Transcript Off the Grid: Comparing Energy Practices and Choices in US and India Vinit Parmar and Micha Tomkiewicz – Brooklyn College of.

Off the Grid: Comparing Energy Practices and Choices in US and India
Vinit Parmar and Micha Tomkiewicz – Brooklyn College of CUNY
Contact: [email protected]
CONCEPT
Global warming has resulted from C02 emission that results from the
burning of coal, diesel, and gas to generate electricity that we use for daily
living. Some developing communities like in India have not had access to
conventional forms of electricity generation.Over 300 million rural Indians
live without electricity. They are still burning kerosene, like we did onehundred-fifty years ago.
A: Comparison of Energy Consumption
The USA’s population is 300 million and it consumes 23% of all the
electricity in the world. India has a population of 1.1 billion and
consumes 3.7% of the world’s electricity. http://www.bp.com/statisticalreview
B: Off-the-Grid in the Sundarbans Region, India
Located in the Indian subcontinent region are the Sundarbans islands, the
largest urban wetland tributary in the world. All four million residents of these
islands live off the electrical grid, while more than 300 million Indians have no
access to electricity in India. How do they cook, get warmth, and light at
night? How do they charge their cell phones and watch television?
C: Thousands of Years Ago, and Still Today
Ever since coal and oil gas has been available for the last five hundred years, the residents
rely on kerosene for light at night. They use diesel fuel on boats for transportation. They get
the diesel from the mainland.
But some Indians, like the Molini family, acquire electricity by investing in
renewable energy technology to enter the modern world. They bypass
pollutive means to enhance their quality-of-life and enjoy sustainable
living. Meanwhile Americans, like the Gallaghers, use similar technology
to escape the modern traps of civilization.
We are making a film that explores the use of renewable technology by
both the Gallaghers and Mollas to illustrate and pose solutions for urban
and rural need for electricity. People all over the world are demanding
more energy, and with rising concerns of global warming, traditional rural
Indian practices pose a solution for cleaner, sustainable energy practices.
D: A Solar Power Plant
Since the 1990s, Abujafar Molla has been the engineer of Gosaba Island’s 500 kilowatt
solar power plant, which supplies electricity generated by using renewable energy
technology, i.e., burning wood without emitting polluting smoke and ashes.
G: Progressive Conservation Practices
A helper pummels green leaves and poultry waste as fertilizer into manure; dumped
into an enclosed pit as this mixture decomposes and oxidizes in this home-owned
bio-gas generator to make natural cooking gas, which emerges through a blue tube
from the dome. This tube feeds a cooker, which Indra ignites.
In India, the darker, less-lit areas are occupied by people who do
not have access to electricity and who want very much to have
electricity so that their children may do homework in the evening
and that their families may watch TV and listen to the radio.
E: Night Life
Everyday from 5:00PM to 11:00PM, 600 of of 5,000 homes get electricity from
the solar plant. Businesses extend work hours and people enjoy their evening
at the Gosaba market. The residents feel safe, due to the drastic decrease in
the number of snake-bites upon illumination.
F: Traditional Indian Conservation Practices
To cook, Indra Molla collects cow dung, and prepares it into paddies to dry. She gathers wood from around the two acres of land they own. Then, Indra
places chunks of dried cow dung, branches and sticks into a clay oven nestled in the ground, and burns the mixture for an unlimited supply of free cooking
heat. This traditional, sustainable practice has been used by Indians for thousands of years.
H: A Renewable Energy Store
A local solar shop sells renewable energy appliances. Residents can rent charged
batteries or buy solar home lighting kits and bio-gas generators to make cook gas.
I: Investing for the Future
Mr. Molla bought from the solar shop a solar kit to generate electricity for two lights,
a fan, and a tv. Their children can now study in the evenings.
K: At Home in the USA: Saving Our Precious Backyard
From New York, Phil and Mary Gallagher drive to a remote Maine vacation cabin located off the
electrical grid. It is set behind a lake and a handful of very tall pine trees. How will they manage to
cook, to keep warm, and to see at night? Will they be able to charge a cell phone or watch television?
J: Indians Keep Up With New Trends
An Energy Park shows ways to enjoy sustainable and economical living. The park promises a fun hands-on recreational and educational
experience. Supported by the West Bengal Energy Renewable Development Agency, the park illustrates ways in which the State provides
pollution-free energy choices to various communities throughout the State.
L: Can And Will Americans Help Combat Global Warming?
Phil and Mary get prepared by fixing the propane gas for cooking, connecting a fresh water line from a nearby spring, and gathering wood for the fireplace.
Concept Question
Can we learn to live this way?
What can we do now that is
economical and sustainable?