The Challenge
Earth’s population is expanding at an incredible pace, and so is the need for electricity to support our modern lifestyles. Traditionally, most of this energy comes from carbon-intensive sources like fossil fuels, contributing significantly to global emissions. As of 2024, the United States has the second highest emissions of any country in the world1, and historically has been a major contributor to climate change. With the urgency of climate change, finding lower-carbon solutions to power the needs of the US is more critical than ever.
My Approach
Throughout this project, I’ll explore a range of types of renewable energy, and investigate how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can help identify the best locations for a future solar panel field, geothermal power plant, etc. By using GIS tools, I can map out where resources like wind or solar are most abundant, or where infrastructure for geothermal energy might be viable.
Looking Ahead
The core question driving this project is: how can we balance the energy needs of developed and developing nations with the need to drastically reduce carbon emissions? In the upcoming posts, I’ll dive into the energy requirements of urban areas, explore the various low-carbon technologies that could power them, and share insights as I work through the challenges.
References
1. https://www.worldometers.info/co2-emissions/co2-emissions-per-capita/