Alternative Energy: The Source of the Future
Alternative Energy: The Source of the Future
Danielle Hansen
ENG 122 English Composition II
Instructor: Jessica Ruddick
October 4, 2010
This topic of this research paper is to discuss why we need to switch to alternative energy sources. Alternative energy sources are readily available, environmentally friendly, and cost effective. Unlike fossil fuels, there is an unlimited amount of resources, and a lot less pollution. Energy demands of our population are steadily rising. In the 1960’s energy consumption had increased 51 percent, compared to 36 percent in the 1950’s (Hakes, pg 17). The reason for this is the needs and desires to have bigger cars, houses, longer commutes, and more traveling. The needs and desires of our population are still rising. The United States is one of the top consumers in the world, when it comes to the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are used to power vehicles, cool and heat homes, and to generate electricity. Fossil fuels are naturally formed from dead plants and animals over millions and millions of years. Oil, natural gas, and coal are examples of fossil fuels. The world is aware that the burning of fossil fuels is the biggest source of carbon dioxide emissions and the leading contributor to green house gases and to global warming, which is the rise of the Earth’s surface temperature; which has increased 1.4 degrees F since the 1800’s. (World Book at NASA, para. 1). A large amount of carbon dioxide occurs when you burn fossil fuels and this is becoming a major concern for the world’s environment. Carbon dioxide emissions are not the only threat to our environment. Oil is another major issue. Oils spills are extremely hazardous to our environment, our wildlife, and our own health.
“On March 24, 1989 the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling an estimated 11 million gallons of crude oil across 1,300 miles of coastline - a
Danielle Hansen
ENG 122 English Composition II
Instructor: Jessica Ruddick
October 4, 2010
This topic of this research paper is to discuss why we need to switch to alternative energy sources. Alternative energy sources are readily available, environmentally friendly, and cost effective. Unlike fossil fuels, there is an unlimited amount of resources, and a lot less pollution. Energy demands of our population are steadily rising. In the 1960’s energy consumption had increased 51 percent, compared to 36 percent in the 1950’s (Hakes, pg 17). The reason for this is the needs and desires to have bigger cars, houses, longer commutes, and more traveling. The needs and desires of our population are still rising. The United States is one of the top consumers in the world, when it comes to the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are used to power vehicles, cool and heat homes, and to generate electricity. Fossil fuels are naturally formed from dead plants and animals over millions and millions of years. Oil, natural gas, and coal are examples of fossil fuels. The world is aware that the burning of fossil fuels is the biggest source of carbon dioxide emissions and the leading contributor to green house gases and to global warming, which is the rise of the Earth’s surface temperature; which has increased 1.4 degrees F since the 1800’s. (World Book at NASA, para. 1). A large amount of carbon dioxide occurs when you burn fossil fuels and this is becoming a major concern for the world’s environment. Carbon dioxide emissions are not the only threat to our environment. Oil is another major issue. Oils spills are extremely hazardous to our environment, our wildlife, and our own health.
“On March 24, 1989 the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling an estimated 11 million gallons of crude oil across 1,300 miles of coastline - a
References: DSIRE Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency [ Solar Power Incentives broken down by state]. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2010, from North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), primarily through the Office of Planning, Budget and Analysis (PBA). The site is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which is operated for DOE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. website: http://dsireusa.org/ Facts about Solar Energy systems. (n.d.). Discover the true Facts about Solar Energy. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from http://www.facts-about-solar-energy.com/facts-about-solar-energy.html Hakes, J. (2008). Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment . Retrieved from ebrary database. Multimedia. (n.d.). Global Warming (world book at nasa). Retrieved September 21, 2010, from NASA Official:Brian Dunbar website: http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/global_warming_worldbook.html Office of Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS) Damage Assessment and Restoration. (n.d.). NOAA Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Regional Office. Retrieved from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. website: http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/index.cfm Solar energy. (2010, February 19). U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved September 19, 2010, from U.S. Department of Energy website: http://www.eia.doe.gov