Preview

resersh paper

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2107 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
resersh paper
The Reality of Renewable Resources

On April 20, 2010 the Gulf of Mexico experienced what president Obama called “the worst environmental disaster in American History”, a Deep water Horizon oil rig exploded, releasing barrels upon barrels of oil into the gulf (Hertsgaard 1). This disaster, also known as the BP. Oil Spill, gushed out oil for over 2 months. The oil spill caused 11 fatalities, not to mention the lives of aquatic and coastal animals, the destruction of ecosystems, the downfall of tourism and fishing industries on the gulf, as well as the Hefty clean-up cost. Debts need to be paid and changes need to be made to ensure this horrific disaster never occurs again, but that dose not mean the United States needs to completely abolish the use of fossil fuels. The untied states is the worlds largest oil consumer, using more than 1/3 of the worlds oil (Altars 8). The majority of America’s oil is used to make gasoline for cars and other motor vehicles, it is also refined to generate electric power and diesel engines (Altars 6). If the United states were to extinguish the use of fossil fuels and switch over to renewable resources the nation would be using resources such as wind power, solar power, hydro-power, and even biomass. These resources are considered to be environmentally friendly and and more beneficial for american foreign policy, but there are doubts that an all-out energy transition is currently the best choice for the United States. Renewable resources shouldn’t replace the use of fossil fuels in the United States right now because of high expenses, reliability, and existent technology.

In the current United States economy renewable resources are too expensive to rival fossil fuels in the energy market. Energy sources like wind and solar power require large government subsides to even compete in markets where the electricity cost is already incredibly high (Gold 1). Alternative energy sources require large amounts of government funding


Cited: Alters, Sandra. “Oil.” Energy: Supplies, Sustainability, and cost. 2011 ed. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 23-40. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. Bailey, Ronald. "Overpaying for Green Power." Reason (Vol. 42, No. 1). May 2010: 56. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 6 Nov 2013. Ball, Jeffrey. "Tough Love for Renewable Energy: Making Wind and Solar Power..." Foreign Affairs. May/Jun 2012: p. 122. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 6 Nov 2013. Gold, Russell. "Wind, Solar Energy Still Face Big Hurdles." Wall Street Journal. 31 Mar 2011: B.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 6 Nov 2013. Hertsgaard, Mark. "Drowning in Oil." Newsweek. 19 Apr 2013: p. 1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 03 Dec 2013. Lovins, Amory B. "A Farewell to Fossil Fuels: Answering the Energy Challenge." Foreign Affairs. Mar/Apr 2012: 134. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 6 Nov 2013. Schlesinger, James, and Robert L. Hirsch. "Getting Real on Wind and Solar." Washington Post (Washington, DC). 24 Apr 2009: A.19. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. Sterzinger, George. "Beyond Sunny Hopes and Windy Rhetoric." American Prospect Vol. 20, No. 3. April 2009: A16-A20. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 6 Nov 2013. Vining, Bailey. Personal interview. 3 Nov. 2013.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    A Critique of “the Dangerous Delusions for Energy Independence” by Robert Bryce
    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A Critique of “the Dangerous Delusions for Energy Independence” by Robert Bryce

    Since the early 1970’s, several former Presidents and even our current President (Barack Obama), have made promises that we (The United States) would ultimately become an “Energy Independent” country. However, those promises have yet to be fulfilled thus far. In “The Dangerous Delusions of Energy Independence”, Robert Bryce intensely explains that our country’s energy independence has yet to occur because it is basically impossible. Furthermore, to halt trade with countries who have provided the United States with vital resources for countless years, in reality, would have an extremely negative impact on our country.…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Usa Health Case Study
    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Usa Health Case Study

    Politicians talk about the US decreasing its reliance on foreign sources for Energy, but the impact of this plan is never addressed. The reality is that decreasing dependence on foreign oil means increasing dependence on new oil drilling in the US and in places that we have previously deemed protected from the harmful impact of drilling, it also means an increase in coal mining, fracking and other action harmful to our environment and to people’s health.…

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hum/111 to Drill or Not to Drill?
    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hum/111 to Drill or Not to Drill?

    It is obvious that the demand for energy and fuel sources is increasing drastically as time goes by. The United States also anticipates an oil demand increase as the population grows over the next few decades (Haug, 2011). Therefore, the big dilemma is whether or not the search for oil on our land should continue. The recent development and expansion of clean energy resources, although expensive, can end the battle over oil deposits and lead the country into a cleaner future.…

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Gasoline Engine Isn T Going Away Any Time Soon Summary
    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Gasoline Engine Isn T Going Away Any Time Soon Summary

    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…

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Conserving Energy, Arguing to Inquire
    • 2056 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Conserving Energy, Arguing to Inquire

    Rodman D. Griffin’s article entitled “Alternative Energy: Can Renewable Energy Sources Replaces Fossil Fuels?” is about alternative methods of getting energy. The article goes into great detail of how America has gone into such an increase in using oil and other non-renewable resources. America spends billions of dollars a year on oil and gas to fuel the countries working class. This was incorporated in my paper along with other facts that Griffin uses throughout his article. His article gave me insight to the crisis that we face everyday and a new wave of thinking when it comes to alternative energy.…

    • 2056 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Energy Resource Plan Sci 275
    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Energy Resource Plan Sci 275

    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
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Energy Resources: The Turn Of The Twentieth Century
    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Energy Resources: The Turn Of The Twentieth Century

    At the turn of the twentieth century, the United States used coal, oil, and wood as a natural resource to produce energy. Around the beginning of the twenty-first century, those same energy resources are routine today as they were a hundred years ago. The U.S. has refined our ability to use new sources of energy that we have discovered over the last hundred years. However, “Annual consumption of petroleum and natural gas exceeded that of coal in 1947 and then quadrupled in a single generation. Neither before nor since has any source of energy become so dominant so quickly” (“Peacock”). With time the population’s need for more energy was in high demand.…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To Drill or Not to Drill
    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To Drill or Not to Drill

    The United States hopes for prosperity and energy security. The oil produced in the world today 25% is consumed by the United States, which only holds less than 3% of the world’s proven oil reserves (Biencke and Gerard, 2010). The United States is in need in creating a clean energy future and increasing the efficiency of energy and support policies that will initiate innovation in the clean-technology sector (Biencke and Gerard, 2010). The United States has to hinder our dependency on oil, and there has to be more innovations on wind and solar power technology (Biencke and Gerard, 2010). Biencke, F., and Gerard, J.M. (2010). Should the U.S. Halt Offshore Drilling [University of Phoenix Custom Edition eBook].…

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Drill or Not to Drill
    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To Drill or Not to Drill

    For years, the nations of the world have relied on some form of energy to sustain the populace and the industrial sectors of that nation. Fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) are the backbone of the United States’ energy consumption. Fossil fuels are not an infinite source but a finite source. Scientists do not know the exact process behind the creation of fossil fuels, except that the creation takes a very long time. Because fossil fuels are not unlimited and speculation has some fossil fuels disappearing by the end of the 21st century, many individuals believe that the United States needs to look at other resources to fuel the country (“Introduction to Renewable Energy: Opposing Viewpoints,” 2009).…

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Summary And Evaluation
    • 1254 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Summary And Evaluation

    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
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Energy Production Controversy
    • 1984 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Energy Production Controversy

    Imagine the U.S. without cars, motorcycles, planes, or boats. The daily lives of U.S. citizens would be completely different. The common denominator for all those modes of transportation is that they run on gas, which is made from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas are nonrenewable resources. They will run out one day and that’s what the U.S. relies on for gas and electricity. Renewable energy such as solar, wind, and hydropower are infinite sources. The U.S. depends on the finite resources of fossil fuels greatly, yet they have the ability to use renewable energy. The oil boom dates back to Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller and some say that fossil fuels have reached the end of their…

    • 1984 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Future Of Energy In America
    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Future Of Energy In America

    Energy is very important, especially for the people of the United States. It has become an integral part of our lives and we have grown dependent on it. Therein lies the problem, however, because the more we use it, the less there is. We have to find alternative forms of energy before it is gone and we are left high and dry. Not only is our sources decreasing, it is also polluting our beautiful world. Reducing the use of energy and finding alternatives is our only choice when considering the future of America. Cheap gas may sound great right now but once it is gone, it is gone for good. We cannot be selfish and only think of the now, we must look to the future and preserve our resources so that our grandkids will have a good life. We have made…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Causes Of Hydraulic Fracking
    • 1453 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Causes Of Hydraulic Fracking

    We are a plague of negative energy consumers and we will continue to remove ourselves from the reality of environmental humiliation if it means we can still enjoy our material devices, and our complicated obsession of hurting mother nature. The world’s energy consumption has escalated firmly since the industrial boom of the 1800s and will continue to rise as long as we hold a place on this planet or as long as our planet contains the ability to sustain our humanitarian pressure. Presently, the vast majority of our energy consumption is provided by coal or natural gas, but due to the limited supply of resources, the constant production has driven oil and gas prices up. With exhausted traditional natural gas sources, entrepreneurs set out to…

    • 1453 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Is Wind Power Green
    • 2239 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Is Wind Power Green

    As people around the world feel the sting created by the energy crisis, many electric companies and private individuals are seeking to find alternatives to fossil fuel contingent energy. Along with other renewable sources of energy available currently, wind energy is growing at a pace that is surpassing that of solar energy. With all the alternative energy resources, wind power does have its setbacks. Even with setbacks, wind power is becoming a competitor for other energy sources. Wind energy produces no carbon dioxide emissions and is considered one of the cleanest energy alternatives available, but can it really be considered green? I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of wind power and provide evidence to support that wind power is a green energy source.…

    • 2239 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Our Energy Future
    • 1055 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Our Energy Future

    Currently, it's clear that there is an immense problem with the prospect of society's energy needs for the future. Such a large dependency on limited fossil fuels are already dampening the world's economy, and following this path will simply ensure a destitute future. However, changes could be made in today's time to prevent such an event from occurring, but it will require many separate state entities to work together and no longer undermine each other's attempts at reform. Some alternatives to fossil fuels include solar, hydro, and wind power, but replacing the resources would only be a small step to protecting the future. A more necessary change would be the reconstruction of electric grids, such as the forty year old grid in the United States that costs the government upwards of $200 billion a year to maintain.…

    • 1055 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics