Non-Depletable Energy Resources

Non-Depletable Energy Resources

Today, much of the world’s energy comes from the processing of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, and coal. These fossil fuels, however, will not last forever. Fossil fuel supplies are slowly but surely dwindling in numbers and one day we will run out. We need to find different ways to generate energy. Another reason to find different ways to generate energy is that the burning and processing of fossil fuels emit NOx, SOx, CO2, and other particulate matter that is harmful to our environment and our health. Some may argue that nuclear energy power plants is the way that our society should generate energy, however, the nuclear waste it produces and the extreme dangers that exist if a plant were to blow up emitting radioactive material across a large span of area make me question its benefits. I think that society should turn to non-depletable resources such as solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy and hydroelectric energy for our energy needs.

Why turn to the non-depletable energy resources? The answer is simple. All of these energy resources depend on renewable resources to generate power. No matter what we will never run out of wind, sunlight, water, or the heat that is in the core of the earth. There is no need to worry about dwindling supplies. Also, people have been using non-depletable resources for years. Hydroelectricity dates back to the Greeks of the 1st BC who used hydroelectricity to grind wheat and flour. The Persians had there own form of a wind mill in 500- 900 AD. The Paleo- Indians of North America even used geysers which would later be used for geothermal energy as a spa like refuge. Although there are some social and environment...

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...Grand Vent is “that the combination of consistent offshore wind, modern turbine technology, and unused oil platforms can produce clean, inexpensive power for Louisiana.” (Source 2)

I am a person that is very concerned with the environment. I think that we should do whatever it takes to keep the world we live in safe and clean. We as a society need to study and fully develop these non-depletable resources. Their environmental and social implications are minor compared to the use of fossil fuels and to nuclear energy. The costs will be minimized once we fully develop them and put them into full use.

Works Cited

Class Notes

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/classactivities/energyarticles.html

http://www.solar4power.com/

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/reporting/human/energy/renewable.html