EnACT
Document Type
Presentation
Type
EnACT
UN Sustainable Development Goal
UNSDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Start Date
28-4-2021 9:40 AM
End Date
28-4-2021 10:00 AM
Abstract
One big problem affecting us today is the absence of accessible clean and renewable energy. Despite the dwindling fossil fuel reserves,and urgency to transition to renewable energy,world leaders and major corporations have failed to take major actions to move away from nonrenewable energy. According toThe Millennium Alliancefor Humanity and the Biosphere (MAHB), our major source of energy, oil is predicted to run out in 2052 at this rate of use,therefore to maintain the lifestyle and order of America,it is imperative to find an alternative.When the people in power fail to take action, it becomes the common’s duty to make a change.Therefore we have taken it upon ourselves to look for solutions alongside everyone else.Currently less than 2% of US households have installed solar panels on their property. However,if more people were to install solar panels it would be able to create a great deal of renewable energy. Currently there exists a 26% tax credit for solar panels, where if someone is to install solar panels on their home, they can deduct 26% of the cost off of their next income tax.However with this plan, it still costs $4,000 to install even a 2 kilowatt solar panel. And a 5kilowatt one costs upwards of $10,000. Unfortunately,that is still a lot more than everybody can afford. In addition, the government plans to get rid of the solar panel tax credit almost completely by 2024. We proposed that instead the government increase this credit to 40%making solar panels much more affordable, and additionally that this plan be extended indefinitely until the cost of solar panels drops to 60% of what it is now. Finally we think it would be beneficial for the government to organize a large scale ad campaign, teaching homeowners the benefits of solar power, and encouraging them to have it installed on their homes. Overall, it is not just the government and large corporations that the stableness of America relies on, it’s also civilians. Therefore through these programs, we can encourage more people to join the fight against climate change and adopt the use of renewable energy.
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Bringing Solar Power To More Communities
One big problem affecting us today is the absence of accessible clean and renewable energy. Despite the dwindling fossil fuel reserves,and urgency to transition to renewable energy,world leaders and major corporations have failed to take major actions to move away from nonrenewable energy. According toThe Millennium Alliancefor Humanity and the Biosphere (MAHB), our major source of energy, oil is predicted to run out in 2052 at this rate of use,therefore to maintain the lifestyle and order of America,it is imperative to find an alternative.When the people in power fail to take action, it becomes the common’s duty to make a change.Therefore we have taken it upon ourselves to look for solutions alongside everyone else.Currently less than 2% of US households have installed solar panels on their property. However,if more people were to install solar panels it would be able to create a great deal of renewable energy. Currently there exists a 26% tax credit for solar panels, where if someone is to install solar panels on their home, they can deduct 26% of the cost off of their next income tax.However with this plan, it still costs $4,000 to install even a 2 kilowatt solar panel. And a 5kilowatt one costs upwards of $10,000. Unfortunately,that is still a lot more than everybody can afford. In addition, the government plans to get rid of the solar panel tax credit almost completely by 2024. We proposed that instead the government increase this credit to 40%making solar panels much more affordable, and additionally that this plan be extended indefinitely until the cost of solar panels drops to 60% of what it is now. Finally we think it would be beneficial for the government to organize a large scale ad campaign, teaching homeowners the benefits of solar power, and encouraging them to have it installed on their homes. Overall, it is not just the government and large corporations that the stableness of America relies on, it’s also civilians. Therefore through these programs, we can encourage more people to join the fight against climate change and adopt the use of renewable energy.