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Solar powered conservation By Bhalin Singh, special to mongabay.com August 25, 2009
However, the mission has not been easy. Challenges have included logistics, availability of equipment and funding. Still, Gold is hopeful that with support, the initiative will expand to other parts of the world. In an August interview with mongabay.com, Gold discussed the Wildlife Conservation Network's Solar Project. Note: If you are interested in learning more about the Wildlife Conservation Network's Solar Project, Stephen Gold will be available to meet at the Wildlife Conservation Network's Expo in San Francisco on Saturday, October 3th. AN INTERVIEW WITH STEPHEN GOLD Mongabay: What is your background and how did you get interested in solar power?
I first became interested in solar energy at a very young age, looking at satellites and solar cells powering small fans, but it was not until the early 1970s, that I really saw solar energy as a viable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel. Mongabay: How did your connection to wildlife conservation begin? Stephen Gold: I have traveled to a number of countries and I have always been attracted to animals and ecosystems. When you look into another being's eyes, it changes you. Mongabay: What was the inspiration behind providing solar power for conservationists in the field?
Mongabay: From inception of this idea to completion of your first solar project, what was required of you and others to make this real? Stephen Gold: That was a long road. It started with calling local contacts, writing letters, emails, getting many rejections, and finally finding BP Solar, who gave the project a foundation. They donated all of the solar modules. Companies like Solar Depot in Petaluma, Outback Power Systems, MK Batteries, Morningstar Corp. and a local lumber company, Beronio Lumber followed, making the project a reality. All of these companies donated materials, labor and tremendous good will, which enabled me to acquire the necessary components to put together the initial nine systems. Although I could not have done this alone, I personally put in many, many hours. Mongabay: Now that WCN has a foothold in several countries, what's the next step? More similar projects or larger scaled ones?
Mongabay: What are the biggest challenges WCN Solar faces in the near term? Long term? Stephen Gold: Like everyone else, funding. I have personally donated hundreds of hours and substantial amounts of money to make this project a reality. I will continue to have the same needs in the long term. More people need to understand that if we do not want our children to think of a cheetah as a mythological animal like a unicorn, we need to help people who are devoting their lives to saving them. Mongabay: Is there a way to get the local communities to benefit where perhaps schools, clinics, etc can be established and work together with WCN's conservationists? Studies have nearly always shown when the local populace benefits, tremendous success for wildlife conservation ensues.
Stephen Gold: We are not sure at this time. Mongabay: What ways can people get involved and help WCN Solar Projects?
Mongabay: Ideally, where would you like WCN Solar to be in five years? Stephen Gold: I see the project continuing, spreading to other parts of the world, and becoming an influential example of sustainable living. It is now almost 5 years old, already empowering the work of ten conservation projects, and just starting to become what I have envisioned. If you are interested in learning more about the Wildlife Conservation Network's Solar Project, Stephen Gold will be available to meet at the Wildlife Conservation Network's Expo in San Francisco on Saturday, October 3th
Tags: Solar Power solar energy conservation technology happy-upbeat environmental green energy clean energy renewable energy alternative energy kenya tanzania ethiopia botswana africa Zimbabwe Bhalin Singh Mozambique Mongolia interviews featured wcn green environment Environmental news index | RSS | News Feed | Twitter | Home Advertisements:
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