“We must stop using fossil fuels”

Within the framework of Earth Day, Dr. Mario Toledo of the USM was emphatic in pointing out that the alternative to reverse the process of environmental deterioration is to use energy that comes from renewable sources and efficiently.

USM Communications.- For some, the current chaos that exists in the environment as a result of the negative impacts on nature linked to human activity is irreversible, however, there are groups of optimistic researchers who think that the deterioration process could be reversed.

Among the optimists is Dr. Mario Toledo, an academic from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and head of the Renewable Energy Laboratory at the Federico Santa María Technical University, who specified that “thanks to the young students who currently show greater awareness and concern for the planet” and current research, development and policy, “this process could be reversed”.

The researcher explained that although “we need energy for our development and improvement of human well-being, here we must be responsible and make sure that this energy comes from renewable sources and that its use is efficient. In other words, we must stop using fossil fuels.”

Within the framework of a new celebration of Earth Day, last Saturday April 22, whose objective was to raise awareness among humanity about the poor health of the planet, Dr. Toledo explained that “the scarcity of water, fires and the melting of the poles”, are just a few examples of climate change.

He added that, in this sense, “the use of fossil fuels, among other activities or excesses of the human being, cause significant emissions of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, these being the main causes of climate change.”

challenges

Regarding the actions carried out by the USM with the purpose of contributing to the improvement of the planet, the head of the Renewable Energy Laboratory, pointed out that “in teaching, research and innovation the university has demonstrated its concern for the environment, which which is visualized in its strategic planning and environmental sustainability policies. In teaching there is a large number of student reports and theses, in postgraduate there is a master’s degree in Water Management, a master’s degree in Energy Economics, among other programs. In research and innovation there are Fondecyt and Fondef projects, to name a few, that focus on clean energy, such as the production and use of green hydrogen”.

As an example of the developments, Dr. Toledo said that a recent Fondef project developed a wood-burning stove that reduces particulate material emissions into the atmosphere by 70%.

In relation to the challenges of the USM to contribute from innovation and environmentally friendly technology, the academic pointed out that “in the training of innovative professionals of the future is the main challenge of the university, with flexible curricula that allow them to acquire the different tools to contribute to sustainable development and human well-being”.