With a rapidly increasing temperatures and devastating amounts of species extinction, Oceanic Thermal Energy Conversion is the most genius and efficient proposal to battle climate change, the best source of energy, and a superior source of energy. Without a change in our damaging practices, the Earth’s health will continue to deteriorate until nothing is left; acting now is key to sustainability.

The development of OTEC began in the 1880s. Right now, Japan has the only functioning plant, but this is only a five megawatt plant. Hawaii attempted to provide energy using an OTEC plant for the military bases there, but it failed to operate correctly. However, the federal government plans to produce one that supplies 100 megawatts effectively, which is approximately enough energy for 20 urban cities.

OTEC is a machine that uses the temperature differentials in an ocean to run heat engines and produce electricity by circulating the water in a turbine. The cycle runs 24/7, constantly producing energy. OTEC not only stops us from emitting more carbon dioxide into the air by allowing us to switch to renewable sources, but it also physically removes carbon dioxide out of the air through a process known as carbon sequestration. The cycling of water brings up nutrients from the depths of the ocean and helps phytoplankton at the surface grow. These phytoplankton reduce the current amount in the atmosphere, and as a byproduct, OTEC also produces clean, desalinated water, which could even help solve for shortages and wars in third world countries.

In addition to OTEC’s many functions, the biggest advantage is that it helps prevent further global warming. By switching to renewable sources, it prevents us from exploiting the environment and nonrenewable resources that pollute the air. Currently, the only way to sequest carbon is through whale decomposition, but OTEC speeds up this process, helping to solve warming. The process solve the issue of the emissions in the air while also increasing the albedo affect. The albedo effect comes from the release of sulfate aerosols, creating more clouds in the atmosphere. This causes sunlight to reflect off the surface of the earth, making it significantly cooler on the surface. Another benefit of OTEC is that it helps lower the number of hurricanes and natural disasters on Earth because of the cooler surface temperatures.

By providing a complete alternative, unlimited source of energy, OTEC eases the fossil fuel shortage crisis, and hopefully, it may make the cost of energy cheaper. The implementation not only saves you money, but it increases the economy because a new industry attracts investors, and it creates millions of job opportunities including architects, mechanics, factory workers, bankers, lawyers, etc. OTEC has countless benefits, and only costs $50 million to get started. Once the first one is built, private companies will be more than willing to create their own. After OTEC becomes big in the US, other countries will model us as well. In the end, we can combat warming, prevent wars, and colonize currently inhabitable areas. This brilliant invention has no negative effects on the environment, the economy, and our lives.