In an effort to keep up with rising energy demands, countries around the world are looking into cost-saving, renewable energy sources. The French documentary “Demain”, which translates to “Tomorrow”, discusses Iceland’s use of geothermal energy to accomplish its goals toward net zero is an ongoing sustainable success story. In the mountains, pipelines connects a 300 megawatt power plant to the capital city of Reykjavik, transferring electricity and hot water made from geothermal energy.
According to an article on the Scientific American, journalist Christopher Mims describes Iceland’s traits that allow its government to exploit its geothermal power. Underground reservoirs of water that are constantly renewed by precipitation that range as high as 177 inches over the country’s glaciers are heated by magma to temperatures that exceed 750 degrees Fahrenheit. The development of geothermal power started in the 1970’s as a response to an oil shock. Homes at the time were entirely dependent on oil for heat, and needed to find alternatives to overexploiting their traditional energy resources. Today, 90 percent of homes in Iceland are connected to a renewable heating system and 99 percent of electricity is produced from renewable sources, 30 percent being geothermal power. Through a mix of geothermal and hydroelectric power, Iceland prides itself on being 100 percent self-sufficient. In addition to serving as a critical power supply, the geothermal power is responsible for the development of Iceland’s leading tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon’s geothermal water comes from freshwater and seawater combining at extreme temperatures, which is harnessed by a nearby power plant that also provides electricity and hot water to the local community. I had the privilege of visiting Reykjavik, Iceland in December and spent a morning relaxing at the Blue Lagoon. Besides the warm, blue water and tranquil ambiance, I was experiencing Iceland's geothermal empire first-hand. Knowing this allowed me to submerge myself into this oasis of human and natural ingenuity with a green peace of mind. Other developed countries like the United States, Switzerland and France have the potential to utilize geothermal energy. This potential is not limited to the Global North, but can be seen in countries like Kenya and Ethiopia. Iceland’s use of renewable energy sources is an example of how countries around the world are institutionalizing sustainability to reduce the effects of global warming and overconsumption of depleting resources. You can watch the full documentary "Demain" here. For more information on the Blue Lagoon, you can visit their website here.
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