Beyond Silliness !
Are we being logical about Global Warming ? Probably not, since we now call it climate change. It might be a little ridiculous to think that man caused climate change to happen. Sure, we are a contributing factor, but we all know that the earth undergoes sometimes drastic climate changes-naturally! Mother Nature has never needed any help in that area. Even if we would have heeded the warnings 30 plus years ago, after the “gas crisis,” -much of what is happening now, would still be happening. We have no control over it. But, we probably have contributed to our crisis by not practicing good conservation.
So, what makes us think that we can change our habits and replace our energy demands with alternative sources, in just ten years? Today, here in the United States, only 7% of our energy comes from alternative sources. Hydroelectric power comprises 36% of our total alternative energy usage. Another 5% comes from the use of wind energy. These two sources cannot be tapped into much further, without studies of the damage it causes to already fragile ecosystems. Fish and wildlife suffer as a paradox of our need for alternative energy sources. It seems the only time we hear about these unfair tradeoffs, is when people protest (NIMBY) not in my back yard, when it is time to build dams and install wind turbines into already settled communities.
Today, over half of our alternative energy is in the form of biofuels. Sources such as switchgrass (it needs an enzyme to break it down) and ethanol (corn based) are our hope for renewable energy. Geothermal and solar power (through photovoltaic cells) offer another 6% of our current alternative energy usage. While these sources are promising, they supply a very minor amount of our total annual energy needs.
Will we meet the goal in ten years? Probably not, but we have to start somewhere. It is estimated that it will cost upwards of $2.5 trillion to achieve approximately half of our home based energy needs through alternative energy sources. Some feel that the environmental impact of biofuels is worse than that of petroleum souces. Sure, more information is needed in these areas, but we can’t stop progress. We must move forward. We should make more use of resources that we already have here at home. More use of nuclear energy, natural gas, and ways to safely make use of hydrogen should be looked at more closely.
Tags: alternative energy sources, alternatives, annual energy, back yard, biofuels, Climate Change, crisis, dams, Energy, energy demands, energy usage, ethanol, fish and wildlife, gas, gas crisis, geothermal, goal, habit, hydroelectric power, nature, nimby, photovoltaic cells, renewable energy, s, solar power, switchgrass, time, tradeoffs, uses, wind energy, wind turbines
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I definitely take issue with ethanol as a solution. It ruins the soil and many people are dependent on corn for a source of food. It does not make sense to turn a staple into energy.We are in a so-called global food crises and the geniuses think that turning food into fuel is a good idea…
Renees last blog post..National Pro-Life Unions, says Obama Has Betrayed The Black Community
Hi Renee,
I agree with you on the ethanol issue… they seem to be scrambling for ideas in a hurry to meet the need for alternatives..but a staple, a food source…is clearly not the answer!
What I cannot understand is why governments are not investing in public transportation. Better bus service would go along way to reducing pollution. With the increase in gas prices right now I believe that public transportation is something more and more people are beginning to see as a viable option. If it were to be made more user friendly how many would leave their cars at home altogether?
Renees last blog post..There Is More To Race Than Black and White
Hi Renee,
Here in the U.S, there has been a recent surge in mass transit. I have an article here by that title. In Seattle 28% of people took the Sounder ( a rail system) in a two week period of time. They were surprised at how relaxing and even quicker it was than when they drove it themselves. You are right, many people are seeing public transportation as a viable option. Now there needs to be more buses and more rail cars…it all takes time, but we are making changes!
You know what? I also have gathered through research that it’s about time for the world to be going crazy like it is now, anyway! And it IS going crazy! I live in the Philippines, and it’s impossible to have tornadoes here, yet we are now getting tornado warnings all of a sudden!
I’ve read that every so and so millions of years or was it hundreds of thousands of years…the earth shifts poles and freezes over, anyway. This is a way that it heals itself. And it looks like these days, she wants to heal herself!
Charitys last blog post..Which Way Is Home?
Hi Charity,
Yes, I do agree with you. There seems to being no predicting the weather or Mother Nature these days. She is fighting back everywhere, and yes…trying to heal herself!
I for the life of me cannot see taking food off of the table to put into energy. We as a people are growing in numbers and food will become more of an issue than it is today. The weather is changing faster than we can imagine. You are right, we have to start somewhere. But you know what? Folks like you and me are doing it now by themselves. We cannot wait on the government and many are not waiting. Many new inventions are coming our way that will help us turn that corner and then, look out…….
Hi Linda,
Amen to that comment ! You are absolutely right..No food source should ever be used for energy. I for one…am looking forward to the new inventions, and the innovative minds that will help us turn the corner soon…and without waiting on the the government !
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