Energy Sustainability: Renewable Solutions for Future Generations

Introduction: The Energy Sustainability Challenge

Energy sustainability is about finding a balance between a growing economy, the need for environmental protection, and social responsibilities to provide an improved quality of life for current and future generations. It is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. More than 85% of the world's current energy demands are met through fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Additionally, the demand for energy is projected to increase primarily in developing countries that are beginning to drive more cars and use more electricity.

A reliable, renewable source of sustainable energy is needed to address three critical challenges: 1) the risks of climate change; 2) increasing base load energy demand; and 3) the need for an energy source to produce transport fuels once the world reaches peak oil production. From lighting homes to powering tools, machines, and transportation, energy is the source of all of today's technological advancements. As such, we must strive to provide future generations with a reliable source of power—not for ourselves, but for the world we live in.

The Environmental and Health Costs of Fossil Fuels

Coal generates up to 44% of the United States' electricity and is the single biggest source of air pollution according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, an organization focused on providing solutions for a healthy, sustainable future. Real-time air quality monitoring websites show the severity of pollution in cities around the world such as Beijing and Hong Kong, which rank among the most unhealthy or hazardous cities globally. In contrast, most American cities enjoy relatively healthy air quality rankings. In China, respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung cancer rates are alarmingly high.

Air pollution from fossil fuel byproducts is harmful to the climate and may be linked to global warming. It is also hazardous to human health, particularly for children whose respiratory systems are not as resilient or fully developed. The connection between fossil fuel combustion and environmental degradation makes the shift to cleaner energy sources a matter of both ecological and public health urgency.

Rising Global Energy Demand and the Need for Innovation

Not only do our current energy needs threaten environmental safety and strain energy supply, but the demand for energy is forecasted to increase dramatically in the future. Developing countries such as India and Africa, when modernized, will significantly increase the energy demands of the global population. Such strain on resources will require immediate innovation and restructuring, as our current energy output will not be able to keep up with rising demand.

We have already developed many innovative technologies to meet these demands. Nuclear energy is one of the most reliable and efficient forms of clean sustainable energy. Thorium reactors are capable of processing 2,000 tons of fuel, yielding only 23 tons of waste while providing a large quantity of electricity. In contrast, the equivalent amount of electricity from coal would yield over 300,000 tons of ash, along with greenhouse gases and pollution to the water cycle.

Wind and hydro power are other sources of efficient, sustainable energy. They can be set up in locations where they would be most beneficial, such as windy plains or coastal regions. Solar power is also a very promising alternative for sustainable energy. The power of the sun reaches the entire world and can be used to power anything from a cell phone charger to entire cities. Solar energy collected within just a fraction of the Sahara Desert would provide enough energy to power the entire world. An increasing number of commercial building owners and managers realize that efficient energy retrofits have the potential to produce substantial savings on operating costs while reducing a building's environmental footprint. These innovations can also be applied to remote locations such as cabins and islands, and to transportation systems, improving energy efficiency in getting from one place to another.