There are some interesting parallels/similarities in regard to the discussion of trash and biomass.
There is no doubt mankind produces trash, as there is no doubt that we need energy. What we keep forgetting, though, is an honest reflection on how we can be less “waste-ful”, both in terms of energy and trash.
Thus, instead of reducing the amount of trash we create by implementing policies that encourage the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) we encourage MORE consumption … which leads to MORE trash … which leads to overflowing landfills, strained resources, and polluted environments.
Similarly, instead of implementing policies that encourage energy conservation and energy efficiency, and instead of utilizing clean and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal, we invest in dirty biomass plants (some of which even burn trash) … so that we may have MORE energy (even if it is currently not yet needed) to continue our consumptive lifestyles … which then again produces MORE trash, more pollution, and so on.
Oh Benjamin Franklin … if only you could see us now: Your “Want Not, Waste Not” has for too long become a “Want lots, Waste lots.”
-Michael G. Noll
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