Searching for alternative energy sources is nothing new. We use energy in enormous quantities; the production and disposal of junk mail in this country alone each year uses more energy than running 3 million cars. What’s new is the latest attempt to tackle the energy crisis: collecting solar energy from the Sahara Desert.

According to Organicjar.com, if 0.3% of the Saharan Desert was made into a solar plant, “it would produce enough power to provide…Europe with clean renewable energy.” That’s a pretty promising projection, and now, 20 German companies are coming together to try to make such a solar farm possible. The Desertec Foundation is pushing for the alliance so that they can erect the solar plants across northern Africa. If it comes to fruition, this would be the largest solar installation in the world.

Inhabitat reports that this project is still 10-15 years from going online, but getting started now means laying the groundwork for growth. Desertec is not without critics, though… Inhabitat also reports, “Herman Scheer, President of the European Association for Renewable Energy is disappointed that these companies are considering such large scale projects and not distributed generation at the demand centers, and says that the Desertec project is ‘highly problematic’ due to sand storms, dealing with foreign countries, meeting deadlines and so on.” Still, many advocate large-scale projects as the quickest means to resolving the energy crisis, and there’s a chance that solar power from the Sahara is one of the first steps of this kind.

Another way to help with energy problems is to cut the energy we use every day. Turn off lights when you’re not in a room, unplug appliances you don’t need, and cut your junk mail by signing up for the Privacy Council’s list removal service. You’ll save some trees AND some energy; that’s great for the planet! Click here to sign up and get started with doing your part for the planet.