A Net Zero America by 2050?
I’ve been reading a lot. Not just reading, but also listening to podcasts. All on the topic of sustainability in all facets of our world. From fashion technology to agriculture to the demands on energy as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It’s all part of learning the issues and how different organizations and countries are handling the issues and taking real action.
Today, I want to tell you about a fascinating podcast that I heard. The first time I could digest what it will take the US to arrive at net zero carbon emissions.
The podcast is from Ezra Klein, opinion writer for The New York Times. Mr. Klein’s weekly interviews are wide ranging, but always interesting and with experts who can deconstruction wonky topics for lay-people. On September 20, Mr. Klein posted a podcast titled “The Single Best Guide to Decarbonization I’ve Heard”. Despite the 110 minutes, I was mesmerized by the discussion between Mr. Klein and his guest, Jesse Jenkins, assistant professor at Princeton University.
From Princeton University’s Net Zero America Project.
Prof. Jenkins deconstructed the decarbonization issue to a level that makes perfect sense to me. He was integral in the modeling that went into the recently enacted bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, that for the first time presents America with solutions that can lead to a net zero emissions by 2050.
The idea is relatively simple but getting there is not. Essentially, we must make almost anything we have run off electricity that is clean, and for whatever is left over, we learn to repurpose or sequester the carbon emissions. And clean electricity means removing all fossil fuels from the ecosystem. Sounds easy, right?
Of course, it’s not so easy as long-standing infrastructure, politics, economics, and culture prevent progress. Still, Prof. Jenkins provides an analysis that with the appropriate level of government support and incentives, he and his team offer up several pathways to net zero by 2050.
He goes on to say that the challenge is converting an economy that is over 66% based on hydrocarbons (coal, natural gas, oil) over to clean electricity in the timeframe required. We also have to remember that hydrocarbons are used to manufacture necessary plastics and pharmaceuticals where electricity is not a substitute. The goal is to set out a plan that over time converts what we can to clean electricity, and then decarbonize the rest.
Clean electricity comes with issues, too. Large swaths of land are required, with the ample amount of wind and sun, to support wind and solar farms. These farms need to be near power transmission facilities to move the power along. Building that infrastructure is already creating issues among nearby residents who worry about property values or impacts on the environment, namely animal and bird migrations.
The higher demand for clean electricity will also require an updated power grid. Today’s power grid was built over 100 years ago and not able to sustain greater transmissions. That means there will be business opportunities and jobs.
When I talk about sustainability in media tech, I often get the question, “what does that mean”? My answer is quite simple. It means running your business with an eye towards reducing your carbon footprint. It means understanding where your energy consumption is, what your sources of energy are, and then get yourself on a path to measure and update your carbon footprint position.
Prof. Jenkins’ work tells us that we actually do have a fighting chance to achieve a net zero America, but it will take everyone to participate in their own ways to achieve it.
I highly recommend that podcast which you can find here. And there’s also a transcript of the interview for those who prefer reading over listening.
