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Fossil fuel effects on the environment
Fossil fuel effects on the environment
Fossil fuel effects on the environment
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Our country is currently suffering energy-wise, we have been powering with inefficient sources for years now and the harm that it is doing to the country has started to become apparent. Renewable energy is the only way to stop, or at the very least set back the inevitable downfall of our ecosystem. I think that the next big breakthrough for renewable energy is implementing off-grid communities that use renewable sources as their main sources of power, so that we can potentially escape the energy rut that we got ourselves stuck in.
America is wasting their finite resource, such as coal and nuclear when we could actually be using renewable sources that will never run out. Most of our country’s citizens have never thought about where their
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
Electricity production accounts for more than one-third of U.S. global warming emissions, with the majority generated by coal-fired power plants... In contrast, most renewable energy sources produce little to no global warming emissions (“Benefits of Renewable Energy Use”). Coal mining and lumber harvesting would also be reduced by the switch, which in turn would improve the forest and ecosystem surrounding these power plants. Animals will also benefit from the change to clean energy. It is often reported that animals are constantly displaced and injured by the different forms of energy we are using currently. Andrew B. Gill preformed a study and wrote a journal article on the conservation of wildlife and their habitats; the results of his study were conclusive that something needs to be done to change the current state of our energy
America is threatened by the destruction of their own environment. United States is known for their innovation towards alternative energy like solar power, wind power and nuclear power. However , these alternative energies are not completely beneficial towards the United States.
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.
Not only is wind energy better than fossil fuel energy, it is also better than other new energy sources. “Wind costs are much more competitive with other generating technologies because there is no fuel to purchase and minimal operating expenses” (Wind Energy Basics 3). And as for the environmental concerns of bird population, the American Wind Energy Association said, “the modern wind turbine is far less harmful to birds than are radio towers, tall buildings, airplanes and vehicles and numerous other manmade objects. Bird deaths due to wind development will never be more than a very small fraction to those caused by other commonly accepted human activities” (Parks 58).
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.
When people hear the word “nuclear” immediately they think of the nuclear bomb. Why? Because that is the only thing world governments talk about, is how they tested such bombs and how powerful they are. But, those people may not think that some of the electronics they use at home are powered by nuclear energy. Many oppose the use of nuclear energy saying it is too harmful. On the other hand, I support nuclear energy and how useful it is to the planet.
Wind energy can play a critical role in saving our planet from the negative effects of energy powered by fossil fuels. Wind turbines work effectively at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. For instance, a single utility scale wind turbine can prevent the emission of 5,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere a year by displacing the power generated by fossil fuels. Also, a single 750-kilowatt turbine can produce roughly 2 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Turbines of this nature are the ones now being used in power plants around the world (Wind Energy Weekly). One good example is California. Their wind power plants displace 4.5 billion pounds of CO2 each year with the 3 billion kilowatt hours of energy they produce. To put it into an environmental perspective, that is as much CO2 as could be absorbed by a forest covering 1100 square miles (Wind Energy Weekly). Although wind energy has little to no impact on the environment when it comes to air pollution or greenhouse gases, there are other environmental concerns surrounding this form of energy production. Some of the concerns about wind energy include visual impacts, birds and other living resources, lightning and noise (Wind Energy Development).
There are plenty of things that might kill us nowadays. Among these are epidemics, wars, and maybe even the sun eventually swallowing up the planet. More prominently, we will be heavily damaged by carbon emissions from fossil fuels resulting in global warming.Obviously we need to solve this problem by moving to clean energy. The United States, along with many other countries around the world, are looking at nuclear energy as the possible solution. But, despite many advancements and benefits, the usage of nuclear energy still has the power and chance to devastate civilizations around the world, and may not even solve the prevailing issue of carbon emissions.
Purchasing a car is one of the hugest or biggest accomplishments that a person can achieve on their own. However, what happens when that purchase turns out to also be the worst decision that was ever made? The purchase was a success and a goal was achieved, but the moment the key is turned and the engine is started the contribution to environmental harm begins. As the car is driven, the gasoline fumes that are released from the car contribute to the other many factors and pollutants that damage the environment. Not only is the purchase now a contributor to the depletion of clean air, but it could also play a part in the depletion of someone’s health. For example, asthma or bronchitis could develop in an adult or child as a direct result of breathing in noxious automotive fumes. Depending on where one lives, there could be strict regulations on air pollution. One must be accountable for any and all contributions made to the demise of what was once a healthy Earth. One must be accountable for his or her own carbon footprint. Some individuals have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprints and cause less harm to the environment by purchasing electric cars.
I believe that if we focused more on the production of an effective renewable energy source instead of the continued use of oil and natural gasses we would be much better off in the long run. However, the debate of where we should focus our funding when it comes to energy is still mainly in the political stages. In fact, the issue of moving to renewable energy sources is a hot topic in politics right now, one example of this can be seen in the Senate Bill 350. Bills like this have been making their way up through the political system for a while now. Sadly, it is hard for bills that actual do anything to be passed through; so The Senate Bill 350 that was originally proposed did not make it through; however, an amended version which they called The Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act was approved on September 11,
As the world's population grows, and the already extensive use of technology in our daily lives expands and grows deeper ingrained into our lifestyles, many people overlook the shortcomings of this type of life style. What is powering iPods, computers, and televisions? Currently, the world releases over 26 billion tons of CO2 per year. Americans release about 20 tons of CO2 on a per capita basis annually; however poorer countries limit their annual per capita emissions to less than 1 ton. Many people fail to realize how much of a monetary burden cheap and clean energy would relieve for the poorest two billion people of this world. Some would argue it could in fact be the biggest fundamental change this world sees, when we have a viable solution. Almost everyone in rich countries overlooks the cost of electricity due to the small portion of our budget it accounts for [1]. Wind will need to be part of the clean energy equation. Using wind turbines alone could redu...
Since we are currently reliant on fossil fuels for 87% of our energy supply, it is important that more money is invested into research and development of new renewable resources. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable. They WILL run out! Failure to implement renewable and sustainable sources of energy could lead to a national crisis.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “Renewable energy — wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass — provides substantial benefits for our climate, our health, and our economy.” One major benefit is that there would be little to no global warming emissions. Currently, electricity production accounts for about one-third of the emissions put off by the United States, mostly due to coal-fired plants. Renewable energy sources would produce little to no emissions. “According to data aggregated by the International Panel on Climate Change, life-cycle global warming emissions associated with renewable energy—including manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance, and dismantling and decommissioning—are minimal” When comparing renewable sources to natural gas, which emits between 0.6 and 2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour (CO2E/kWh), renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro-electrical power emit somewhere between .07 and .5 (CO2E/kWh). It is obvious that renewable energy is the way to go in order to solve the energy production problem. (Benefits of Renewable Energy
Do you ever think about how our world might deplete our coal or oil resources? Fossil fuels, which are made of coal or natural gas, and oil have all supplied a majority of our energy. Fossil fuels burn carbon fuels such as; oil, coal, and gas to create steam to have large turbines generate electricity. Fossil fuels provided more than 80% of America’s energy in 2017. Those sources have been providing our country since the industrial revolution, but their production, limitation, and use have significant health and environmental impacts, environmental degradation, and global warming. Wind power in Illinois provided 5.7% of the state's electrical power in 2016. The issue I focused on resolving was finding renewable ways of generating
Ban-Ki-Moon release a resonate truth, “Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all” . One of the sole purposes for the Environment Protection Agencies is to give sufficient protection and stop the dangers in our environment such as water, air and wasteland. Over decals, we have heard some torrent reports on how the environmental problems in this nation has increased and has its negative effect has created endangerment to the humanity. The Flint Water Crisis, is a perfect example; and over 100,000 citizens were exposed to high levels of lead and today, many are dealing with some serious health
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.