NT1310 Unit 7: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution

1. Greatly increased production of domestic oil and natural gas in the United States over the next two decades will affect the country’s future use of coal, nuclear power, and energy from the sun and wind because we will have to start using different forms of energy other than natural gas and oil. We are constantly using natural gas and oil because the demand is growing. As the demand grows, so does the use of these energy forms. Also, our environment is being degraded by this constant use of natural gas and oil. The process of getting these energy forms in our hands is polluting our waters because to extract it, you need water. However, polluted wastewater is created as a result. During the next 20 years, I believe that we will still have

Governments should give a high priority to net energy yields when deciding what energy resources to support because when the net energy yield is low, more time and money will need to be used for the resource. Valuable money will be wasted when energy resources have low yields. There are negative consequences to our environment that need to be considered as other factors and this is why the government needs to think logically when choosing energy resources to use. They have to keep in mind that any resource they choose could have the potential to degrade the environment. If they take risks, they need to realize that environment is going to feel the damage. The resources that harm the environment in any way should not be chosen for

I disagree with increasing dependence on coal because if the use of coal becomes greater, more carbon dioxide will be present in the air we breathe. This can be detrimental to human health.

d. I agree with the idea to phase out the use of coal by 2050. We need to be focused on using other energy resources that do not harm the environment. We need to stop constantly relying on coal.

e. I disagree with increasing dependence of nuclear power because getting rid of nuclear wastes is extremely difficult and has the potential to harm our environment as well.

f. I agree with the idea to phase out all nuclear power plants because it will be more efficient to use different kinds of resources. Relying on solar energy could be a better option in order to preserve our environment.

7. a. I agree with the proposal to provide a new round of large government subsidies and loan guarantees in order to reduce the dependence on imported oil and slow down projected climate change because we need to start using less oil overall and climate change is a serious issue occurring in our environment that needs to be stopped. This proposal will help with both of those