Environmental Science
Matthew Lowerre
Professor Andy Wilson
Environmental Issues 121
17 November 2013
The Future of the US Energy Policy The future of the US energy policy must be different than our current system in place. The way the US funds energy sources and uses its energy will lead to drastic consequences in the environment and the way future generations live. Climatologists and environmentalists have warned society that the earth is warning for quite some time. They’ve emphasized the need to steer away from fossil fuels and develop alternative ways of energy. These environmental experts predict that if heavy changes aren’t made, the Earth’s average temperature may rise 2 degrees Celsius by 2030 (Kuo, 2011). Our country’s energy system has improved since the 1970s, but still relies on oil, coal, and natural gas (Fri, 2013). Increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases at such a high rate are enough incentive to switch energy sources. The US energy policy is currently not suitable to sustain a practical future. There are other, better methods of obtaining energy. The US must execute a plan to make a transition for a cleaner energy policy. The Earth’s climate is changing primarily because of human activities (Sims, 2004). The US, being a heavily populated and industrialized country, is a large factor in the recent climate change. The consequences of these changes are numerous and extremely consequential. Changes in the environment already present include carbon dioxide levels rising 31 percent in the past 200 years (Sims, 2004). El-Nino events and instances of flooding from high precipitation have become more frequent and persistent (Sims, 2004). If the current methods remain in use for much longer, the impact on the environment will be affected more dramatically than most people realize. According to climate models, worldwide increase in maximum temperatures and minimum temperatures will be experienced. This temperature increase will result in higher death
Professor Andy Wilson
Environmental Issues 121
17 November 2013
The Future of the US Energy Policy The future of the US energy policy must be different than our current system in place. The way the US funds energy sources and uses its energy will lead to drastic consequences in the environment and the way future generations live. Climatologists and environmentalists have warned society that the earth is warning for quite some time. They’ve emphasized the need to steer away from fossil fuels and develop alternative ways of energy. These environmental experts predict that if heavy changes aren’t made, the Earth’s average temperature may rise 2 degrees Celsius by 2030 (Kuo, 2011). Our country’s energy system has improved since the 1970s, but still relies on oil, coal, and natural gas (Fri, 2013). Increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases at such a high rate are enough incentive to switch energy sources. The US energy policy is currently not suitable to sustain a practical future. There are other, better methods of obtaining energy. The US must execute a plan to make a transition for a cleaner energy policy. The Earth’s climate is changing primarily because of human activities (Sims, 2004). The US, being a heavily populated and industrialized country, is a large factor in the recent climate change. The consequences of these changes are numerous and extremely consequential. Changes in the environment already present include carbon dioxide levels rising 31 percent in the past 200 years (Sims, 2004). El-Nino events and instances of flooding from high precipitation have become more frequent and persistent (Sims, 2004). If the current methods remain in use for much longer, the impact on the environment will be affected more dramatically than most people realize. According to climate models, worldwide increase in maximum temperatures and minimum temperatures will be experienced. This temperature increase will result in higher death
References: Clarke II, W. W. (2003). Debate on key issues in US energy policy: Point: Simple solutions to complex problems require creative approaches Fri, R. W. (2013). The Alternative Energy Future: The Scope of the Transition. Daedalus, 142(1), 5. Hedberg, D., Kullander, S., & Frank, H. (2010). The World Needs a New Energy Paradigm R.E.H., S. (n.d). Renewable energy: a response to climate change. Solar Energy, 76(Solar World Congress 2001), 9-17 Worrell, E., Price, L., & Ruth, M. (2001). POLICY MODELING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT IN US INDUSTRY