„There is an impression that we have a choice between fossil fuels and clean energy technologies such as solar cells and wind turbines,“ Zehner remarks. „That choice is an illusion.“ He identifies how alternative energy technologies rely on fossil fuels throughout their lifecycles. „Alternative energy technologies rely on fossil fuels for mining operations, fabrication plants, installation, ongoing maintenance and decommissioning. Also, due to the irregular output of wind and solar, these technologies require fossil fuel plants to be running alongside them at all times. Most significantly, alternative energy financing relies on the kind of growth that fossil fuels drive …“
„Sonne und Wind schicken keine Rechnung“ – schön wär’s, aber leider:
The problem with this simple solution: Things aren’t as simple as they seem, and „there’s actually no such thing as a free lunch“ when it comes to energy consumption and production. Further, what we’re often sold as „green“ and „clean“ is actually neither. In the spirit of these inconvenient truths came a timely and provocative book, perhaps missed by many, titled, „Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism,“ by Ozzie Zehner …
We don’t have an energy crisis. We have a consumption crisis. And this book, which takes aim at cherished assumptions regarding energy, offers refreshingly straight talk about what’s wrong with the way we think and talk about the problem. Though we generally believe we can solve environmental problems with more energy more solar cells, wind turbines, and bio fuels alternative technologies come with their own side effects and limitations. How, for instance, do solar cells cause harm? Why can’t engineers solve wind power’s biggest obstacle? Why won’t contraception solve the problem of overpopulation lying at the heart of our concerns about energy, and what will? This practical, environmentally informed, and lucid book persuasively argues for a change of perspective. If consumption is the problem, as Ozzie Zehner suggests, then we need to shift our focus from suspect alternative energies to improving social and political fundamentals: walkable communities, improved consumption, enlightened governance, and, most notably, women’s rights. The dozens of first steps he offers are surprisingly straightforward. For instance, he introduces a simple sticker that promises a greater impact than all of the nation’s solar cells. He uncovers why carbon taxes won’t solve our energy challenges (and presents two taxes that could). Finally, he explores how future environmentalists will focus on similarly fresh alternatives that are affordable, clean, and can actually improve our well-being … (Amazon)