Society has become dependent on non-renewable resources for energy. Consequently, we are depleting important resources, negatively impacting the environment, and causing international conflicts. Alternative energy sources are a great way to halt the negative impact on the environment.
Although skeptics of alternative energy will say that it is an unreliable source of energy, there is proof that you can rely on our natural energy sources. One wind turbine can supply enough energy for approximately two hundred houses. Now, with new technology, there are smaller, more practical wind turbines more fit for the use of acreage owners. You can also depend on hydropower. The Hoover Dam is a great example this. It provides generation of low-cost hydroelectric power for use in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The Hoover Dam alone generates more than 4 billion kilowatt-hours a year - enough to serve 1.3 million people. Relying on these alternative sources of energy will help our nation become self-sustaining, not relying on the whims and demands of unstable foreign countries.
While some critics of alternative energy will argue that the negatives and risks of nuclear energy outweigh the benefits, there are clear facts to disprove their beliefs. For example, the use of nuclear power does not contribute to global warming, through emissions of carbon dioxide, as stated in the article, "Nuclear Power and the Environment." The same article also says, "Nuclear power provides an environmental benefit by almost entirely eliminating airborne wastes and particulates generated during the power generation." Turning to nuclear power, as well as many other alternative energy sources, could help diminish excessive pollution.
Other natural sources of energy are bio fuels, solar power, and hybrid power. The use of solar power can dramatically reduce the cost to provide energy for a home or place of business. It can do this by not only supplying solar energy for present use, but by also storing excess power for later use. This excess solar power can also be sold back to utility companies for a profit. This technology could assist families with not only electrical costs, but could provide them with a reliable source of heat and air-conditioning. The use of the alternative energy sources can help ease the burden of the energy needs for the families that live paycheck to paycheck.
As more and more people start to "go green," many states are adopting mandates and standards to reduce local and global impact of energy production. Even legislatures are promoting the development of these resources. "We are reaching landmark times and cannot let these opportunities just slip by," says Arizona Representative Lucy Mason. "Renewable energy development is important to our rural areas. We're talking about attracting new businesses and highly skilled job opportunities."
As America becomes aware of the unfortunate consequences of society's dependence on foreign oil, they begin to look for answers to become independent of those undesirable ties. The perfect answer can be found all around us. The water, the sun, the wind, as well as the crops that farmers produce are all a part of the answer. Using available alternative energy sources is a much wiser decision than wasting money on the limited non-renewable energy sources society now relies on.
~echo00
15 comments:
I agree. The transition from being dependent on oil reserves in foreign countries to being able to lean on ourselves is neccesary. We have plenty of energy supplies right here in America! We need to take advatage of this. The pilgrims were welcomed here by the fertile soil and abundance in natural resources America had to offer. And for our day and age she has much more hidden up her sleeve than we can imagine. We need to take her up on her offer and reclaim our energy independece. America has so much to give, and we should be gracious recievers.
i totally agree. There is virtually no reason to stay dependent on foreign oil. Its an addiction for America. The sooner we can trasition into using more practical alternatives, the better. We have so many resourses to exploit, we just have to commit do changing our ways. Some changes will be harder than others, cars for instance, but in a nation that has accomplished as much as the US there is no reson we cannot make this commitment.
I completely agree with you echo. The natural sources of power are much cleaner and do not pollute the environment. The only negative point to go against you would be the cost. The government sees oil as expensive, but the alternate means of energy as even more expensive. Because the government makes more money from oil by raising gas prices, why should they transfer to more natural, clean methods of obtaining energy? I think, that the transition between foreign oil to more natural sources of energy is important, like pj said, but the government doesn't want to loss money...so let's think about this, in a society based strongly in economics, why would the government not want to save it's citizens' money? The answer is simple: to save more for themselves.
Mostly everyone agrees with the fact that energy independence is a top priority. But both campaigns have plans for energy independence that will take quite some time, some plans lasting until the year 2020 or 2025. Energy is a major problem NOW. I feel the real question is, should we drill in the meantime to lessen our foreign dependency on oil?
You make some very interesting points here, but the only true power in a capitalistic society is money. And simply all of these forms of energy just aren't as cheap. It is easy for people to say that they want to improve the environment, but few are willing to make the financial sacrifices in order to make it happen. Other factors into the production of "clean" energy sources should be of our concern as well. A great example of the issues are through solar power. Small scale photovoltaic cells have energy efficiencies in the 2-3% range with payoff in the 5+ years (produce their cost in energy) Large scale solar power plants are slightly more efficient, but require expensive parabolic mirrors, high maintenance costs, and very specific weather conditions to prevent wear to expensive components. I am a strong supporter of nuclear energy. It is cheap, efficient, plentiful, and if correctly overseen by regulators very clean.
I completely agree. We should research alternative fuels more before it is too late. We need people to research alternative fuels before the non-renewable resources we have disappear. Politics are always talking about off shore drilling. Instead of spending money drilling, we should spend more time researching ways that way we won't have to drill. Look at all the technology we have around us today,such as ipods and Hi-Def TVs, that was thought to be impossible. It wasn't and neither is alternative fuel. We need to put what we need ahead of what we want, and get are priorities set straight.
All though the transition from oil reserves to ourselves is necessary but it will not be easy or fast. And pj lover.... the pilgrims came along time ago..
Our country needs to become less dependent on fossil fuels and I agree that our country needs to start using alternative energy sources. We could use Sweden as an example for how to do it. In Sweden, 45% of their electricity comes from nuclear power and 47% is from hydro power,which is using falling water to generate energy. The U.S. and the environment would be a lot better off if we depended less on fossil fuels and more on renewable energy.
I totally agree with this post. Alternative energy is a definite must. And the benefits so outweigh the risks! We should utilize the resources we have around us: biofuel, wind turbines, hydropower, and yes, even nuclear power. By using these resources we will decrease our dependence on other country's oil and be able to better sustain ourselves. We shouldn't have to rely so heavily on areas of the world that are not exactly our best friends. I say, if we have the power to limit our dependence on foreign resources, we should do whatever it takes to make it a reality.
I completely agree with you echo. By switching from oil from other countries to depending on ourselves, we will be not only stimulating the U.S. economy, but we will be creating numerous new job opportunities for the middle class of America. And with ever high unemployment rates, we'll definitely need those new openings.
I disagree with you all oil is AWESOME!!!!!! there is nothing better than good old oil. so what if it will be gone eventually, not in my lifetime. third world countries need our investment otherwise they will never be able to develope into stable well functioning Countries. So as for now "Drill baby drill"
Greesy Ferret you are my savior!!! If not for foreign oil where would we be now!!! Now think, if we waste all of their gas then we will be the only ones left with it. You must say this is just common sence. Drill Baby Drill!!!
I half agree. We will eventually need to stop using as much oil, however there is no proof we will run out. Oil is made by pressure and there is proof out there that says that it does NOT take "Millions" of years to form. What we need to do is have the government back off of businesses. No more subsidies or paying for research. The free market if left free can solve it's own problems through competition. Once oil is not cost-effective some companies will start using or developing alternate energies. They will have to if they want to make money. If the government backs off competition will make businesses come up with new ideas to keep their customers and ultimately their money. When government subsidizes the companies realize they don't need new ideas because the government is paying them, just look at ethanol. It is Nowhere near cost effective, it is worse for your engine, and is raising corn prices and is currently the #1 destroyer of the rain forest. If it wasn't subsidized, which lets companies hide costs since you taxes are actually filling their pockets and not just what you pay at the pump, it probably wouldn't be so popular and the companies could put more time into making alternatives that actually work, instead of these ideas, like solar and wind energy, that don't always work. Some one also mentioned how Sweden uses hydro-power. That might work for their country since it has less people and is smaller, but America has too many people and is too big for it to be cost-effective.
Im totally down with converting our dependency on non-renewable resources to natural sources of energy. I dont know about you buy im tired of paying $3 plus for gas.
This is a very interesting argument. I agree that we should attempt these alternative ways of getting energy.
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