Reducing fossil fuel consumption: Renewable energy in antarctica

Abstract

Energy is needed for all human activity in Antarctica-generating electricity, heating buildings, supplying and heating water, treating and removing waste, and for transporting goods and people. Not only is the production of energy in Antarctica almost totally reliant on fossil fuels, so is the manufacture and supply of equipment for use once in Antarctica. Anything taken to the Antarctic continent, for any use, results from the consumption of fossil fuels somewhere on the planet. Using fossil fuels (petrol, diesel, oil and gas) has unwanted consequences. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and, if fuel spills occur in Antarctica, serious environmental damage can result. These are both good incentives for reducing the use of fossil fuels. Although we are a long way from using renewable energy for equipment manufacture and transport to Antarctica, the Antarctic community is increasingly meeting some day-to-day personnel and research needs while on the continent by using renewable energy.