April 22nd is Earth Day, which is such a big deal at Disney World, Animal Kingdom celebrates for an entire week!
Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom
While you’ll be able to participate in some Earth Day activities in Animal Kingdom this month, Disney is taking some big steps into solar energy.
As we have shared before, Disney World is adding two 75-megawatt solar panels that will be able to generate 40% of the resort’s electricity when combined with existing infrastructure. And according to Good Morning America, Disney World is still aiming to hit this goal by 2023.
©Disney
“This latest step will help us further accomplish our goal of net zero emissions by 2030,” Jeff Vahle, president of the Walt Disney World Resort, told ABC News. “Our commitment to the environment goes beyond imagining a brighter, more sustainable future by putting possibility into practice to ensure a happier, healthier planet for all.”
Disney World currently has two smaller solar energy systems that generate about 10% of the electricity for the resort. These new panels will not be located on Disney property in Orlando; one will be located in Polk County, and the other will be in Gilchrist County. They are located off-property so they can continue to generate electricity, even if the weather is rainy in Orlando. They are expected to come online by early next year.
Solar Panels on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Disney has also installed solar panels in Castaway Cay, their private island, and in Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney is also award-winning when it comes to its trash and has “diverted 61% of total Company operational waste from landfills,” according to the Walt Disney Company website.
Trash Cans
Disney also operates the Disney Conservation Fund, which has invested more than $120 million to protect endangered species. Disney Conservation Team Wildlife, a team of Cast Members at Disney properties that seeks to preserve biodiversity, is working to protect and provide habitats for species like the purple martins in Florida, monarch butterflies in California, the coral reef at Castaway Cay, and sea turtles at the Vero Beach Resort.
Castaway Cay
These efforts make up something called Disney Planet Possible, which is the concrete actions Disney is taking to become more sustainable. Make sure to keep reading DFB for all the latest!
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Being a good steward of Earth is good, playing to the public with “special interest” items is not. Solar panels, who makes them? How long do they last? When they wear out how do they dispose of them? From Consumeraffairs.com: “Solar panels typically have between 15% and 20% efficiency, while coal has an efficiency of up to 40% and natural gas reaches up to 60%”. The fossil fuels emit CO2 which is what the trees and plants need to thrive, trees and plants emit oxygen, which humans need to survive. Why not plant more trees and shrubs and remain more efficient in our energy use. Conservation is good, but let’s go about this in a logical and practical manner and not what is the “hot topic”. At what initial outlay of cost is this? What (and when) is the return? I am not against taking care of the environment, but let’s consider the long term effects from this “renewable” energy platform. They would not do this if they would not make some profit from it, somehow. I am pretty sure where they will get the money for the initial outlay – “guests”! I could see me paying more for American made products and improved service, but not to countries that do not have our best interests in mind. Radicals on both sides are the most vocal but somewhere in the middle is the majority. Let’s consult them. (oops! went off topic a bit, apologies)