CELL Sustainability Field Trip

On October 5th, we visited Iceland’s National Energy Authority and the Ministry of the Environment to learn more about the country’s environmental issues and their unique, proactive solutions. The pictures inserted into the text are from our field trip to Landmannalaugar this past weekend. Landmannalaugar is a unique area of surreal rhyolite mountains with their soft pastel colors; hot thermal springs; distant glaciers; and magnificient colar contrasts of the green mosses with the shades of oranges, yellows, reds, and browns of the rhyolite peaks. Below are several student summaries of our field trip.

Ashley is a CELL student from Northland College in Wisconsin: Every day that I am in Iceland I realize that I am living my dream: A dream where people have empathy about the world around them. Maybe it is the lens I am seeing the world through right now, but living here at Solheimar (a unique eco-village) and viewing kindness and dedication in a community that is fully functional and happy and then seeing the national government and large national corporations actually caring about the environment – this has given me cause for celebration and hope. The question I have is: How do we get our government and our corporations to care enough to learn from Iceland’s example?

Dave is a CELL student from Unity College in Maine: Partway through the second presentation, my brain wheels began to turn. I thought it was very interesting that the man making this presentation noted that “in a cost-benefit analysis, land is often counted as zero,” a very relevant point which we’ve been exploring recently in class. I’ve never really thought of environmentalism and sustainability issues from an economic standpoint until this program. It’s a great thing to be opened up to. Instead of ignoring something I once didn’t understand, I’ve been led into this world of economics, and shown how economics and sustainability must go hand-in-hand for either to succeed.

Emily is a CELL student from Paul Smiths College in New York: One fact that impressed me the most during the presentation was the usage of natural resources comparing Iceland and the rest of the world. Over 90% of all homes and buildings in Iceland, for example, are heated by clean, renewable geothermal energy and over 70% of Iceland’s electricity is produced from clean, carbon-free renewable energy. Iceland is truly leading the world in its commitment to renewable energy. Sometimes I wonder why places in Wyoming (near Yellowstone, for example) are not utilizing geothermal energy since they too have hot springs and similar potential as Iceland. Geothermal energy could be an important piece of our nation’s energy pie, and Iceland has proven that it is viable. Perhaps we can learn from Iceland’s example..

Sara is a CELL student from Northland College in Wisconsin: What struck me most at the National Energy Authority was the foresight of the Icelandic government: the recognition that Iceland is a country with a unique energy story. Unlike so many other countries, including the United States, Iceland´s government is not hiding behind a curtain of lies regarding energy. Instead, this government is leading the way in methodology in approaching these challenging issues. The deep drilling project which is underway is opening the doors of innovation for new possibilities for efficient, renewable energy for the country. It seems to be a reoccurring theme in sustainability efforts that environmental changes take place in the valuing of common heartfelt connections with place and those who share this place with you. One of the great visualizations of this connection is the carbon dioxide monitoring system which the Ministry of the Environment has implemented on a local Reykjavik citystreet. This CO2 monitor brings the message HOME to the people of this city...it is a direct, open form of communication of the environmental problems facing this city, this country, and the world. It is a message to awaken and an inspiration to create change from the center of the heart, from the place where these values matter the most.

Sarah is a CELL student from Hope, Maine: One of the questions I had before our field trip was about Iceland's energy policy and the success of the country in becoming more sustainable. Iceland is trying to promote the utilization of clean renewable resources in all areas. It's main objectives are to promote sustainability, diversification of industrial activity and the economy, to improve living standards, to expand energy exports and to increase foreign investment in Iceland's energy resources. Iceland has been working to replace fossil fuels as a source of domestic energy resources with alternative renewable sources. Today 72% of Iceland's domestic energy comes from renewable resources. Geothermal energy is used to heat around 90% of homes and buildings in Iceland today. There is incentive to use geothermal heating because it is cheaper than electricity, and it is less polluting to the environment. The 28% of energy use that comes from fossil fuels in Iceland is almost completely for transportation and the fishing industry. Research and work is being done to see how to integrate alternative resources into transportation and fishing. There is also government incentives to drive more fuel efficient cars because some automobile taxes are now based on CO2 emissions, the volume of the car engine, and the weight of the car. The government is also looking into fuel taxes, like taxes on the carbon content of fuel or having alternative fuels, like bio-fuels, be exempt from taxes. The Icelandic government, along with other organizations is taking action in promoting a societal change towards sustainable practices. I wonder if the government of the U.S. started making incentives for people to live more environmentally friendly, what effect it would have on society? What will it take for our society to see the changes that need to be taken before it is too late? A societal shift needs to happen in order for people to want to live sustainably. There is a lot that our government, civic organizations, non profit organizations, schools, community organizations, and individuals can do to promote an ethic of sustainability.