Why is 21 Acres installing renewable systems?

Building power plants, oil and gas pipelines is very capital-intensive.  Analyses show that if worldwide energy use continues to rise at the current 2% a year, energy supply investments of $11-$13 trillion will be needed during the period from 2000 to 2020. This level of investment is two to four times the level of investment in energy production and conversion worldwide during the 1990’s.  Knowing that US oil production peaked in 1970 and declined nearly 30% by 2000, the US is running out of economically recoverable oil whether or not oil drilling is allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Geller 2001).

 
Once conventional oil production peaks, it is expected to decline around 3% per year as remaining resources become increasingly difficult to reach (Bently,2002).  Oil prices could climb steeply as production declines, unless alternative fuels become available in large quantity.
 
Current public policy in the United States supports use of renewable energy systems, but it is minimally funded.  Part of the capital campaign for 21 Acres is an effort to find support for the conservation and renewable systems inherent throughout the building, which will demonstrate that the technology is here and it works.  Howard Geller summarizes that sustainable energy development could help to reduce urban air pollution, acid rain, and global warming.