ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RACINGAt Santa Pod Raceway, April 25th 2008
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Why Alternative Energy?
The earth has been storing carbon for millions of years as fossil fuels. Things like oil, coal and gas have trapped carbon under the ground, and as a result, we live in an oxygen-rich, carbon-poor atmosphere in the modern age. But humans are doing a great job of putting that carbon back into the air we breath with our demand for energy, and whether the greenhouse effect is proven or not, we are not going to find this sustainable for ever. It could be an oil supply shortage or an environmental disaster that puts an end to it, but whatever the cause we need to start preparing for a “Plan B” today.
Problems with green energy…
It’s not as simple as it first seems though. There is a wealth of pit-falls out there if your carbon action plan isn’t thought through…
The only type of energy sources allowed at Alternative Energy Racing are ones that could be produced without upsetting the “carbon cycle”. We say “could” because if hydrogen is used as a fuel for example, it is not carbon neutral if it has been made using electricity from a coal-fired power station. It IS carbon neutral if it has been produced using electricity from a hydro-electric or solar source for example.
In addition, if your biodiesel has been produced in a field in Brazil, has a huge tract of rainforest been chopped down to make way for fuel production? If so, the “carbon sink” of the rainforest may be more important than your biofuel, so read between the lines and think “cause and effect” at all levels.
We hope that this event has got you thinking.
Further Reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_fuels