Beneath the surface of the earth is an energy source, geothermal, that could provide 39 countries with all of their electricity needs. Geothermal power is generated through the piping of underground water and steam reservoirs to the surface in order to power turbines that produce electricity. This type of energy is attractive because it is a free heat source, and it is bountiful, and reliable. According to the Project Drawdown's calculations, geothermal growth from now until 2050 will result in the reduction of CO2 emissions by 16.6 gigatons (1 gigaton is equal to 1 billion tons).
Several cities and countries have discovered that geothermal energy has the potential to provide significant energy capacity in a completely sustainable way. Two stories in this collection (see below) feature Iceland, where geothermal energy heats pools that define their communities, and geothermal power plants turn CO2 into a solid to stop it from entering into the atmosphere. Kenya has also experienced success in harnessing geothermal energy, and it was able to supply almost half of the country's energy needs in 2015. Another story addresses new technology from a Swedish company that can harness geothermal energy more efficiently and could make it economically viable for the world. This solution is one of the Drawdown Ecochallenge actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/magazine/icelands-water-cure.html?_r=2
Dan Kois
The New York Times Magazine
19 April 2016
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Despite being an island of seamen, Iceland used to experience high numbers of drownings every year, fostering a keen interest in swimming education. The government stepped up and tapped into the underground hot water generated by Iceland’s volcanic activity to create geothermal pools, which quickly became more than a humble municipal investment, but perhaps the very secret to the country’s happiness. Every town now enjoys communal pools, which create a neutral, recreational space that brings all manner of people together.
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/earthrise/2017/05/turning-co2-stone-iceland-170523140808874.html
Russell Beard
Al Jazeera
25 May 2017
Broadcast TV News / 5-15 Minutes
Iceland, hit by the oil crises of the 1970s, turned to geothermal energy - and they haven't turned back. The island is now powered by 100% renewable energy, and they are taking it one step more, looking to further cut emissions using a unique carbon capture system called CarbFix. It is being pioneered at the Hellsheidi geothermal power plant in western Iceland.
https://qz.com/1566234/climeon-could-make-geothermal-as-widely-accessible-as-wind-and-solar
Akshat Rathi
Quartz
6 March 2019
Text / Under 800 Words
Geothermal power is typically hard to scale due to its dependence on hot water. Climeon is a Swedish energy company changing the game. It uses low-temperature heat and sells its energy in modular units, which makes it affordable. Due to an infusion in capital, the company is scaling its energy distribution across the globe.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/business/geothermal-energy-grows-in-kenya.html
Amy Yee
The New York Times
23 February 2018
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Kenya harnesses geothermal energy to power the nation. By developing naturally occurring geothermal areas at the East African Rift, they were able to supply almost half of the country's energy needs in 2015.
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