Disley Perera
HUM/111
March 30th, 2013
Pamela Harris
Abstract
For my research on renewable energy and nonrenewable energy I gathered several pros and cons. I have described them, and the reasons as to why I believe both sources have important facts of why and why not we should continue the use of these. My thoughts on renewable energy of course is more determined for the fact that it is based of natural energy unlike nonrenewable that is based on fossil, coal, and chemicals that can eventually contribute to global warming in our world. Nonrenewable energy also provides us with benefits for one that is more economic rather than solar energy. On my essay I have also included other sources of ideas that has contribute to my thoughts and opinions on both energy sources and my own personal solution on how if we were to unite both renewable and nonrenewable together we might even find a greater and beneficial solution to this chaos.
Renewable Energy Vs. Non-Renewable
Based on my research on whether to oppose or promote “Renewable Energy”, it has been proven that renewable energy is beneficial not only to the environment but also to our health as well. Renewable energy consists of seven specific forms: bio-mass, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, ocean, solar, and wind energy. (Mingyuan, 03-J) These are all natural forms continually replenish from the earth and don’t affect our health and are an unlimited amount of source unlike from fossil-based energy that is finite.
Fossil-based energy does not only affect our health because of the carbon dioxide that is spread out to the atmosphere but also it affects our world and increases the chance of global warming. If this non-renewable energy was to become scarcer not only will we be in a severe drought concerning fuel and energy, but also will cause a huge amount of other issues for one the loss of employment since employees will not be able to get to their workplace since fuel won’t be available and chaos will be out of control. Reducing the amount of use of non-renewable energy will not only be beneficial concerning reducing the amount of fuel and coal consumed, but also it will improve our chances from world destructions. Stating the fact that non-renewable energy is highly needed to supply fuel for transportation and renewable energy will still need a reason amount of coal supply for electrical vehicles, this leads me to think that we may just need both resources in order to try to save our world and health.
Both non-renewable energy and renewable energy have pros and cons to think about and both can be beneficial or not. For one non-renewable energy is cheaper and has been around for years and proven to work in every way or form although it does affect us and our environment. While renewable energy would cost us an insanely amount of money toward generators and to set-up the production itself, but doesn’t guaranty us any positive outcome either of whether it would be reliable at all-time knowing that it’s based on our sun, winds, and waters. Non-renewable have little or no competition at all. For example: if you are driving a battery driven car your battery gets discharged then you won’t be able to charge it in the middle if the road rather it is easy to find a gas pumping station (Generate Green Energy, Jan ) .
In conclusion both these energy resources have their pros and cons and are both needed and could benefit if used together. If we were to use our non-renewable energy less and contribute more sources or renewable energy this will help us and our surrounding in a substantial amount of ways. Using less nonrenewable energy for our homes, businesses, and to produce electricity, and using more renewable energy to replace the non-renewable energy for the above mentioned will decrease the chances of running out of fossil supply. Reducing the amount of renewable energy expenses will also help the growth of these companies to expand and once these production plants are created they energy expense should also decrease helping our financial economy as well.
References
Generate Green Energy. (08-Nov-2012). Renewable & non-renewable resources. Retrieved from http://generategreenenergy.org/renewable-non-renewable-resources
Mingyuan, W. (03-Jun-2012). Government Incentives to Promote Renewable Energy in the United States. Retrieved from http://www.temple.edu/lawschool/iilpp/EnvironmentalArticles/Wang%20Mingyuan.pdf
References: Generate Green Energy. (08-Nov-2012). Renewable & non-renewable resources. Retrieved from http://generategreenenergy.org/renewable-non-renewable-resources Mingyuan, W. (03-Jun-2012). Government Incentives to Promote Renewable Energy in the United States. Retrieved from http://www.temple.edu/lawschool/iilpp/EnvironmentalArticles/Wang%20Mingyuan.pdf
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
As human beings, we need energy for just about all functions associated with the luxuries of our daily lives. We need energy to heat our homes, to fuel our cars, to watch television in addition to industrial and agricultural purposes. How often do we stop and think about where all this energy is coming from? Energy is formed and disbursed through an industrial process that is performed using a number of different sources. Although there are a number of different sources, there are only two types of energy, renewable and nonrenewable. Renewable energy sources are naturally replaced in time. Because of this factor, there is little concern with running out of these energy resources. On the other hand nonrenewable energy resources are quite the opposite. These resources have the potential to run out because they are not replaced naturally in short periods of time.…
- 1927 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Review two articles in the Opposing Viewpoints in Context database in the University Library. Read one for promoting renewable energy and one opposed to renewable energy. Write a 350- to 700-word essay in which you do the following:…
- 445 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
In order to understand how to conserve energy, there needs to be a definition of what non-renewable resources are. According to Ingrid Kelley, author of Energy in America: a Tour of Our Fossil Fuel Culture and Beyond, coal, oil, and natural gas are called fossil fuels because they were formed from layers of carbon-based organic matter that had been plants and simple marine creatures many millions of years ago (Kelly 14). While they were buried under sediment, these organic layers were concentrated by time, pressure, and terrain into various carbon deposits containing significant amounts of energy, which ancient swamps and forests soaked up from the sun (Kelley 14). This means that the energy that we use today for fuel and power to provide electricity for our homes and offices is a dying source. Fossil fuels take millions of years to be reproduced, and the way America burns through them, it would be impossible for them to be a consistent source of energy. From looking at the way energy consumption is at this point and time it does not seem to add…
- 2056 Words
- 9 Pages
Better Essays -
Every resident in this community is reliant on outside sources that use non-renewable resources for power and to clean our water. Every day the resources used are depleted and will eventually run out; in the meantime we set idly by and watch prices escalate. Fossil fuels emit many pollutants (EPA, 2008) into the air and encourage global warming. Those outside sources subject this community to rate increases and dependency on weather conditions. Renewable energy is found in many forms, generated by the earth. Effectively harnessing these energies will reduce gas emissions (EPA, 2008.)…
- 629 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Energy is an important part of our everyday lives. Energy can come in many different types, and forms it can be used for many different purposes. Energy has many different usages and can be converted from one form of usage to another form of usage depending on what the need is. One form of energy conversion is the use of food to supply people's bodies with energy. Another form of energy is how coal is converted into electricity. Fuel is another form of energy that can be used for many different usages as well. Fuel is used for much different reason such as allowing our cars to function and our lawnmowers to cut grass. There are many different reasons why people use energy in the many different ways that we use it. Even though people rely on energy usage, some of the forms of energy we use are very harmful to the environment and even dangerous to ourselves. The harmful and dangerous fuels that we use can be changed to alternative methods of energy usage. There are two different types of alternative energy, which is known as renewable energy. Renewable energy is very resourceful and is able to be used because it is all around us there will not be a shortage of material and it is safer on every living thing and being. Energy and fuel usage just like everything else in the world has its advantages and disadvantages about using it. We must collectivity figure out which source of energy is right for everyone but for now we will find out which is best to use in your…
- 273 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Over the years, there has been a huge debate whether using renewable energy is beneficial to our environment or not. The biggest source of our energy has been sourced by coal, oil and natural gasses. Some researchers believe that there are many benefits of using renewable energy and that we should be concerned with seeking environmentally friendly alternatives instead. Not only are these sources harmful, they will eventually deplete our natural resources. The goal is to find pollution-free renewable energy that can offer a better future.…
- 511 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Although fossil fuels provide an inexpensive form of energy, they have been shown to pollute ecosystems, endanger animals and humans, are not sustainable, and cannot provide nearly the amount of energy that can be obtained from renewable sources.…
- 2467 Words
- 10 Pages
Better Essays -
In regard to the issue of renewable energy and finding an alternative source of energy, the United States needs to consider this as an option. The dependence on foreign oil and other sources of fossil fuels could potentially be detrimental to the country and place the country in a dire situation as time goes by. The United States should consider other options for renewable energy sources to try and cut back on the dependence of other nation’s resources.…
- 614 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In his article ‘Fossils Fuels Improve The Planet’, Mr Alex Epstein’s main claim was that fossil fuels are not dirty energy as they have created clean, healthy and liveable human environment. He also concluded that unlike fossil fuels, solar and wind energy - dubbed as cleaner energy - are expensive, unreliable and not abundant. He began by arguing that fossil-fuels-powered technologies and facilities have enabled humans to live in the most clean, healthy and liveable condition in the history. Afterwards he claimed that the world needs a large amount of cheap and dependable energy so that every man could have a better living environment and live a more fulfilling life. Alas, according to him, now more green politicians adopt policies to replace fossil fuels with cleaner alternative energy: solar and wind. In contrast to the fossil fuels, he believed these sources of energy are unreliable, expensive and in small amount. Consequently, countries have to suffer the negative effects arising from the usage of these sources of energy. Mr Epstein wrapped up his article by arguing that it is invalid to label fossil fuels ‘dirty’ for the fact that it produces waste, because in reality all human and non-human activities produce waste. In my opinion, it is clear that in this article Mr Epstein had the purpose of advocating fossil fuels as a superior energy, compared to other alternative energy including solar and wind. Hence, more countries should adopt the use of fossil fuels in their energy policy.…
- 1254 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
With our ever expansive population, governments around the world seem to be in a last minute rush to become energy independent. I would also like you to think about your health and ensuring your children have a nice place to grow up. There are many types of alternative energy and I would like to share a few of them. Additionally, I will give you a brief synopsis of the benefits we can draw from using alternative resources.…
- 989 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Renewable energy is often not efficient and powerful enough compared to traditional power sources; the disadvantage present in energy systems such as solar and wind fail to win the energy revolution against the oil-based economy. The damage to the environment is a threat to life on Earth and we can no longer afford to be spectators. Given…
- 430 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Renewable sources of energy vary widely in their cost-effectiveness and in their availability across the United States. Their cost comes in collecting, harnessing, and transporting the energy so that it can do useful work. The price of electricity will increase witch will cause Citizens spend thousands on electricity because of the rising cost of oil. Also the oil supply is decreasing daily and evenly that source will be extinct so why not start with alternative sources. Some argue that alternative sources are too expensive but fail to realize that if he or she was to invest in an alternative source such as solar panels that they will acquire adequate lighting and a more healthful life. A benefit of solar power is possessing power during a category five storm verses expecting an outage. To help reduce pollution and to save energy a person should consider taking the necessary steps to purchase the material needed for a better life. To overcome hindering thoughts an individual should start to think critically about everything that they…
- 395 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
After reading about renewable energy not being beneficial for the environment, I see where my perceptual blocks and habits hindered my way of thinking. I automatically thought that renewable energy being beneficial for the environment was the right way to go because I thought it was green and it uses the earth’s natural sources to give us energy. I did not consider the viewpoints of these sources taking up too much land space and these sources being very costly compared to the land space used and the cost of running a nuclear powerplant. I have now changed my point of view.…
- 416 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
A major issue in today’s world is finding an alternative energy source. Fossil fuel has been used for a very long time because it is a cheaper way to produce energy. Fossil fuel is a problem because it is non-renewable, which means it will eventually run out and this has us looking for another alternative for energy. That is why some people turn to wind power but, its a debate whether wind power is a good or bad alternative. It is a possibility but there are some positive and negative outcomes that come with wind power.…
- 337 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Renewable energy is a debatable issue because on one hand, it could potentially reduce the need to Burn fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels for energy releases much of the harmful gases that exist today. Scientists estimate that about 35 percent of the greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, being released into the atmosphere are from the United States (Renewable Energy Is Beneficial for the Environment, May 2013). Less fossil fuels being burned the less threat pollution will have on the earth. However, the opposing side feels that in order for renewables to contribute meaningfully to energy production, they would use up vast amounts of land and cause serious environmental damage (Ausubel, Jesse H. Renewable Energy Is Not Beneficial for the Environment, May 2013). I thought I was for the renewable side 100 percent. The reason why I was for it is, it would be healthier for not only humanity but for animals as well. After reading the opposing side I am now split because of how much sense they make. I would have to do more research to actually find the better of the two. The reason I am even debating on wanting the opposing side is because of how much room we would take up building windmills, solar stations, and dams for hydro power. I do feel that solar energy would be the best way just hook up panels to every homes roofs with a battery that can hold a decent charge until the sun come back up to charge them.…
- 689 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays