The Pros And Cons Of Alternative Energy

333745 Alternative Energy

“If we put all our energy and resources into continued fossil fuel extraction, we will have lost an opportunity to have invested in renewable energy.” ( David Suzuki )

The past few decades, alternative energy has increasingly replaced the utilization of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are composed from decayed plants and animals that are converted to crude oil, coal, and natural gas. As a source of energy fossil fuels are finite and have many negative side-effects, some of which include: incremented levels of carbon dioxide, output of toxic substances, heat-trapping gases that cause global warming, and by-products that pollute water-supply.

Controversy exists over the best alternative to fossil fuels. However,

It produces virtually no air pollutants or by-products. According to Lisa Daniels, an American television correspondent for NBC News, “ Turbines produce no particulate emissions that contribute to mercury contamination in our lakes and streams. The sources of most of our power, coal and natural gas, produce large quantities of greenhouse gases. Wind power produces none ” (1). Some people argue that wind power engenders emissions during the construction phase. However, these emissions are so minimal that they would be offset after a short amount of time by the use of

Contrary to this notion, however, turbines are mostly built in a large open land with little human activity. For example, the third largest wind farm in the world - Roscoe Wind Farm- is located on farmland 45 miles southwest of Abilene Texas. This means that most wind farms cause virtually no disturbances to humans from both the transportation and construction. In addition, even if the construction of the turbines causes a disturbance, the benefits of the energy source itself would outweigh this minor inconvenience.

Furthermore, wind energy is cost-effective. According to Energy.gov, a website devoted to all rules, regulations, and news about energy, “ Wind energy is one of the lowest-priced renewable energy technologies available today, costing between four and five cents per kilowatt-hour, depending upon the wind resource and the particular project’s financing ” (2). Moreover, wind provides the blades with the energy to spin. There is no need for any alternative power supply to power any part of the wind turbine