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Myers, Alice. "Renewable Energy." Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science. (2015): Research
Starters. 24 Apr. 2015.
"What is Renewable Energy?" Penn State: College of Agricultural Sciences. Penn State
Extension. 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Ramasesha, Sheela K. "Challenges in the Quest for Clean Energies." Resonance: Journal of
Science Education 18.12 (2013): 1110-26. Education Research Complete. Web. 24 Apr.
2015.
"Renewable Energy for America: Harvesting the Benefits of Homegrown, Renewable Energy."
Natural Resource Defense Council. NRDC. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
"Renewable Technology: Installation." Energy Environmental. Energy Homes. 2008. Web. 25
Apr. 2015.
Solar Lease Options for Home. Solar City. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.