Fossil fuels have served as a reliable source of heat for cooking and warmth since the beginning of history. Some of the common fossil fuels are coal, peat, lignite, petroleum, and natural gas. They are used extensively as illuminant and fuel. Gasoline, kerosene and fuel oil are made from petroleum. Also the combustion of these fuels releases various pollutants, such as monoxide and sulfur dioxide, which pose health risks and contribute to acid rains and global warming. As we all know crude oil is used mainly for transportation. 70% of US uses fossil fuels, but there are other alternatives people! By taking advantage of other sources for example the sun, wind, falling water, plant matter, and heat from our earth, we can help prevent some of these horrible things that have been effecting our environment. Energy planners expect a decrease in the environmental impact if we convert to these sources.
10 comments:
Ethanol is a bad idea and a non-solution. Here's a corny (sorry, bad pun) video that nevertheless illustrates the point very well. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q_BTRREsB8) I agree that wind and solar are good alternatives to explore and expand. (Although, here's an article about some of the rarely-mentioned detriments of wind power. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29616) I strongly disagree with taxes or caps on fossil fuels at this point. We won't be weaned off fossil fuels right away, and it's neither good economics nor common-sense to hurt those industries. We can improve alternative options without putting down fossil fuels, which we still need very much right now. Along those lines, I think we should drill offshore in the Gulf, off the East Coast, and in Alaska - although it seems the Democratic Congress is very opposed to these options. This way we could begin to be independent of foreign oil while we find ways to start becoming independent of oil in general. Finally, nuclear power should also figure prominently in our energy solution.
I agree with the whole wind and solar energy alternatives. It doesn't cause pollution; it would save a lot of money in the long run, and solar energy and wind energy (if at maximum energy usage)compared to electric energy has a very high peak in terms of actual amount of that can be used at a time. BUT I will say that they can't be the only alternatives made because, you know, some places have more sun, and some places have more wind, but overall lets get some solar and wind energy!
Pollution has caused the death of so many animals! Species have become extinct due to habitat loss. As humans, we can make choices that can save Earth for a long time. Start in your backyard, create environment for animals and plant trees for example.
I hope that our country can find ways to advance technology that will make solar energy a priority over the next ten years. It seems that we are on the cusp of being able to explore this option in depth as a viable means to reduce our reliance on fuels.
What seems to make the most sense is to focus on switching to alternative forms of energy asap AND to reduce consumption right away, in order to minimize our impact on the planet.
We've had the technology to wean off fossil fuels for decades. The issue has been what or who runs the joint, the greed of multinational corporations, various nation-states and governmental agencies, who all play a role in serving free-market economic agendas, without much concern for accumulative effects of pollution. We've come to understand that economic growth cannot be infinite or without consequence.
So, what can we do? We can try and reduce our individual ecological footprint by consuming and wasting less. Supporting the exploration and implementation of alternative energy sources by politically aligning ourselves with groups to pressure governments and corporations into making alternative, more efficient ways to heat, light, travel, produce, etc... Governments have had the power, but chose not to throw more money at research and development at alternative energy sources. They've also failed to offer substantial tax breaks to corporations and individuals for choosing greener alternatives, so as not to upset the apple cart.
The problems don't just stem from governments or pollution itself, but the choices each and every one of us make daily. While we still have to live with the inefficiency of the internal combustion engine, there's carpooling, walking, cycling, cutting out multiple trips... try and buy goods and services from vendors and producers as locally based as possible.
Anyway, my .02.
Good luck, Ekin.
Hope the USA gets on board with finding alternative fuel choices as soon as possible. Great ideas, Ekin.
Fossil fuels are a major source of power and widely used. They are not good for the environment because of their emissions. They are being used at an unsustainable rate. Thats why I agree that we need to explore and convert to these alternatives like wind and solar energy. These alternatives are everywhere, in essentially unlimited quantities. The fact is that we need to find a way to use them to our adavantage to better the economy. Unlike that from fossil fuels, energy from sunlight, wind, water, plants, etc does not create extra carbon dioxide, and does not add to global warming. Best of all, unlike fossil fuels, which will become scarce, these alternatives are renewable and will never run out. Now we just need to use our technology and advance to a new and better way.
the energy markets are faced with more challenges today than they did a decade ago. On the other hand, developed countries like the United States are steadily trying to transform their energy markets from fossil fuels to alternative fuels such as corn based bio-ethanol fuel.
Equally important, the agriculture industry of the United States alone grows and exports enough corn to produce tremendous amounts of ethanol that can significantly decrease the demand for fossil fuels in the American market and international consumers within the North American continent.
The Ethanol industry has a tremendous potential with transportation industry within the United States. However, it is far ethanol to come even close to as out pacing fossil fuels in the transportation industry due to its noneconomic cost compared to fossil fuels. On the other hand, the ethanol industry has to be considered one of the most potentially profitable industries of the future economic markets
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