Climate change is a topic of increasing interest to everyone. But what is climate change, how does it affect electric cooperatives, and what does it have to do with co-op members? In an effort to clarify this issue, we offer answers to some basic questions about climate change, and how it affects electric co-ops.

Q: What are climate and climate change?

A: Climate refers to the average weather–temperature and precipitation, among other variables–over a long time. The earth’s climate is always changing. Natural climatic changes may occur over seasons, decades and centuries. The periodic rapid warming trend in the eastern Pacific Ocean, known as El Niño, is an example of climate change on a shorter time scale.

Q: What causes climate change?

A: Natural factors and processes contribute to climate change and include changes in the earth’s orbit and in the output of the sun. Human activities, such as fossil fuel consumption and deforestation, also contribute to climate change.

Q: What are greenhouse gases and how are they produced?

A: Greenhouse gases are chemical compounds that trap heat from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere. This is known as “the greenhouse effect,” the natural phenomenon that warms the earth’s surface. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor. These gases occur naturally and through human activity. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when forests and fossil fuels are burned. Fossil fuels include oil, natural gas and coal. Methane is released during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and from the decay of organic waste in municipal solid-waste landfills. Although water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas, its atmospheric concentration is not directly affected by human activity.

Q:What do scientists think about climate change?

A: Scientists agree that greenhouse gases are accumulating in the earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities. However, there is considerable uncertainty in scientists’ understanding about the impacts of greenhouse gases on the earth’s climate.

Q: What does climate change have to do with electric cooperatives?

A: Electricity generation is the single largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, representing 38 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions from all sources in 2004. Electric cooperatives generate only about 5 percent of the nation’s electricity, 80 percent of that is from fossil fuels. As a result, electric cooperatives have a deep interest in technologies that reduce, avoid and store greenhouse gas emissions.

Q: What are electric cooperatives doing to address climate change?

A: Currently, there is a lack of cost-effective technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-based generation. Electric cooperatives are helping to develop new technologies and energy sources to reduce, avoid, and sequester or store emissions. Co-ops across the nation are using and promoting alternative and renewable energy options, including wind energy, solar energy, hydropower and biomass (methane gas, wood waste, farm byproducts and ethanol). More than 700 electric co-ops offer renewable energy. Additionally, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds offer a financing resource that will lead to the development of new co-op-owned renewable energy projects.

Q: How can new technologies benefit electric co-op members and the climate?

A: New technologies that lead to greater energy efficiency are a primary focus for electric cooperatives. These include building modern, environmentally sound power plants and implementing carbon-efficient electric generation, such as nuclear energy, fuel cells and clean-coal projects like the plant Wolverine Power Cooperative proposes to build in Rogers City. Electric co-ops are keeping pace with high-tech advancements to improve operations. For example, they currently lead the industry in automated meter technology.

Q: What can an electric co-op member do to address concerns about climate change?

A: Some Michigan co-ops offer, or soon will offer, a “green power” option. Cooperatives also encourage energy conservation and efficiency, including using compact fluorescent lighting, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, installing a programmable thermostat, and improving insulation. Some cooperatives offer home energy audits. They also promote geothermal heating and cooling systems to reduce home heating bills and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Q: What is the policy debate about climate change like among policymakers and industry leaders, and what do electric cooperatives support?

A: Climate change issues continue to gain increasing attention in Congress and the utility industry. Electric cooperatives support the research and development of low and zero-emission energy technologies, new energy-efficiency technologies, renewable and alternative energy options, financial incentives to accelerate the use of new technologies and offset higher costs, and will continue to support voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Q: How do international factors affect climate change?

A: The global population and worldwide demand for fuel are growing significantly. China is the fastest growing major economy in the world, while India runs a close second. This growth means people are driving more cars, building more homes and businesses, and using more fossil fuels to generate electricity, thus leading to more greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is necessary that governments around the world support ways to reduce emissions while they develop long-term climate change solutions and new technologies.
–National Rural Electric Cooperative Association