Solar Panels, Extra Credit Blog

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/science/earth/15solar.html?_r=1&ref=solarenergy

Picture:  This picture shows solar panels on the top of a roof in California. This project is called the Million Solar Roof Program, and it is one of many in California.  

Summary: People in California are starting to wonder about solar panels, and how they can they help with the energy cost. But there is a worry among the people who want the solar panels, the initial cost. Solar panels can cost anywhere from $48,000 for an average home, to tens of thousands of dollars for a larger home or building. This is the main worry for people hesitating to get solar panels installed. But now cities are starting to do something to help with the money issue. The solar panels are now going to be able to be financed like gas lines, and covered by a loan and secured by property taxes. This is helping families to be able to put up solar panels on their homes, and in the long run saving money. The idea for this way of helping families pay for the solar panels was started two years ago in Berkeley. Cisco DeVries, the man who started the program in Berkeley, said “I’ve never been part of something like this where the power of an idea has grabbed so many people so quickly. It is viral.” Not only California has helped families pay for the solar panels, states like Texas, Arizona and Virginia has also passed laws to help them. But out of all the states that have these laws, Palm Desert in California is the farthest along.

Opinion: I think that what these states are doing is an amazing thing. Alternative energy is going to be a huge part of our future, but there is one thing stopping it from taking off. And that is the issue of money. But with these laws that help families pay for the solar panels, the alternative energy future could become more and more of a reality. I have always thought that solar panels were a really cool thing, and I have always wanted them on my house, but PA does not help families pay for the panels. I wish that in the future all states help families or companies pay for solar panels. If that does happen, our reliability on fossil fuels will go down, and so will our air pollution in our country. My biggest wish for our country is that we get off of relying on fossil fuels, and rely more on alternative energy.

Questions

1.      Why do you think PA does not help families or companies pay for solar panels?

2.      What is your opinion on fossil fuels and alternative energy?

3.      Would you want to have solar panels on your house or company? Why or Why not?                

Air Pollution - California Smog

California smog threatens world’s oldest living things, the giant redwoods

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/california-smog-threatens-worlds-oldest-living-things-the-giant-redwoods/2012/05/28/gJQAg6mpwU_story.html

By: Associated Press

May 28, 2012

Picture: This picture shows the damage the smog in Sequoia is already causing to a pine tree. 

Summary: The California forest, home to the biggest and oldest Sequoia Redwoods, currently has the worst air pollution our of any national park in the United States. Emily Schrepf of the nonprofit advocacy group the National Park Conservation Association describes the forest, saying, “Ozone levels here are comparable to urban settings such as LA.” The forest has signs warning visitors when it is unsafe to hike, and the government employment site warns the job applicants that the workplace is unhealthy. Also, each year, the workers in the park are briefed on the pollution, and the lung and heart damage it can cause. Annie Esperanza, a park scientist, says, “If this is happening in a national park that isn’t even close to an urban area, what do you think is happening in your backyard?” Many of the closely monitored national parks do not compare to the severity of air pollution Sequoia and its neighbor, Kings Canyon, has. When the sun’s rays hit pollutants, such as oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds that can be found in fertilizers, pesticides, etc, smog is created. Even though it’s only early into the summer ozone season, the level of ozone in Sequoia park has exceeded federal health standards already. Last year in the June to September summer, the park had violations 87 times. Esperanza says, “It’s tragic that the National Park Service is known for clean air, and then you see a sign saying it’s unhealthy to breathe; It’s so contrary to the national parks idea.”

Opinion: After reading this article, I realized how much damage humans are causing on our environment. The trees in the park are thousands of years old, and many people come to see them. It’s a shame to see the park reach unhealthy air pollution levels, and I don’t even want to know the damage the air pollution could be causing on these trees that have been around for an extremely long time. When I hear the word park, I think of a clean, pollution free area. To hear that it’s unhealthy to breathe air in the California forest, and that is can potentially cause serious health issues is tragic. The smog described in the article reminds me of the deadly smog we read about in science class. These are both smogs, and I wonder if the smog and air pollution in the forest in California is caused by the same reasons the deadly smog were caused (thermal inversions, or burning things). I hope something is done to help stop and reduce air pollution. I always knew air pollution was harming our environment, but to actually read about it in this article made me realize how bad air pollution is. 

Questions:

1) What does the smog/air pollution do that causes this damage on the trees in the forest?

2) In what ways can air pollution be reduced or completely removed, if any? If there are any, why aren't people trying to use these methods to stop air pollution and improve air quality?

3) Has the California forest always been the most polluted national park in the US? If not, then what park used to be more polluted, and how did the California forest become so polluted?