In recent years the research of scientists has come to public attention and it is a widely accepted fact that the Earth is warming up. What has caused this change in the Earth is still up for debate and a controversial issue. One side is that humans are causing the warming by burning fossil fuels. Staying on that topic, fossil fuels are limited in quantity, and some scientists speculate that we may run out sooner than we are ready for. This is where sustainable energy systems come into play. When using sustainable energy systems such as hydro electric, wind, or cruder methods such as waste incineration, burning of fossil fuels will decrease. With this decrease, or at least slowdown, of fossil fuels we will be able to reduce or maintain green house gas emissions as not to influence the warming of the globe more than we already do. And obviously we will be able to conserve our fossil fuels so that we do not run out while we are still dependent on them. One of the big factors discussed when talking about green house gas emissions is the automobile, however a less looked at factor is electricity generation. Car manufacturers are stuck in their ways, and slow to change how they do business. On the other hand, electrical companies seem to be much more flexible when it comes to making changes and expanding to use resources other than fossil fuels. In many cases, power companies are able to easily integrate renewable or sustainable sources into their power grids, power sources that do not take more from the earth than they give. If power companies were able to use more sustainable sources, it would benefit themselves, the consumers, and the environment. The price of sustainable power does not fluctuate like the price of coal or natural ... ... middle of paper ... ...ergy, and a cleaner planet. Works Cited Erdogdu, Erkan. " Turkish support to Kyoto Protocol: A reality or just an illusion." Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. 14.3 (2010): 1111-1117. Print. Gebremedhin, Alemayehu. "Sustainable energy system – A case study from Chile." Renewable Energy: An International Journal. 34.5 (2009): 1241-1244. Print. Uddin, Sk Noim. "Towards a sustainable energy future—exploring current barriers and potential solutions in Thailand ." Environment, Development and Sustainability. 12.1 (2008): 63-87. Print. "Turkey. Report of the in-depth review of the first national communication of Turkey." United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change . UNFCCC, 03 Dec 2009. Web. 5 Mar 2010. /advanced_search/items/3594.php?rec=j&priref=600005648>.
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
From the home to factories, families and industries are reliant on the use of nonrenewable fossil fuels to feed the needs of the everyday human. Fossil fuels are the main source of energy over clean, renewable sources such as the use of wind, solar energy, and water to power our homes, schools, and industries. In fact, about 85% of energy use comes from fossils fuels. The main reason being that using fossil fuels is cheaper than wind and solar energy. “For nearly two centuries, fossil fuels have been the cheapest source of energy” and widely abundant (Marburger, A global framework: international aspects of climate change). However, overtime fossil fuels will disappear due to the lack of time to replenish itself with the human races rapid use of it. Despite its current status of availability, there are many controversial issue in using fossil fuels; the most prominent issue being that it is the cause of rapid climate
According to Jason, “costs would fall if people adopt new energy-efficient technologies without a price hike in energy” (Shogren, 2004). A study done by Jaffe and his colleagues concluded that 20-25% of existing carbon emissions can be eliminated if people switched to fluorescent light bulbs, improved thermal insulation, more efficient heating and cooling systems (Jaffe, Newell, & Stavins, 2003). It all comes down to the consumers. Some of the energy efficient technologies are readily available but are still expensive. The driving force to efficient-energy technology depends on the changes of relative price. People will not want spend money on newer appliances especially if the prices are high, and if their current one still functions.
Electricity production causes approximately 67 percent of 2014 greenhouse emissions, transportation contributes about 26 percent, industry is responsible for about 21 percent, commercial and residential generates about 12 percent, agriculture produces 9 percent, and land use and forestry yielded 11 percent. (EPA Environmental Protection Agency,
...dition, fossil fuels not only unleash carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but also is harmful to human when exposed for a long period of time, new energy resources would be needed to replace it such as, wind turbans, biomass energy, wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric energy (Alternative Energy).
Energy is the basic necessity of daily life. Nowadays, dependence on fossil fuels for energy needs becoming lower in numerous countries due to the potential of renewable energy to supply sustainable energy to the huge populations in many developing countries who are short of clean and continues energy. Generally, renewable energy can be defined as energy that is derived from natural resources which are constantly replenished and theoretically inexhaustible. Fossil fuels on the other hand can be described as energy that cannot be renewed and will eventually diminish. Thus, in many developing countries renewable energy is the alternative energy to replace non-renewable energy or commonly known as fossil fuels. In addition, according to Sorensen (2004), there is a greater demand for renewable energy sources nowadays due to the uncertainty of fuel price rise in living expenses. Commonly, there are many types of renewable energy available in our world such as wind power, biomass energy, solar energy, hydroelectric power and geothermal energy. However, the main three example of renewable energy are hydroelectric power, solar and biomass energy (Refer to Figure 1 in Appendix 1).
In addition to the fact that solar, wind, and hydro power are local resources, they are also emission free resources. Emissions and pollution are a key concern with traditional power sources. The coal-fired plants that dominate U.S. energy production also produce more emissions than any other energy source. “Em...
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.
Energy is a daily necessity we take advantage of without fully understanding the consequences of creating it. The electrical energy that we use as consumers comes from power plants that then convert other types of energy to electricity. The most common way this is done is from burning fossil fuels. The only benefits to this method is the low cost and the growing demand for oil, natural gas heating, and other products refined from fossil fuels. The repercussions of this cheap practice is the environmental and physical harm caused by the fumes and other byproducts of using fossil fuels. One main set back of this method is that people may not continue using it forever. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources that have come from millions or years
Environmentally Friendly Electric vehicles are today’s zero-emission vehicles. They have no tailpipes and emit no pollutants. Instead of gasoline from oil refineries, electric vehicles get their “fuel” from electric power stations. Although power plants using fossil fuels do have emissions, power plant emissions generated for electric vehicle use are typically much lower than emissions from the comparable use of gasoline-powered cars. For power plants using renewable energy sources like wind, solar and hydropower, no air pollution is created.
There are many different sources of energy that are naturally available throughout the world in different forms. There are two types of energy: renewable and non-renewable. Non-renewable is made from fossil fuels; which can include oil, coal and wood. They are non-renewable because they are not regenerated immediately, and it can take between 100-100,000 years to make a fossil fuel. They are important because they produce constant energy throughout the world. This is because of their high availability. The problem with non-renewable energy is that, when burned, they release harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Especially when the world, as a whole, is using too much too quickly; and therefore the earth cannot replenish the fuels naturally or quickly enough. Renewable sources of energy are obtained from different natural sources. A benefit about this kind of energy is that it can be replaced and it is sustainable. Renewable energy is important because it is used significantly in electricity generation and heating. It is also important because it can be replenished, and therefore it is better for the environment.
There needs to be a reduction if not extinction with the increasing amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), per-fluorocarbons (PFCs) and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere because it is directly affecting global warming. The combustion of fossil fuels and greenhouse emissions mainly contribute to the increase of these gases. The longer we go without solving this global problem the more conflicts we will have in the future. Although global warming does make the earth warmer there is more to worry about than heating to death. Major concerns revolve around effects on agriculture, water resources, ocean level and coastal regions, and disease. Many scientists and experimenters still disagree with global warming using excuses such as ‘primitive’ climate models, which predict global warming trends, can not accurately simulate the Earth; it is too difficult because there are thousands of variables to consider. With the issue of global warming alternative sources of energy are looked for. “Data indicates that hydrogen is [the] only suitable future fuel.” (Williams, 102). Many scientists agree, but how long will it take for us to get there?
The problems associated with climate change are mainly due to the combustion of fossil fuels. It is difficult however to stop this problem. The solutions of being more energy efficient, and improving emissions-control technology, can help lessen the environmental damage done by fossil fuel use they ultimately only alleviate the pressure of increase of pollution and affluence(Delucchi, Jacobson 31).
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.
Global warming is an extremely important and troubling aspect of the world’s current situation. This is due to the fact that the majority of the world’s energy production is from non-renewable energy sources, which are energy sources that either can not be naturally replenished or require thousands of years to be restored. Based on our current energy usage growth rates, there are an estimated 100 years left before our natural resource reserves are exhausted. (Non Renewable Natural Resources: How Much Is Left, Environmental Thinker) China alone consumes nearly as much coal as the combined usage of coal from the rest of the world. (US Energy Information Administration, China Consumes Nearly as Much Coal as the Rest of the World Combined) There is visible evidence of this happening with the increasing pollution levels. Carbon Dioxide and Methane pollution levels in the world reached a record high in 2012 and are 260% higher than the pre-industrial levels. (UN: CO2 Pollution Levels at a Record High, John Heilprin) Converting our world into a more renewable energy dependent society is the most advantageous and likely method for preserving our dwindling fossil fuel supply while also protecting the world that we call home.