The world is changing, so are the energies!
In Japan and the United States, citizens are investing in renewable resources. They are ensuring their resilience to future disasters while empowering themselves at the same time.
Independent and resilient power grids
Communities are developing a renewable energy network. Since the disasters of March 2011, the Japanese, especially those in the disaster areas, are turning to solar power. Solar power guarantees them a safe and resilient supply of electricity, and the government has even put in place policies to encourage this, including facilitating access to land.
This phenomenon can also be observed in California, in the Native American community of Blue Lake Rancheria which, in 2015, created its microgrid of 1,500 solar panels! This independent source of electricity therefore makes them more resistant to the climatic events they are experiencing. Beforehand, fires, floods, or storms were followed by outages that could last for weeks. In Baltimore, Maryland, Power52 is creating other centers of energy resilience. Since 2015, the association has been installing solar panels and storage batteries in underprivileged neighborhoods, guaranteeing 72 hours of electricity. Power52 also supplies the center with water and food, making it a place to welcome families experiencing problematic power outages.
Solar energy to save lives
Wind and solar installations are more climate-resistant sources of electricity than those produced from fossil fuels. Their development, therefore, appears to be vital, especially for the Japanese. Thus, Fukushima Prefecture plans to produce only renewable energy by 2040. Thanks to these facilities, the inhabitants are taking advantage of this land that has become infertile, while refocusing on their local community.
In California, the microgrid saved lives when forest fires ravaged the Humboldt account in 2019 and cut off the power supply. This source of electricity supplied power to buildings where care was provided to the injured. In this regard, the county’s Health and Social Services Department recognized the indispensable role played by the Native American group. In Baltimore, the renewable energy installed by Power52 is helping to combat systemic racism. According to Sarita Turner, vice-president of U.S. programs at the Institute for Sustainable Communities, these projects strengthen the resilience of black people in the short and long term. Because they are better equipped to deal with climate events, they bring social and economic benefits to black people, and Power52 has trained 209 solar engineers.
Moving away from dependence on fossil fuels
Renewable energies are becoming more and more popular due to climate change. The Japanese disasters of 2011 have revealed the need to find an alternative to nuclear power; this solution must be able to withstand future weather changes. Especially since the vulnerability of infrastructure primarily affects discriminated communities.
Sources: HuffPost; Geo
Photos Credits:@markmerner/Unsplash; Goerge Desipris/Pexels
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