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Alternative Energy Sources

Colton James Eisenreich

26 March 2018

English12: British Literature

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Introduction to Alternative Energy Sources

It is inevitable; our fossil fuel supply is running out. The rate at which fossil fuels are

created is upwards of hundreds of thousands of years with just the right conditions. The rate at

which we are using these fossil fuels is much higher. "In 2016, the United States consumed a

total of 7.21 billion barrels of petroleum products, an average of about 19.69 million barrels per

day"(www.eia.gov). This is just the consumption of the U.S.; the combined usage of the world is

a lot higher. With an estimated amount of 2.2 trillion gallons of oil left in reserves we could run

out within the next 100 years. Some estimate that we may run out as soon as 55 years.

Petroleum produces 35% of the U.S.'s energy and coal, another fossil fuel, makes up

30%(www.eia.gov) which we are projected to run out. Also burning all of these fuels produces

some nasty byproducts which have a large effect on the environment. In solution to this problem

we look to alternative energy sources. As of 2016 alternative energy sources make up 25% of

the U.S.'s energy (www.eia.gov). There are many forms of alternative energy, ranging from

nuclear energy to wind and solar. They are generalized into two categories: renewables and

nuclear.

Renewable energy sources are self-explanatory; they are energy sources that are easily

available and renew themselves. These include solar, wind, and water which are among the more

popular renewable sources of energy. These energies harvest the power that is readily available,

such as solar. Solar power takes sunlight and converts it into electrical energy through solar

panels. The sun is out for a large portion of the day, which means you can be making power for

all of that time. Wind and water have even more of an appeal due to their 24/7 operation,

operating on the forces of gravity and the natural forces of winds.

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Nuclear energy is harvested from Nuclear fission or Nuclear fusion. "Fission, splitting

into two fragments that fly apart, releasing large amounts of energy"(Al-Khalili pg. 193). The

energy produced from this reaction is harvested through steam generation. The radioactive

substance is surrounded by water so that when the energy is released it is absorbed by the water

thus heating it and creating steam. This steam is then turned into electrical energy. Nuclear

Fusion has not yet been utilized for producing energy. Scientists are still researching how this

process happens, how force it, and to then harvest its energy.

Argument for Alternative Energy Sources

Alternative energy brings a solution to two main problems: the decreasing amount of

available fossil fuel reserves and the negative effects of other energy sources on the environment.

Alternative energy creates less opportunities for fossil fuels and the advantages to using

them outshine the use of fossil fuels. The decreased use of these fossil fuel products would slow

us from using up the already limited fossil fuel reserves. Thus, we would have more of this oil

left to use for special circumstances for many more years to come. Some fossil fuel resources are

necessary for most machines and technology such as petroleum to make oil for lubrication.

With this decreased use of fossil fuels come the decreased negative effects of these fossil

fuels on the environment. Fossil fuels used to create energy make up 29% of the U.S.'s

greenhouse gas production(www.eia.gov). Greenhouse gasses have a large impact on the global

environment. “When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected

back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases”

(www.environment.gov.au). When fossil fuels burn they create more of these gases. The more
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gases that build up in the atmosphere, the more heat that is reflected back, thus warming up the

earth.

Furthermore, not only do alternative energies provide a solution, they also put the country

that produces them at an economic advantage. Alternative energy technologies are not widely

produced, thus if a company were to produce them and trade them globally, they would almost

have a monopoly. It would bring that company and their country economic growth and put them

at a higher advantage to other countries.

Counter Argument for Alternative Energy Sources

Though there is evidence for global warming and the limited fossil fuel resources, there is

evidence against each topic as well.

The argument against global warming is that the earth is on a constant cycling pattern. If

we look back at the history of the earth and its average temperature levels, we see normal rises

and falls in the temperature. Moreover, if the look at it as a whole it rises and falls in a cyclical

way and we are just on the rising end of this cycle.

There is also evidence that disproves that we are going to run out of fossil fuels. If you

take a different approach to the numbers, the aforementioned predictions are somewhat

pessimistic. The predictions showed a lower rate of creation of these fossil fuels then what may

realistically be produced.

Additionally, petroleum plays a pivotal role in our society today. Our main use of fossil

fuel is for gasoline to power our cars. Cars are used every day by everyone, and they get us

everywhere. With the usefulness and efficiency of gasoline it would take forever to switch. There
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is also a lot of efficiency of gasoline that cannot be recreated by alternative energy sources, or at

least cannot be obtained with our current technology.

Catholic Church's Stance on Alternative Energy Sources

The catholic church takes the stance takes the stance for alternative energy. As a catholic

your job is the care and stewardship of creation. Thus, the church wants us to protect the earth

and all that lives on it. Alternative energy sources help us towards this goal of protecting

creation. They pull us from burning harmful fossil fuels that have largely negative effects on the

environment. In turn the catholic church takes the stance of pro alternative energy to achieve the

goal of caring for creation.

My Standings on Alternative Energy Sources

I take the stance of pro alternative energy sources. I find that the befits to alternative

energy sources outshine the befits to using fossil fuel energy. Alternative energy has less of a

footprint on the environment. I feel that these effects are much better for our environment than

those from fossil fuels. I think that we should protect our environment to ensure the success

longevity, and health of our future generations and the health of our environment. The more we

affect what is around us the more it starts to take an effect on us.

In addition, I believe that it is better to use more renewable sources rather than those that

may eventually run out. Even if we may not run out oil or other fossil fuels soon we may run out

eventually and we need to prolong our reserves as long as possible.

Conclusion to Alternative Energy Sources

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Alternative energy sources provide an excellent substitute to fossil fuels. They provide a

more positive effect on the environment and leave behind a very little footprint. Is perfect due to

its ability to adapt to any situation and harvests its energy from naturally occurring renewable

sources. Alternative energy is the future of our energy production and will further us towards a

cleaner future.