There is
a sudden awareness among the common masses regarding the ill effects of abusing
our natural resources with the rise in global temperatures all around the world
and the effects of Global warming being felt. High levels of pollution caused by
fossil fuels can no longer be ignored. There is a huge demand for clean and
renewable sources of energy. Also, people have become more aware about the
various alternatives of energy.
Even with such high levels of awareness and the easy availability of technology, the consumption of clean energy such as solar power has not increased to significant levels. Human dependence on fossil fuels is still very high, and it is predicted that it will take few more decades before humans can wean off fossil fuels. But why is the adoption of solar power so difficult? The reason is related to the cost associated with solar power.
People slowly started using Solar Power as an alternative to fossil fuels as a method to adopt clean and renewable source of energy to replace fossil fuels and in turn reduce pollution. However, the unintended consequence of adopting solar power is that it costs almost 6 times higher than power produced from fossil fuels. People slowly realized that due to high cost of power, their overall home expenses were rising, in-turn further increasing the public stress and outcry.
Even with such high levels of awareness and the easy availability of technology, the consumption of clean energy such as solar power has not increased to significant levels. Human dependence on fossil fuels is still very high, and it is predicted that it will take few more decades before humans can wean off fossil fuels. But why is the adoption of solar power so difficult? The reason is related to the cost associated with solar power.
People slowly started using Solar Power as an alternative to fossil fuels as a method to adopt clean and renewable source of energy to replace fossil fuels and in turn reduce pollution. However, the unintended consequence of adopting solar power is that it costs almost 6 times higher than power produced from fossil fuels. People slowly realized that due to high cost of power, their overall home expenses were rising, in-turn further increasing the public stress and outcry.
I love studying alternative forms of energy. This is definitely in my favorite area of study!
ReplyDeleteI was a little confused by your variable "public outcry" in the CLD. In the balancing feedback loop, it is about pollution correct? And in the second, it is about the high cost of solar power/electricity. So, in the first loop, I think it would be the same polarity from public outcry to demand for clean energy. However, wouldn't it be an opposite polarity, or just be a different public outcry. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, wouldn't higher cost of living create lower desire for clean energy?
Maybe there's another variable in there?
Very interesting subject Dhruvi. Some things I noticed here are:
ReplyDeleteI am not sur that the higher cost can be considered as unintended consequences, because it was known from the beginning, and it did not come as a "surprise" effect.
I agree with Rebecca that the polarity should be "O" because the more Public outcry the less Demand for clean energy there is going to be.
Finally, I think it would be helpful to name the loops, to help in understanding the basic concept of each loop, and make referring to them easier.