Riding the Solar Revolution (Cultural Event # 4)

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" -Gandhi

Gandhi, clever, inspirational man that he was, is probably one of the most frequently quoted heroes of our earth. College entrance exams and scholarships base four page essays upon his wise words. Just this morning, at work, I glanced down at a customer's forearm to read the quote you see above.

This was a strange coincidence, a lingering reminder of a promise that I've made to myself some time ago. This promise, this declaration of change that must be universal, was the theme of environmentalist Denis Hayes' lecture last night at Laxson Auditorium.

Denis Hayes spoke last night as a segment of Earth Month, an annual event which occurs on campus to promote awareness of environmental issues. Hayes has been involved in many environmental projects, beginning in 1970 with the launching of the first Earth Day. He was in charge of the federal Solar Research Institute during the Carter administration and at present Hays is president and CEO of an environmental philanthropy group, the Bullitt Foundation.

By now, the average citizen of the United States knows about global warming. Whether or not they choose to accept that global warming is due to human activity, and if they accept the weighty responsibility to change their actions is unknown. Haye's lecture began with what he called "doom", that is, the undeniable evidence of climate change.

According to Hayes the Earth has two immediate threats - the melting of half of the ice in Greenland and half in Antarctica. If melting on this scale occurs, which it soon will based upon current melting rates, we will see a twenty foot rise in sea level. Perhaps at first glace twenty feet doesn't seem to be all that drastic. However, if this occurs, major coastal areas will be demolished, such as areas in Asia and our United States. The people living in these areas will be, as Hayes described, "Environmental Refugees".

This information is frightening. What is even more frightening is the fact that it is now too late to prevent climate change. Our only option is mitigation. One way to put this into action is through the research, and most importantly, implementation of alternative energy sources. Alternative energy sources include: Hydroelectricity, biomass, wind, geothermal, wave/tidal, and solar. Of these alternative energy sources solar is the most efficient.

Hayes shared with the audience the exciting developments in the area of solar power, and companies who have embraced this energy. Pictures of various buildings showed solar panels as shingles on a roof, as transparent 'windows', and even as window blinds.

There are many obstacles in the path to the alternative energy revolution. There are so many reasons to sink into easy premonitions of "doom." And yet? This man whose work is centered around the gravity of this crisis, he is optimistic. This optimism will not be in vain if we, as citizens of the earth, follow Gandhi's urging to "Be the change you wish to see in the world."