Consider for a moment your lives without electric power. The probability is that the bulk of the population would become non-functional in a flash. The rest would probably become dysfunctional.
Without electrical power society would soon be in the dark ages, literally. The problem posed: from whence will we acquire additional sources to power our obsession with living better electrically? The forces of Niagara Falls, the Hoover Dam and Churchill Falls are not sufficient to supply the insatiable need. Even the employment of every mouse, hamster, and squirrel turning treadmills would not be enough to pick up the slack. Windmills require wind, solar panels seem to work best with sun, and nuclear facilities run the risk of turning us all into glo-sticks.
Fortunately, there is an obvious and innovative solution!
One need not be a student of geography to realize the abundant amount of rivers that flow within North America. Even though many amount to little more than brooks and creeks, all present a potential for power. Note that every one of these bodies of water has their origins well above sea level and you can see salvation taking shape. For example, the reason Niagara is effective, electrically speaking, is that the water plunges with a great degree of force, due to dropping down over considerable height, as the flow finds its way to the sea. By merely recreating this situation near sites that require elevated levels of electricity, we solve not only the power problem, but several others, as well.
Take, for example, the Hudson River and pick a point way upstream, a point several hundred feet above sea level. With an undertaking unequaled since the New Deal, an artificial precipice is constructed, fabricating a shear drop to sea level that would dwarf Niagara, creating a rush of water that would result not only in enough extra megawatts to make electric company meter readers dizzy with delight. It would also enhance the environment and create whole new industries and livelihoods that were heretofore nonexistent!
Environmentally, the immediate benefit is that the ensuing rapid flow of the river sweeping down the newly formed chasm would wash all the garbage and sludge currently inhabiting the channel back out into the ocean, where eventually, it can become someone else's problem. Economically, the raised river level of the fake fjord now in place would submerge many areas in drastic need of redevelopment, anyhow. This would free up funds to be applied to other pressing problems (such as the relocation of displaced persons, but that is another column, entirely).
Think of the vast influx of visitors that would arrive from all corners of the globe to vacation at this new tourist attraction. No doubt, it would soon outrank Niagara Falls as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World”. Of course, the economic benefits don't end there, because opportunities for new amusement parks, hotels and casinos beckon and abound in this playground created by and for power.
Yes, the solution is shockingly simple and it can be applied anywhere, creating a bright future for all!
We could even attach zip lock baggies to the hindquarters of these creatures (put out to pasture much too prematurely) and use their recycled material (pooh) to create paper, much as they do in Africa with elephant dung.
We're letting all this economical and environmental glory slip away!
:) Good article - really enjoyed it!