Journal: 4 Samsø Case Study/Transition Strategies

WE CAN MAKE TOMORROW A BRIGHTER DAY

ENVISION & ENACT

Some of us self proclaimed environmentalists are often made fun of for being too nonsensical when it comes to envisioning a future of energy independence and a sustainable world. We are cooky because we see a world in which people don't need to fill their cars with gasoline, where people are able to sustain their lifestyles without sacrificing their health, as well as the health of their environment. 

In this epoch of mass consumption of fossil fuels, believing that there will be a time in the future when our habits change seems all too unrealistic.

Samsø, Denmark

Mini-Samsø Documentary

Lets take a closer look at this island municipality. . .

This quaint, pastoral island nestled off of Denmark's peninsula is revered as the "The World's First 100% Renewable Energy Powered Island."  Resident engagement and the desire for clean energy made it possible for the 4,000 inhabitants of Samsø to meet their goal giving up fossil fuels completely.

Beginning with specific individuals putting forth the idea of clean energy alternatives at public city council meetings, people began to see the potential of investing in these types of solutions. They felt inspired to break free from the shackles of fossil fuel dependence. 

Many people were skeptical and hesitant to want to invest their time and effort towards working together on these project. As it had never be done before, there was cynicism and doubt in several residents. However, the community's perseverance and collective effort has now experienced great rewards and paybacks, it has even made the island famous. 

Aside from the obvious reward of renewable energy and a longstanding positive economic return, the projects that the people of Samsø undertook together created a greater sense of community. Some of the projects catered to wind energy, with the implementation of windmills. Fiscal responsibility of such turbines were delegated between willing individuals and allocated tax funds. This resulted in both shared and individual turbines. After the success of the first turbines on land, they decided to catch more energy off shore, an unprecedented feat! 

Other projects were the utilization of rapeseed oil, which was made from a local plant that people grow on the island. This gave people the opportunity to use alternative vegetable oil to fire their engines. In a video of the community, the farmer that was discussing the alternative actually stuck his finger in the oil and licked it, proving to the viewer just how nontoxic the energy source is. Many other residents drive electric cars, which their own turbines power.

Samsø’s agriculture and its abandonment of fossil fuels has made it more than carbon neutral, it is now carbon negative; meaning that its energy and agriculture actually remove surplus carbon from the atmosphere.

 This island now holds workshops for other city leaders and inspired individuals to learn how to embrace renewable energy sources. 

How can U.S. cities switch to renewable energy?

Here in the States, we often don’t feel the need to look to other countries for inspiration. This attitude can foster arrogance and will be more harmful than anything else when it comes to combatting our fossil fuel dependence. By looking at communities like Samsø, we can find a template for practical solutions that we can implement in our societites. 

Here are a few ideas as to how cities in the U.S. can move away from pollutive energy sources….

One of the most important factors that aids in people’s desire to invest in a brighter future is seeing it as that, something positive and necessary. There are many people in the U.S. who rely of fossil fuel consumption not only to go about their daily routines, but their careers are dependent on the industry. By helping people see not only the criticality of reducing CO2 emissions, and the economic benefit and job opportunities of renewable energy sources, people will feel more inclined to reconsider being apart of the push for change. 

Spreading information as to why renewable energies are essential for our health and climate are necessary to create a foundation on which projects can be planned. This could be done through government mandates in school, or by public awareness notices.

The success of communities that make the switch to sustainable energy sources are those that collectively declare its importance. Once everyone wants to make the change, the matter of switching becomes less of a debate and more of a practical question; how are we going to accomplish this?

We need policy to enforce that a city or state derives a certain portion of its energy from a renewable source. For example, here in Salt Lake City, we could mandate a requirement stating that specifies a tax fund that would pay for wind turbines, which will serve as a longstanding "money saver" for residents. 

Setting goals for each city to achieve within a set time period gives the challenge of renewable more importance. There are many other issues that each State and municipality has to dissolve everyday, so sustainability more often than not takes the back burner. Placing it on the top of the list is necessary for people's health, and should be considered a pressing issue, despite the fact that the impact is often invisible to many.

Other strategies that can be taken to alleviate our fossil fuel consumption would be to offer citizens some sort of incentive to begin purchasing electric vehicles, this would look like a tax reduction (similar to, yet the inverse of a carbon tax).

These are just a couple small ideas that could have a huge positive impact on the planet if taken into consideration and backed by strong willed communities. . . Sustainability isn't impossible.