“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
– Native American Proverb
Messages from the Edge December 2024
To review, as your EcoDharma Doula, for the next two months, I will offer you a monthly contemplation on what is commonly called ‘Getting to Zero.’ Science tells us we have 25 years to reduce our emissions to Zero. We are looking at a carbon reduction diet, which begins by looking at the big picture. We wish to turn the right side to Zero by 2050 or:
(Lighting + Heating + Cooling + cooking + driving + refrigeration + embodied energy + heating water + utilities + gardening + vampire energy) – (Clean Energy we Produce or Offset) = (Everything we Use)
In the following months, I will be delving into production. Getting to No Carbon while relying on utility electricity is not enough when you consider that 70% of the generation comes from burning carbon, which causes carbon pollution in the atmosphere. Reducing your demand while moving from gas power to electrical allows you to switch your energy generation choices from dirty, non-renewable sources.
This month, we will examine energy alternatives from the easiest to the most difficult, from the least expensive to the most costly, and from the short to the long term. Mother Nature is calling!
Ground: The Transition to Green Energy
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
– Nelson Mandela
As we face the escalating effects of climate change, transitioning our energy sources to Green, Renewable Energy is no longer optional; it’s essential. Addressing energy demand within the dwelling through insulation, efficient appliances, and mindfulness lays the groundwork, but this alone is insufficient. Our energy sources must also transform. Moving away from carbon combustion and toward renewable energy isn’t just a technical adjustment; it’s a profound alignment with principles of sustainability and stewardship.
The environmental toll of carbon combustion is immense—burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gases. It drives greenhouse gas emissions and depletes finite resources. Transitioning to clean energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower offers a chance to break this cycle. These renewable options harness nature’s abundant power, producing energy without the devastating side effects of pollution and climate disruption. By shifting to renewables, we create a path to energy security and resilience while honoring our responsibility to future generations.
When one household transitions to green energy, it may seem like a drop in the ocean. But when many homes make this shift, it builds a tide of collective change. Each action sends a signal to energy providers and policymakers: the demand for renewables is here, and it’s growing. Beyond reducing emissions, this transformation inspires others, showing what’s possible and demonstrating that real solutions are within reach. Transitioning to clean energy reflects our ability to act meaningfully and bring the ideals of a net-zero future into tangible, everyday reality.
Path: A Journey to Green Energy
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
– William James
When my family first began the transition to renewable energy, we were overwhelmed by the options. We didn’t know where to start and hesitated to take the plunge. But we soon realized that the journey didn’t have to happen simultaneously. It could unfold step by step, starting with simple, affordable changes and building toward deeper investments with more significant impacts. This approach made the process manageable—and transformative. For those ready to begin, here are pathways to green energy arranged in order of increasing costs and benefit:
- Say No to Carbon Combustion
The most straightforward step is to commit to moving away from fossil fuels. This choice could mean replacing outdated gas appliances, cutting back on driving when alternatives exist or choosing products and services that align with renewable principles. While this may not cost anything, it represents a powerful mindset shift that sets the stage for further action. - Requesting Clean Energy from Your Utility
Many utilities offer renewable energy plans, allowing you to power your home with wind, solar, or hydroelectric energy. Switching to one of these plans is often as simple as a phone call or online request. While there may be a slight premium, the cost is minimal compared to the sustainable environmental benefit of sourcing your energy. - Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)
For communities with access to CCAs, this is an excellent way to pool resources and purchase renewable energy collectively. CCAs enable entire neighborhoods or municipalities to transition to clean energy while keeping costs competitive. They also provide a voice in energy decisions, empowering communities to prioritize sustainability. - Buying Green Energy from the Open Marketplace
In deregulated energy markets, households can choose their energy supplier. Many offer 100% renewable energy plans at rates comparable to traditional options. This step allows for flexibility in sourcing while directly supporting the growth of renewable energy industries. - Buying Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
Purchasing RECs allows you to support clean energy projects for those unable to access renewable energy directly. RECs offset your carbon footprint by funding renewable generation elsewhere, bridging the gap when green energy isn’t immediately available in your area. - Community Solar Programs (Solar Gardens)
Solar gardens offer a way for renters or those without suitable roofs for solar panels to participate in the renewable energy movement. These shared solar installations provide clean energy to multiple households, making solar accessible. - Rooftop Solar
Installing solar panels on your roof is one of the most impactful investments in renewable energy. While the upfront cost can be significant, tax credits, financing options, and long-term savings make it an increasingly viable choice for homeowners seeking energy independence. - Ground-Mounted Solar
Ground-mounted solar systems offer even greater capacity and flexibility for those with more significant properties. This option is ideal for rural areas or businesses looking to maximize renewable energy generation.
The Nuts and Bolts of the Path
The journey to green energy is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each household can start where it makes the most sense, from low-cost options like requesting clean energy from utilities to more significant investments like rooftop solar. By tailoring your approach to your circumstances, you can move steadily toward a dwelling powered by sustainable energy sources. These collective actions create a roadmap for transitioning to net-zero energy, demonstrating how practical, incremental steps can lead to profound change.
Fruition: The Collective Impact of Net-Zero Energy
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
– Helen Keller
When households embrace net-zero energy, they achieve more than energy independence—they become part of a more significant movement transforming our lives. A net-zero home produces as much renewable energy as it consumes, providing immediate environmental relief and reducing dependence on finite resources. However, the total fruition of this effort emerges when net-zero practices scale to the community level, amplifying the benefits and creating a collective shift toward sustainability.
Community transitioning to renewable energy experiences more than environmental gains; they foster collaboration, resilience, and economic opportunity. Energy cooperatives, community solar programs, and shared renewable initiatives deepen social connections while creating green jobs and supporting local economies. These collective efforts drive systemic change, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and accelerating the adoption of innovative clean energy solutions.
At scale, net-zero energy represents a paradigm shift—reimagining our relationship with energy and the planet. It shows that sustainable living is not only possible but practical and empowering. By leading, households and communities inspire others to follow, creating a ripple effect that grows into a tide of transformation. Together, these efforts lay the foundation for a thriving planet where renewable energy fuels a future of harmony, balance, and hope for future generations.
Time to Touch the Earth, 21st century style.
And remember:
“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” ~ Teddy Roosevelt