FOR365 Group 2 Proposal Title: Harnessing Natural Processes in our Quest for Clean Alternative Energy

Topic and Introduction: As scientists, citizens, governments, NGOs, and the media spotlight the need for reduced carbon emissions to mitigate the effects of global warming, the need to implement clean, renewable energy sources is critical to the sustainability of our ecosystems, global economics, and global health. While developing countries are often poor examples of environmental awareness, some, such as Costa Rica, are becoming leaders in implementing renewable energy and environmental awareness. We would like to examine the role of changing paradigms toward renewable energy, summarize the economic and ecological advantages of moving toward renewable energy, while also looking at some of the pitfalls and hurdles to overcome advancement.

Justification for this topic: While researching topics, we found that Costa Rica is on track for becoming a carbon neutral country by 2021, currently providing 99% of its electrical generation from renewable sources. Clearly, energy generation is one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming and is, by its nature, an international issue. The intent of our lesson is to provide a clear understanding of some of the problems

associated with renewable energy, the unseen benefits and costs, and the effects on citizens. References Boddiger, D. (2012, October 19). A first step toward carbon neutrality. Tico Times. Retrieved from http://www.ticotimes.net/More-news/Top-Story/A-first-steptoward-carbon-neutrality_Friday-October-19-2012/ CEGESTI. (2012, December 12). Observatory of renewable energy in latin America and the Caribbean [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.renenergyobservatory.org/uploads/media/Costa_Rica_Producto_1_y_ 2__Ing__01.pdf Editor's choice [Editorial]. (2012, July 6). Energy Weekly News. Retrieved from http://mw8xt6bj7r.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.882004&ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF8&rfr_id=info:sid/summon.serialssolutions.com&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mt x:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Analyzing+Geothermal+Power+in+Costa+ Rica+2012&rft.jtitle=Energy+Weekly+News&rft.date=2012-0706&rft.issn=1945-6980&rft.eissn=19456999&rft.spage=12&rft.externalDocID=Energy_Weekly_News_2012_07_06_12 _Research_and_Markets_Analyzing_Geothermal_Power_in_Costa_Rica_2012&p aramdict=en-US Francescato, R. (2013, April 5). The path to 100% renewables. Retrieved October 24, 2013, from http://theenergycollective.com/rosana-francescato/205171/path-100renewables

Haffar, W. R., & Carls, J. (2010). Conflict resolution of the Boruca hydro-energy project. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=K12GqymgxJIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR 5&dq=Renewable+Energy+Costa+Rica&ots=AWAnfmRG0K&sig=YO8LTQYX GSJCtfPiLH7GugQmnSY#v=onepage&q=Renewable%20Energy%20Costa%20 Rica&f=false Lewis, B. (2009, July 5). Happiness is ... living green in Costa Rica; Satisfied citizens, renewable energy earn top Happy Planet ranking. Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia), LIFE, p. D11. Retrieved from http://mw8xt6bj7r.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.882004&ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF8&rfr_id=info:sid/summon.serialssolutions.com&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mt x:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Happiness+is+...+living+green+in+Costa+ Rica%3B+Satisfied+citizens%2C+renewable+energy+earn+top+Happy+Planet+r anking&rft.jtitle=Times+-+Colonist&rft.au=Barbara+Lewis&rft.date=2009-0705&rft.pub=Infomart%2C+a+division+of+Postmedia+Network+Inc&rft.spage=D .11&rft.externalDocID=1779093021&paramdict=en-US Uses of solar energy in Costa Rica [PDF]. (2006). Elsevier, 31(5), 689-701. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.proxy.library.oregonstate.edu/science/artic le/pii/S0960148105002065

Why our group chose this subject:

This subject was chosen as there is a growing need to balance out the components of the global carbon budget in order to stabilize the warming climate. There are many aspects to renewable energy that are developing adverse opinions. Research into the issues is something that the whole group is interested in reviewing.