Deniz Bozdag
Professor Douglas
English 1301
June 29 2016
The Energy Crisis: It Must Be Addressed Now
It is nearly impossible for anyone to sufficiently state that the world is not advancing. Throughout the years, society has managed to transform ideas that were once were small shortcomings into things way beyond what meets the human eye. This list of progressions includes the global energy crisis. According to the Global Economic Symposium, humans today rely on coal, gas, and oil (what is better known as fossil fuels) for over 80% of our current energy needs. As resources are plundering, it is time for civilization to turn towards new forms of energy such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Energy is quickly one of the most
undermined essentials people use in their everyday lives. It’s needed for
everything from transportation to refrigerating leftovers to lighting our
homes. Yet, it seems that energy production itself poses serious environmental,
economic and security threats. As technology continues to develop, efficiency
can become even greater, with the United States as well as the world alluding
to an era of the diminishing of fossil fuels. (Energy Future Coalition) Specifically because fossil
fuels produce carbon emissions, can there be a world where the is no more air
to breathe, literally? (More information here on why energy matters).
It is time for society to take a
stance on a growing issue
It is time for new developments
to be made
It is time for people to be aware
of how they are treating the Earth
It is time for awareness to be
raised on an issue that is not being given enough attention
It is time to start looking not
just for the present, but for the future
It is time for a change
One of the most reliable sources
includes solar energy; a continuously evolving form that has arguably the
highest form of independence. “Fuel” for solar panels cannot be bought or
monopolized, it is simply an equal chance for everyone to use (Shahan 1). Industries can
also provide twice the amount of job creations than that of coals (More
information here).
Secondly, wind power is
seemingly emerging with promising results. The lack of virtually no greenhouse
gases that it produces with the additional advantage of no fuel costs leaves an
obvious choice. Critics might argue that the amount of energy produced does
depend on the amount of wind, however it is clear that the benefits truly outweigh
the costs (Vattenfall).
The last alternative,
although not the end of possible ones, contains hydropower. Hydropower, or the
electricity that is generated from the energy of moving water, is surprisingly
the provider to almost one-fifth of the world’s electricity, according to
National Geographic. Its power plants have a long economic life, a feature
desperate to be taken advantage of in the U.S. (See the detail of the pros and
cons of other types of powers here).
The United States of
America is a part of a global crisis that needs to be addressed. Through the
various uses of alternatives, such as solar energy, wind power and hydropower,
America can contribute positively and provide a more promising future for their
people. With these developments society can pledge to each other’s attempts to
provide a healthier, more sustainable world.
Brown,
John. "Finding Solutions. Together." The Energy Crisis and Climate
Change. N.p., 2009. Web. 23 June 2016.
"Why
We Must Act." Energy Future Coalition. Energy Future Coalition,
n.d. Web. 23 June 2016.
"Hydropower
Facts, Hydropower Information- National Geographic." National
Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2016.
"Pros
and Cons of Different Energy Sources - Vattenfall." Vattenfall.
N.p., 4 Sept. 2015. Web. 23 June 2016.
