RULES FOR COMPETITION
Please unearth at least one issue and at least one solution to energy and/or environmental challenge facing New York State.
Be specific in the issue, show you’ve researched or understood it from a holistic perspective and that your solution is different and could make a broad impact on reducing emissions and/or protecting the environment.
Some examples. You can build off one of the examples below or come up with your own problem and solution. The examples of energy and environmental problems facing New York State have been curated to prioritize issues resonating with influencers, lawmakers, and regulators.
Every year in New York State there are approximately 19 million tires discarded in landfills. This problem has been very underpublicized and few people know the magnitude of it. There are countless potential uses for wasted rubber. Uncover a solution that helps reuse and recycle the material in an eco-friendly way as well as cost-effective.
Each municipality in the state must find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions goals. The state set up a renewable energy credits program like many other states, but many say it’s restrictive. What can be done so municipalities can meet the greenhouse emissions goals? Is there a way they could obtain renewable resources from neighboring states? For example, many areas of New York do not have enough solar panels on buildings to drive down emissions, become carbon neutral and become 100% renewable per the state mandate. What can NY State do to create more offshore wind and solar and alternatives to get to 100% renewables?
Producing and laying concrete across the world, including New York State, is energy-intensive. Concrete production yields 7-8% of global CO2. What are alternatives to concrete for NY State infrastructure, including but not limited to, sidewalks, roads, bridges, commercials space, etc.? How should NY State address its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions from its concrete production?
Food waste makes up an environmentally damaging amount of discarded material in landfills. Reducing the amount of food related substances in landfills would reduce the amount of CO2 emissions. How can New York State or local governments work to reduce unwanted food in landfills?
Question to consider:
How critical is this issue to New York State? Does this issue and your proposed solution impact or benefit other states, nations, and the global quest to address climate change?
How long has this issue been salient? How serious is the issue? What remedies have been considered that you know of?
What is your remedy? Why?
Who would be involved to combat and/or ameliorate the problem?