Decision Making Graph

Problem

Goals

Fossil Fuel combustion is increasing the

amount of CO2 released into the
atmosphere causing a global increase in
temperature. This global heating is
speeding the rate of climate change and
negatively impacting the environment.

Find alternative energy sources that are

equally or more effective than traditional
sources and cost effective.

Energy Source
Non-Renewable Energy:

Pros & Cons

+ Cheap, readily available

Oil

_ Limited supply, has been the cause of

wars, starvation, and political upheaval, as
supply decreases, price will increase,
causes pollution and ozone depletion

Renewable Energy:

+ Does not produce carbon, could provide

for 20% of worlds energy, less smog, less
acid rain, less greenhouse gas emissions,
affordable, will not be subject to price
shocks

Wind Power

_ Not cheaper than natural gas, wind is a

variable source, bird fatalities, requires
maintenance
Renewable Energy:
Solar

+ Non-polluting, no moveable parts that

can break down, no supervision, life of 2030 years with low running costs
_ Amount of sunlight and cost of
equipment

Renewable Energy
Geothermal

+ No combustion, utilizes heat energy from

the earth, can help produce comfortable
temperatures in buildings
_Possible to take more steam than
geothermal site can reproduce, good sites
are rare, requires large amounts of water
and produces toxic waste, technology is not
cost effective

Renewable Energy
Hydroelectric Power

+ No pollution, no waste, no worry of

unstable prices, transport issues, production
strikes, can respond quickly to demand,
efficient and inexpensive
_ Time consuming licensing restrictions (810 years vs. 18 months for gas powered
sources), debate for preserving rivers, dams
collect pollutants over time, dams disrupt
natural river functions, force people around
dam to relocate

Decisions

Reasons

Hydropower

My first choice is the use of hydropower. It

yields the most conservation in oil and coal
by 22 billion gallons of oil and 120 million
tons of coal each year. Though it is
controversial, there can be measures put in
place that reduce its affect on the people
and terrain in the impacted area. We need to
seek policy change to reduce license and
relicense time in order for this renewable
energy to thrive.

Wind
Solar

The next source to invest more into is wind

power. Wind power produces zero
emissions and is increasingly becoming
more reliable and inexpensive. If we
continue to enhance wind technology it can
be a very beneficial renewable energy
source.
The last energy source that I think is
important for our future is solar energy.
Over time solar energy pays for itself due
to low maintenance, no supervision, and
low running costs. If we can continue to
improve technology to make the initial
implementation of solar more affordable
we can utilize this source globally.