new book

[Guest guest]

LESTER BROWN OFFERS

GLIMPSE OF NEW 'ECO-ECONOMY'

_________

 

" For the first time since the oil age began, the world has the technology

to wean itself from petroleum coming from the politically volatile Middle

East, " says environmentalist Lester R. Brown in his new book " Eco-Economy:

Building an Economy for the Earth. "

 

" A combination of wind turbines, solar cells, hydrogen generators, and

fuel cell engines offers not only energy independence, but an alternative

to climate-disrupting fossil fuels, " said Brown, president of the newly

established Earth Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based environmental

research organization.

 

In " Eco-Economy, " Brown says the global economy is out of synch with the

earth's ecosystem, as evidenced by collapsing fisheries, shrinking forests,

expanding deserts, eroding soils, and falling water tables. This can also

be seen in the earth's changing climate, as rising temperatures lead to

more destructive storms, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels.

 

In the new economy, which Brown calls an eco-economy, renewable energy

will replace climate-disrupting fossil fuels and recycling of goods will

replace disposal. Wind turbines will replace coal mines and recycling

industries will replace mining industries.

 

" Wind power has an enormous potential, " said Brown. " According to a U.S.

Department of Energy wind resources inventory, three of the most wind-rich

states--North Dakota, Kansas, and Texas--have enough harnessable wind

energy to satisfy national electricity needs. China can double its current

electricity generation from wind alone. Europe's offshore wind potential

is sufficient to meet the continent's electricity needs. "

 

As wind energy costs continue to fall and concern about climate change

escalates, more and more countries are turning to wind. In December, 2000,

France announced plans to develop 5,000 MW of wind power by 2010. Argentina

followed with a plan to develop 3,000 MW of wind power by 2010 in

Patagonia, with its world-class wind resources. In April, the United

Kingdom accepted offshore bids to develop 1,500 MW of wind power. And in

May, China reported that it will develop some 2,500 MW of wind power by 2005.

 

The European Wind Energy Association, which in 1996 had set a target of

40,000 MW for Europe by 2010, recently raised its goal to 60,000 MW. The

United States is projected to increase its wind-generating capacity in 2001

by at least 50%.

 

Cheap electricity from wind farms can be used to electrolyze water and

produce hydrogen, which can be used to power gas turbines that supply

electricity when the wind ebbs. Hydrogen is also the fuel of choice for

the new fuel cell engines that every major automobile manufacturer is now

working on. The farmers and ranchers who own most of the U.S. wind rights

could one day supply not only most of the country's electricity, but also

much of the fuel used in its automobiles.

 

In describing the transition to the eco-economy, Brown identifies both

sunset and sunrise industries. Among the sunset industries are coal mining,

oil pumping, clearcut logging, and the manufacture of internal combustion

engines and throwaway products. Among the sunrise industries are wind

turbine manufacturing, hydrogen generation, fuel cell manufacturing, solar

cell manufacturing, light rail construction, reforestation, and fish

farming. Rapidly growing professions include ecological economists, wind

meteorologists, recycling engineers, geothermal geologists, and

environmental architects.

 

In an eco-economy most energy is produced locally from wind, solar cells,

hydropower, biomass, and geothermal sources, thus offering a new grassroots

development potential for developing countries, one that does not require

spending scarce foreign exchange on imported oil. With a comprehensive

recycling economy, the need for imported raw materials will also diminish,

reducing vulnerability to external political and economic instability.

 

AWEA is offering the book " Eco-Economy: Building an Economy for the Earth "

to members at a discount rate of $12 per paperback. The non-member rate is

$16 per book. To order your copy or to obtain membership information,

contact AWEA's Chris Nester, phone (202) 383-2500, e-mail windmail .

 

_________