For quick thinking Neo-Greens, coming up with a credible definition for the word sustainable is an ever-increasing problem. And the problem only gets funkier when the word renewable pops up. In the field of ecology, these words often connote something different than they do to such odd creatures as County Commissioners, city planners, and woo-woo environmentalists. As the infamous saying goes: Can’t we all just get along? Probably not.
How about hydro-electric dams – providers of renewable energy? Sustainable? Perhaps, in a sense. But would any sane member of our species, Homo erectus asphaltus, actually recommend constructing an industrial dam in these oh-so-green times? Of course they would.
“Up to $30.6 million in economic stimulus funds will be used to finance seven hydroelectric projects nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Energy,” says the Environmental News Network.
“‘We’re going to bring America back to making things in this country,’ Secretary of Energy Kristina Johnson told workers assembled for the announcement on Nov. 4, 2009.”
Make things? Impoundments are certainly things – big things. But are we making these things for the right reason? A cursory look at the impacts of dams on aquatic ecosystems should make even a knuckle-headed developer shudder. From habitat fragmentation, to siltation, to reduction in flow, to interruption of spawning of native species, dams come off as anything but benign behemoths. If this is the renewable road we’re being asked to take to Grandma’s house, maybe we’re being sold a turd in a gold box.
And don’t forget to take a peek at the new wave of renewable pleasures touted by the geeks at Renewable Energy World! The future is here, and it’s anything but a biocentric’s dream.
pass the sledgehammer.
posted by Mudd
0 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.