According to EIA, “Renewable energy accounted for approximately ten percent of total U.S. consumption and thirteen percent of electricity generation in the year 2014.” These alternative energy sources include factors such as wind power, solar power, hydro power, geothermal power, and biomass. These alternative resources provide the Earth with power that is unlimited to the people, and after maintenance as well as building, is basically free. These alternative sources are cleaner for the earth, more cost effective for our economies, and they are not able to be depleted for they are non-renewable sources. We have all taken long car rides to our grandparent’s house or to visit a college campus many miles away, and throughout these rides a glass …show more content…
As technology is extended and brains are put together, the future slowly begins to shape itself. Generally in the world today, the renewable resources as well as the benefits they present have been tossed aside. This is due to the fact that in order to maintain and distribute these powerful sources, a large amount of money must be spent. The resources that are often used are easier to locate as well as acquire, whereas the renewable resources are often times located in areas that are not as easy to access. However, “The price of wind and solar power continues to plummet, and is now on par or cheaper than grid electricity in many areas of the world” (Randall). From this many demonstrate that the cleaner alternative could be the future for mankind. A recent survey was done, and out of 103 votes approximately 71% of the votes agreed that renewable resources were a cheaper alternative. At this moment approximately 97.5 quadrillion BTU’s or British thermal units, are consumed in the United States each year while only ten percent of this number consumed is a renewable resource (U.S. Energy Facts - Energy Explained, 3). This means that ninety percent of the United States energy bill is spent on non-renewable resources that will eventually become a back stabber. If the amount of money spent on these ever depleting resources could be centered upon making …show more content…
There are five main types of renewable energy: solar energy, wind power, geothermal, hydroelectric power, and biomass. Together these five renewable energy sources produce only about thirteen percent of all electricity in the United States. However, a little over one-hundred and fifty years ago almost ninety percent of all energy came from wood, a renewable resource (Renewable Energy Explained). These resources that could potentially save the world are a more desirable option because they cannot be depleted. Whereas the resources that are so heavily relied on become closer to extinction day in and day out. In the year 2013, approximately 477 quadrillion btu’s out of the 519 quadrillion btu’s produced were from non-renewable resources (U.S. Energy Facts - Energy Explained, 3). The society that forms the world takes into consideration that the non-renewable resources are limited. However, with unlimited resources among the horizon, they still choose to power the world with only eight percent of the unlimited resources. The non-renewable resources are being used at such a fast rate as well as so carelessly that in the near future they will become extinct. The reliable, safe energy that is laid out for the world to take needs to be taken. It is cleaner and more
With new diesel technology in today’s world, I think people should consider trying or using new diesel cars and trucks as well as the use of clean diesel.
Nuclear power has no place in having a safe, clean, sustainable future. Today, the manufacturing of nuclear power plants has become a critical topic throughout the world that many strongly believe should be stopped. Nuclear Power is not safe anywhere in the world nor is it environmentally friendly. Nuclear power plants are truly something that could cause mass destruction in the world and has the potential to wipe out a whole country with ease. Despite proponents’ that claim that nuclear power is safe, there is a history that proves otherwise and marks a number of disasters caused by nuclear power plants.
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that they should advocate the use of alternative power sources other than nuclear energy.
“Where does our power come from?”, when asked, many people would not know the answer to this question. Some might say wind, water, or solar, but the main provider of America’s power are coal plants and nuclear reactors running to keep the lights on. Unfortunately, there is no free energy, it comes with a cost to the environment and its inhabitants. So when the choice arises to change the way humanity looks at our consumption of power, why chose the way we do things. Because the time has come for us as a country and the world to make the switch from the old to the new. We need to switch to nuclear power instead of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Nuclear energy is a clean way to create electricity vesus other ways that produce the same amount
Alternative energy sources are renewable, and is most commonly referred to as free energy sources. There are many alternative energy sources such as hydro power, solar power, wind, biomass, and geothermal. Using alternative sources is more expensive in the long run, but it is the much safer option for our environment compared to fossil fuels. Although everything used is completely free, such as water and wind, the equipment used to generate these things are expensive. There are several pros and cons that come with the utilization of alternative energy sources.
In chapter thirteen of our book, Environment by Raven and Berg, it shows us just how important renewable energy sources are. Currently the United States of America thrives on the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power. The main problems with these types of fuel are that they are both limited and can be extremely harmful to our environment. They cause global warming, air pollution, acid rain, and oil spills (Environment), and not only that, but in the grand scheme of things, these sources really aren’t even that cheap of a fuel source. There are many alternatives to these all but outdated fuel sources.
Other natural renewable resources are available such as hydro, wind, geothermal, biomass and nuclear energy. Renewable energy is the key to improvising the way we create energy while minimizing damage to the earth. Through thorough research, science and engineering have created high tech technology that emits less Co2 by products in the air, which will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. With the addition of renewable resources, the world could benefit from the diversity of resources and not have to depend on oil and the market driven by its owners.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, over half of the oil used in the USA is imported. Most of this imported oil is located in the middle east and is controlled by OPEC members. Subsequent oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly—about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008—and each major shock was followed by a recession (Reduce). We may never be able to fully eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand (Reduce). One way we can reduce our reliance on oil is through investing in renewable energy. Solar power, wind power, and hydro power are all forms of energy which come from renewable resources. Unlike oil, solar, wind and hydro electric power is abundant and can be obtained locally.
In 2007, the world consumed 5.3 billion tons of coal, 31.1 billion tons of oil, 2.92 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, and 65,000 tons of uranium. All of these energy needs could have been met with only 6,600 tons of thorium, an abundant, slightly radioactive element found in the Earth’s crust.
I believe that if we don’t move toward limitless resource we will be trapped using oils and gases forever. "I'd put my money on sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait till oil and coal run out before we tackle that," by Thomas Edison. The journey to renewable resource will be a long one, but will only happen if everyone works together for the effort.
Instilling this new way of energy usage into off-grid communities will inevitably increase the state of living for those in cities and other well-populated areas. The change to renewable energy sources could drastically lower the pollutants currently being dispersed into the atmosphere by coal mines and other harmful power options, increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce U.S. global warming emissions. a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025—the equivalent of the annual output from 70 typical (600 MW) new coal plants (“Benefits of Renewable Energy Use”). Electricity production accounts for more than one-third of U.S. global warming emissions, with the majority generated by coal-fired power plants.
One alternative to solar energy is fossil fuels, which can cause a great amount of pollution, and will one day no longer be available to us. Scott Barber says in his article, “The exploitation and misuse of our natural resources is rapidly depleting our oil and natural gas” (2). This commodity is highly sought after, which has caused a lot of conflict all over the world. Most buildings in the United States have electricity and heat thanks to oil, and gas. “The United States, having consumed from 82% to 88% of its proved oil reserves (API 1999), now imports more than 60% of its oil at an annual cost of approximately $75 billion” according to an issue in the Oxford Journals (Pimentel 1110).
The world that we live into today affords us the expectation that the flip a switch will turn the lights on. As populations increase and developing nations undergo dramatic economic growth, this energy demand will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” (ElBaradei). Given this projected growth, it is necessary for world leaders must take action to secure the energy supply. Meaning that world leaders need to start seriously considering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. “In 2012, the United States generated about 4,054 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 68% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 37% attributed from coal” (U.S. Energy Information Administration). The fossil fuels that are used to supply over half of our country’s energy are in finite supply and are increasing in price to astronomical heights.
For years man has relied on energy in order to be successful in life. The industrial revolution relied on coal for the new inventions brought into the world. Life as has never been the same since then. However since that time, there has been little done to improve on energy efficiency and humans still primarily rely on fossil fuels for energy. For over a hundred years the Earth has become more polluted and dirtier than ever before. Now, with new, innovative technology there is an opportunity to change that and to rely on renewable, cleaner sources of energy. The main source of energy for the world should be alternative energy instead of energy from fossil fuels.
Using fossil fuels such as coal and oil is inefficient, dangerous, and otherwise a process that is known to eventually fail as a long lasting energy source. Yet, there is hope for the future of energy, this new hope has many shapes and forms, but requires a chance to be fully implemented in our everyday life. Such energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydro power are the key to our future. These energy sources are proven to be long lasting, safe, more reliable, and the next innovation. In short, all Americans should switch to renewable energy, resulting in a safer and more efficient world.