Energy Debate in the Us - 3476 Words

Nate Johnson Professor Alvarez ENG 300 15 July 2014 Rough Draft: In the United States, a topic for debate is the energy crisis. The issue is that the United States’ current, most widely used energy sources, fossil fuels, is harmful to the environment. So as to not harm the environment, many people have made the switch to solar or wind energy, thinking that as long as they don’t use fossil fuels they are doing the environment a favor. However, no matter the energy source for use on a large scale, it is going to have its own unique issues. There are a number of energy alternatives within the United States. The two sides to the argument are renewables, such as wind and solar energy (the two most popular) versus fossil fuels, such as†¦show more content†¦Solar panels are manufactured using NF3, or Nitrogen Triflouride, which is, according to UC Irvine researchers, â€Å"is one of the most potent greenhouse gases known and persists in the atmosphere for 550 years.† All this to say that just because solar panels may lo ok attractive, modern, and seem to have a small carbon â€Å"footprint,† it is not always the case. There is much more than what meets the eye; it comes with strings attached such as the loss of hundred of species of birds and insects as well as emitting a chemical that has 17,000 times stronger global warming potential than carbon dioxide. A major rift in the food chain as well as a much stronger chemical emitted into the air more problematic that dirty coal, because both create the ripple effect which creates problems down the line. Wind turbines are becoming more and more popular across the flatlands of America. Along the same lines as solar power plants in California, there are many issues with wind turbines. Wind turbines are massive towers with a swinging blade that can create wind of up to 100 miles per hour over an acre of air. Turbines require a massive amount of tree removal, roads to be resurfaced and sometimes rebuilt (to access the intended installation area), lots of heavy machinery, digging into bedrock so as to create a good foundation for the tower. It takes 15 to 20 turbines to make it efficient, so it makes allShow MoreRelatedThe Ongoing Energy Debate631 Words   |  3 PagesThe Ongoing Energy Debate As we all know, the energy debate has been ongoing for decades. There is a laundry list of opinions concerning energy use and production. When it comes to oil we are all too aware of the price and demand for what has proven to be the most valued resource on the planet. Advocates of alternate energies insist that the end of oil is nearer than most of us may think, while proponents of petroleum assure us that due to technological advancements there are still large untappedRead MoreConsequences of Global Climate Change1457 Words   |  6 Pages Background Energy researchers have developed a model called Hubberts Curve that seems to indicate that oil is running out. As oil recovery technology has been introduced, this curve has lengthened leading some to say that we can continue relying on resources of oil. However, the curve is still there and contraction in oil supply has an enormous effect on the way that America functions in many aspects of its life. There are two major dimensions to eh oil crisis. The first debate over whether thisRead MoreThe Quest For Progress Is The Center Of Every Great Civilization1725 Words   |  7 Pagescivilization. The history of mankind and the conquest of energy are inseparable. 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