Gasoline Engine Isn T Going Away Any Time Soon Summary
FORWARD ENERGY
Nina L. Nacinovich
Post University
Nationally, we are striving every day to make Americans less dependent on burning fossil fuels. The rise in gasoline prices, the controversies in the Middle East, the possible negative effects on our environment, and new plans to drill for oil along our country’s coastlines and uncharted territories have many people interested in exactly what can we do to bring break this addiction. In a recent article written by Rebecca Lefton, Researcher for Progressive Media and Daniel J. Weiss, Senior Director at the Center for American Progress, “The US is spending approximately a billion dollars a day overseas on oil instead of investing the funds at home, where our …show more content…
economy solely needs it.” (Lefton & Weiss, 2010) The oil epidemic not only costs money but it may pose a threat to our nation’s energy security. It is a risky move that we are still buying oil from countries that we have marked as having dangerous and unstable governments. It is also believed that the burning of fossil fuels, as it releases carbon into the atmosphere, contributes to the increase of the Earth’s temperature also known as global warming. In an ever changing world, we need to be kept informed on the issues, the potential alternatives and on the proposed solutions of going green.
Environmentally speaking, there are two men that have a plan. According to scientists, Robert H. Socolow and Stephen W. Pacala, we can make a difference by looking at massively scaled energy projects. These projects will reduce the planet-wide CO2 emissions in substantial ways. The gentlemen have conducted a comprehensive plan using seven wedges. A wedge can be defined as a specific area of modern day technology. Each wedge has its own activities and if implemented correctly, over the course of fifty years, could reduce carbon levels in our atmosphere by 25 billion tons. (Socolow & Pacala). Carbon being released into the atmosphere is a defining characteristic to global warming.
In 2006, an Independent Task Force for the Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that our government offer incentives and investments to those who seek a greater knowledge and the desire to make America less dependent on burning oil.
They also suggested that we look at alternative energy sources and explore the development of higher efficient vehicles. The automobile industry is currently looking for ways to contribute to the success of America’s vision and are introducing vehicles that draw their power from electricity rather than the traditional gasoline engine. “We are on the verge of an automotive revolution.” states author, William White in his article,” Why the Gasoline Engine Isn’t Going Away Any Time Soon.” (Behrens & Rosen, p534-535). Electric or hybrid cars are environmentally safer than the traditional engine however, the cost and repair of such vehicles are very high. Battery replacements for a hybrid vehicle can run a consumer thousands of dollars. The manufacturers are trying to combat this negative with longer extended warranties that include the vehicle’s battery. It is believed that the amount to time that these vehicles have been on the road is not enough time to determine the true value of them and that as time passes, this information will become apparent, or not. (Behrens & Rosen, 2013, pg.
534)
In the past few years, interest and development has taken place in alternative energy sources. These alternative sources do not release as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as does the burning of fossil fuels. (Behrens & Rosen, 2013). Wind and solar power continue to gain popularity in homes and businesses. The controversial, power source of nuclear power has been experimented with and found to be very efficient powering vessels, aircraft carriers and submarines. There are still other energy sources making their way into the game: coal, water, and natural gas, to name a few. These alternate energy sources are being considered for future use in our country. Experiments are being conducted with safety and efficiently in mind, while at the same time, trying to decrease America’s dependence on oil. (Lefton and Weiss, 2010)
As long as one understands the issues of being dependent on the burning of fossil fuels, both environmentally and politically, of being an oil dependent nation, they can make their own conclusions on what can or should be done. Americans can educate themselves on the alternate energy sources and keep up with the conversations. If we are given the facts and opportunity to learn about new and different energy sources, we can grow. We can learn, with time, what works and what doesn’t work and we can move forward in the most productive, energy efficient manner.
References:
Behrens, L. & Rosen, L. (2013) Writing and reading across the curriculum. (12th Ed.) Chapter 13, p478-547 Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
(2005, 05).Energy Saving, Back in Style. Studymode.com Retrieved January 28, 2014 from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Energy-Saving-Back-In-Style59256.html Lefton, R. & Weiss, D. (2010) Oil Dependence Is a Dangerous Habit, Retrieved January 27th from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report.html
Nina L. Nacinovich
Post University
Nationally, we are striving every day to make Americans less dependent on burning fossil fuels. The rise in gasoline prices, the controversies in the Middle East, the possible negative effects on our environment, and new plans to drill for oil along our country’s coastlines and uncharted territories have many people interested in exactly what can we do to bring break this addiction. In a recent article written by Rebecca Lefton, Researcher for Progressive Media and Daniel J. Weiss, Senior Director at the Center for American Progress, “The US is spending approximately a billion dollars a day overseas on oil instead of investing the funds at home, where our …show more content…
economy solely needs it.” (Lefton & Weiss, 2010) The oil epidemic not only costs money but it may pose a threat to our nation’s energy security. It is a risky move that we are still buying oil from countries that we have marked as having dangerous and unstable governments. It is also believed that the burning of fossil fuels, as it releases carbon into the atmosphere, contributes to the increase of the Earth’s temperature also known as global warming. In an ever changing world, we need to be kept informed on the issues, the potential alternatives and on the proposed solutions of going green.
Environmentally speaking, there are two men that have a plan. According to scientists, Robert H. Socolow and Stephen W. Pacala, we can make a difference by looking at massively scaled energy projects. These projects will reduce the planet-wide CO2 emissions in substantial ways. The gentlemen have conducted a comprehensive plan using seven wedges. A wedge can be defined as a specific area of modern day technology. Each wedge has its own activities and if implemented correctly, over the course of fifty years, could reduce carbon levels in our atmosphere by 25 billion tons. (Socolow & Pacala). Carbon being released into the atmosphere is a defining characteristic to global warming.
In 2006, an Independent Task Force for the Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that our government offer incentives and investments to those who seek a greater knowledge and the desire to make America less dependent on burning oil.
They also suggested that we look at alternative energy sources and explore the development of higher efficient vehicles. The automobile industry is currently looking for ways to contribute to the success of America’s vision and are introducing vehicles that draw their power from electricity rather than the traditional gasoline engine. “We are on the verge of an automotive revolution.” states author, William White in his article,” Why the Gasoline Engine Isn’t Going Away Any Time Soon.” (Behrens & Rosen, p534-535). Electric or hybrid cars are environmentally safer than the traditional engine however, the cost and repair of such vehicles are very high. Battery replacements for a hybrid vehicle can run a consumer thousands of dollars. The manufacturers are trying to combat this negative with longer extended warranties that include the vehicle’s battery. It is believed that the amount to time that these vehicles have been on the road is not enough time to determine the true value of them and that as time passes, this information will become apparent, or not. (Behrens & Rosen, 2013, pg.
534)
In the past few years, interest and development has taken place in alternative energy sources. These alternative sources do not release as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as does the burning of fossil fuels. (Behrens & Rosen, 2013). Wind and solar power continue to gain popularity in homes and businesses. The controversial, power source of nuclear power has been experimented with and found to be very efficient powering vessels, aircraft carriers and submarines. There are still other energy sources making their way into the game: coal, water, and natural gas, to name a few. These alternate energy sources are being considered for future use in our country. Experiments are being conducted with safety and efficiently in mind, while at the same time, trying to decrease America’s dependence on oil. (Lefton and Weiss, 2010)
As long as one understands the issues of being dependent on the burning of fossil fuels, both environmentally and politically, of being an oil dependent nation, they can make their own conclusions on what can or should be done. Americans can educate themselves on the alternate energy sources and keep up with the conversations. If we are given the facts and opportunity to learn about new and different energy sources, we can grow. We can learn, with time, what works and what doesn’t work and we can move forward in the most productive, energy efficient manner.
References:
Behrens, L. & Rosen, L. (2013) Writing and reading across the curriculum. (12th Ed.) Chapter 13, p478-547 Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
(2005, 05).Energy Saving, Back in Style. Studymode.com Retrieved January 28, 2014 from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Energy-Saving-Back-In-Style59256.html Lefton, R. & Weiss, D. (2010) Oil Dependence Is a Dangerous Habit, Retrieved January 27th from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report.html