Climate Action
Earth, Water, and Fire: How Farmers, Fisherman, and Firefighters Are Embracing Renewable Energy
February 19, 2025
When the conversation turns to renewable energy, the focus is often on energy companies swapping out fossil fuels for wind, or homeowners opting for solar. But what exactly does the transition to renewables look like beyond wind farms and rooftop solar?
In industries that rely on fuel to keep their operations running, the transition is taking shape in unexpected ways. For fishermen, farmers, and firefighters, innovation and green technology are transforming traditionally fuel-dependent practices into more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
Growing Greener
The agriculture sector holds the number two spot in greenhouse gas emissions, right after the energy industry. Cows alone make up nearly half of these agricultural emissions. It’s not the most glamorous aspect of agriculture, but both the digestive process and the breakdown of cow manure release high levels of methane into the atmosphere.
Methane is the second-largest greenhouse gas contributing to climate change and is 28 times as potent as Carbon Dioxide, which is the most abundant. This potent impact has led to various efforts aimed at curbing methane emissions from livestock, some more unconventional than others.
Perhaps you remember Burger King’s 2020 “Breathe the Farts of Change” campaign that pledged to reduce ⅓ of cow-related methane by adding lemongrass to their diet. However, scientists and farmers suggest this is misleading and not an effective tactic to curb methane emissions. But that doesn’t mean we’re stuck with cows stinking up the atmosphere; innovative solutions are turning this problem into a greener opportunity.
Cow Poo = Energy
Cow manure now has the ability to become a renewable energy source through anaerobic digestion, a process where bacteria break down organic matter in an oxygen-free environment to produce biogas. This solution doesn’t just tackle methane reduction, but provides opportunities for farmers to reduce their reliance on synthetic fertilizers and diversify their income.
When anaerobic digesters break down cow manure they create usable gas. On the farm, this gas can power engines and turbines, or be processed into digestate to be used as nutrient-rich fertilizer. Digestate can cut the dependence on chemical fertilizers by up to 50% which is a huge climate win. Chemical fertilizers damage soils fertility and structure as well as contributing to algal blooms and dead zones from nitrogen and phosphorus run-off.
This technology is already transforming daily life in rural communities across China, where biogas plants power farms by repurposing cow manure for energy production. In 2003, China’s National Rural Biogas Construction Plan was launched to expand biogas infrastructure in rural areas, promoting the use of agricultural waste for energy production. Since then, China has become the global leader in biogas adoption, with an estimated 41.6 million households now using biogas, more than any other country.
As advancements in biogas technology continue and more countries recognize its benefits, the sector is poised for significant growth on a global scale. The International Energy Agency projects that by 2040, the global biogas potential will be over 50% greater than it is today.
As the biogas industry expands, so, too, does our capacity to capture methane emissions that would otherwise be emitted from organic waste. We can simultaneously use that captured methane to displace other emissions from fossil fuels that are used for energy and making fertilizer. It’s a double win that often results in negative carbon emissions. Most other renewables can only get to a carbon intensity of net zero
Patrick Serfass, Executive Director, American Biogas Council
This growing recognition of biogas as a powerful climate solution is echoed by biogas expert John Forcier, who sees an additional advantage beyond just environmental and energy benefits by adding a new revenue stream. “It’s truly a win-win-win [scenario],” he explains. He sees the potential of biogas aiding farmers in his home state of Vermont by adding a valuable source of income. By selling digestate-derived products and biogas-generated electricity to the electricity grid, farmers can create new economic opportunities while promoting sustainability. Carbon offset credits are also granted for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, providing both environmental and financial benefits.
With its potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, and diversify economies, biogas stands out as a versatile and sustainable energy solution.
The Sustainable Catch
Fishermen are also adopting climate safe practices by incorporating renewable energy into their routines. Alaska, a major hub for fishing, is at the forefront of adopting electric boats in the industry. Yes you heard that right – electric boats.
This represents a significant milestone since Alaska accounts for nearly 60% of the United States’ commercial seafood production!
In 2023, fisherman Eric Jordan deployed Alaska’s first commercial hybrid fishing vessel. The boat has a hybrid battery-diesel system that cuts the boat’s fuel use by approximately 80%. But it was a collective effort. The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA) has been working since 1978 to advocate for sustainable and climate-safe practices, and partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to make their dream of hybrid fishing vessels a reality. ALFA is working on blueprints to extend this to other commercial fishing boats, hoping “to inspire decarbonization efforts across its entire fleet — and beyond.”
But Alaska is not the only place embracing exciting innovation! In Kenya they are pioneering sustainable solutions in the fishing industry too.
Africa’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Victoria, draws in over 200,000 fisherman yearly, most of of them fishing on a small not industrial type scale. The aptly named Lake Victoria Sardine, or silver cyprinid, is a staple catch for these fishermen. However, since the fish are attracted to light, they are typically caught during nighttime expeditions meaningthat the lake is populated by thousands of energy guzzling lamps and lanterns.
One boat would have at least four pressure lamps around it. All of them emitted smoke that filled the air, making it difficult to breathe.
Michael Odero, Fisherman on Lake Victoria
Many of these lamps relied on paraffin, a crude oil that is harmful to both land and sea-life. That was until the boats turned to solar-powered lamps. The solar-powered lights are left out in the sunshine to charge during the day for free and are fully powered up by nightfall, lasting the whole night.
Not only is this a more environmentally friendly option, but a cheaper one too. Solar lamps are 33% cheaper to purchase than kerosene lamps, a type of paraffin, and 90% cheaper to refuel. With lower costs and a reduced environmental impact, the shift to solar-powered lamps is not just a practical innovation but a transformative step toward more sustainable and profitable fishing practices on Lake Victoria.
Powering Emergency Response
Just as fishermen are embracing green technology, fire departments are also making the shift toward sustainability by upgrading their infrastructure with renewable energy sources. Across the United States, fire departments are transitioning to solar power to generate clean, reliable energy for their stations and emergency operations.
In 2023, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) received $2.4 million in funding from the city to install solar panels on six firehouses in Queens and Brooklyn. The initiative aimed to enhance energy resilience by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. By investing in solar energy, the city is not only strengthening emergency preparedness but also setting a precedent for greener, more resilient fire stations nationwide.
FDNY firehouses are among the most critical infrastructure in our city, and it’s imperative that its key functions remain operable in the face of power loss. We are proud to work with NYPA to bring these solar upgrades to firehouses that need it the most in our pursuit to better serve all New Yorkers. Work like this is how we build a stronger, more resilient New York.
Dawn Pinnock, Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, New York City
Other cities have followed suit with California’s Redwood Coast Energy Authority securing a $3 million award in 2024 to expand renewable energy infrastructure. This initiative focuses on bringing reliable, sustainable power to high-fire-risk areas like Humboldt County. By prioritizing renewable energy in vulnerable regions, these efforts not only enhance wildfire resilience but also pave the way for a more sustainable future.
What You Can Do
From farms, to fisheries, to fire stations, renewable energy is reshaping industries across the country and the world, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
But change happens faster when we work together. Building power at the local level can drive lasting economic and environmental change, creating resilient communities, generating sustainable jobs, and ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for all. Be part of EARTHDAY.ORG’s Our Power, Our Planet initiative, urging local leaders to champion a sustainable future by transitioning to renewable energy.
The future is in our hands – so let’s power it together – help us by adding your name to our Renewable Energy Petition. The transition to renewable energy is about creating a future where everyone can thrive. Let’s use the power of the Earth Day network and our global movement to demand urgent action from governments, businesses, and communities around the world. There’s more! If you are interested in exploring how your community can back renewable energy – join our EARTH ACTION DAY campaign and email Evan Raskin at [email protected] for his advice and help.
