Alternitive Energy Implications

Derek Gookin

Alternative Energy Implications

 As the population increases, natural resources decrease. Eventually, we will not have enough to fit the needs of everyone on this planet. The only solution is alternative energy here in the U.S. In 2009, we used 12% coal, 25% natural gas, 37% petroleum, 9% nuclear, and 8% renewable energy. When I look at those numbers I see a country that depends on natural resources for energy. The problem is that energy is not renewable. As a country we need to stand back and take a look at this issue. Whether you like it or not we are going to eventually run out of our natural resources such as fossil fuels. The issue can either be faced now, or pushed to the side until it hits us like a wall. Our country is one of 3 who have not ratified the Kyoto protocol, what reasons do we have to not comply with the rest of the world? Do Obama’s alternative energy plans correspond with actions that are being taken? How can wind and solar energy be implemented into society, and why should they?

            The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty that proposes countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It was organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It is intended to help fight climate change by reducing green house gas emissions to the atmosphere. As land is being cleared and fossil fuels are releasing CO2, the earth heats up. This is because CO2 absorbs the earth’s heat energy and there are not enough plants to absorb the CO2 and maintain equilibrium. The population increasing directly effects the amount of energy needed, by regulating alternative energy usage, it can be more expensive it you look from a short term perspective. In the long term, you would save energy, money, and the environment.   

There are 194 countries that exist in the world. Out of these 194, 191 have ratified the Kyoto protocol. That leaves the U.S, Afghanistan, Western Sahara, and Somalia. These are the remaining countries who have not ratified. Why has our government not ratified this treaty? The simple answer is the priority of America, money right now is more important than the future environment. Like I said before, it is cheaper to use fossil fuels considering short term finances. If the U.S were to ratify the Kyoto protocol it would force new restrictions on our emissions released which would cost big corporations, and the government money. In 2007 the list for the carbon emissions by country showed China in first with 22.20% closely followed by the USA at 19.91%. This is outrageous considering china has a population of 1.13 billion people while the U.S has fewer than 312 million people. By ratifying the Kyoto Protocol it would motivate us to initiate the process of using alternative energy sources and better contribute to saving the planet. President Obama seems to be clear of the fact that he supports alternative energy and would like to see more action taken. In 2009 According to a “2011 USA Today Survey”, 83% of Americans would like to see a bill passed that provides incentives for using solar and other alternative energy sources. USA Today also states that 93% of democrats and 75% of republicans support the action to pass an alternative energy bill. An alternative energy bill is not going to solve the problem but it would be a nice start to hopefully start a revolution here in America. While Obama was talking about the American Recovery and Reinforcement act of 2009 he said, "It is more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been, “Barrack Obama.” Obama plans to grant more money to expand scientific and technological research. The President said that the funding would surpass 1964 when the space race was in full gear. The U.S spent 2.88% of our GDP on science and technology research development. As of 2007 we were spending 2.66% of our GDP. Unfortunately the U.S is only projected to spend 2.4% of their Gross Domestic Product in 2011. That is a decrease from Obama’s original 2009 plans of what the GDP expenditure would be in 2011. His plans are not successful because it’s hard to spend money when you are trillions of dollars in debt, and your country is in a recession. That is the reason many Americans are not proactive on this issue, they need to take care of themselves and make sure they can afford to pay the bills and put food on the table. (http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/)

            The fastest growing energy source in the country is wind energy. Just in 2008 Rockport Montana was the town to obtain all of its power from wind energy. Farmers with wind fields are pleased in the fact that they can make more money that they do with growing crops, and also don’t have to do anything, the wind does all the work. The farmer’s liabilities are also decreased with the fact they don’t have to depend on their growing crops for income, after all one bad bug infestation can ruin an entire crop which can make or break a farmer financially. Rockport has an excess amount of energy that they can sell to neighboring towns and make a profit off of. If the government could fund more of these wind fields that would be a great step to implementing alternative energy. Because it is so hard to convert a country who thinks money first, to spend on things that do not directly benefit them financially, it is going to have to start with the individual states government. If the people in Washington can’t get the job done than it is up to the states to bear down and create some change.

            Solar energy is sunlight that is absorbed by solar panels, and can be converted into electricity or heat. Solar energy is a renewable energy, just like wind energy. This means that the solar panels provide a steady flow of energy to the source. This is beneficial in two ways, the solar panel helps save you money in the long term because you don’t have to buy gas and oil to energize your house. By using solar panels you’re also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. Chevron is a company that is one of the leaders in solar energy innovation and installation. In 2008 they installed solar panels at the Contra Costa Community College in California. The panels are spread out covering 34 roofs at 3 campuses. The new installation of the panels is expected to save the school district over 70 million dollars over the next 25 years. The means the district will save a minimum of 2.8 million dollars on energy each year. This is just one of many successful solar panel installations.

            Everything is connected and can help us understand how and why we should implement alternative resources in society. By signing the Kyoto protocol it would jumpstart our effort exercise the usage of alternative and renewable energy. Our government is in charge of ratifying the protocol and also helping to implement alternative energies into the country, the problem is investing in the production, and installation of things such as windmills, and solar panels is not cheap. It is tough for us to invest money when you are trillions of dollars in debt. With the bad economy it has been tough for President Obama to stay on track with his budgeting toward research and development. If the investments are made on installing more wind mills, and solar energy panels than it is a fact money will be saved in the long run and it is reducing climate change.   

Annotated Bibliography

Bishop, Rob. "Energy: The Conservative Alternative - HUMAN EVENTS." Conservative News, Views & Books - HUMAN EVENTS. 9 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=33427>. This article discusses 2 ideas to help improve the energy policy in America. The first is a regressive national energy tax that intentionally increases energy prices to restrict economic growth, and aim to lead America. The other idea is “Cap and Tax” which would implement a massive carbon tax and is the only solution to create new energy jobs and reduce our carbon footprint.

Cooper, Helene. "Obama Says He’ll Push for Clean Energy Bill." Nytimes.com. 2 June 2010. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/us/politics/03obama.html?_r=1>. This article talks about how Obama wants to aggressively accelerate the transition from oil to alternative sources of energy. The article also compares the democratic and republican views and ideas when it comes to alternative resources. The article fails to mention any spacifics of the bill Obama would like to see passed and what he wants changed that is not on our current policy.

"Kyoto Protocol." United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php>. this article talks about how the Kyoto protocol began and the rules of the protocol. The rules and regulations of the protocol are discussed along with the way it is monitored. The author fails to mention all of the countries involved in the Kyoto protocol.

Van Doren, Peter. "The Case against Government Support for Alternative Energy | Peter Van Doren and Jerry Taylor | Cato Institute: Commentary." The Cato Institute. 24 Oct. 2008. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9767>. In the article government prices for alternative energy is discussed along with the current policies. The question of should conventional energy prices be raised to encourage the use of alternative energy resources is discussed showing both sides of the argument.  One thing this article is limited on is statistics and research to back up the pros and cons of the argument.

Solar | Energy Sources | Chevron." Chevron Corporation Home - Human Energy. Chevron, Apr. 2011. Web. Apr.

2011. <http://www.chevron.com/deliveringenergy/solar/>.

The story of Contra Costa Community College school district and how they utilized alternative energy resources, and implemented them in a effective way.

Cooper, M. (2001, January 26). Global warming treaty. CQ Researcher, 41-64. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/

Hosansky, D. (2011, April 1). Wind power. CQ Researcher, 21, 289-312. http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/

Retrieved from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved a 15 percent renewable-energy standard that would have taken effect in 2021. Neither proposal, however, reached Obama's desk before Congress adjourned

Kramer, David. "Obama proposes big increases for energy, climate change, and basic research." Physics Today 62.7 (2009): 29-34. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 4 May 2011.

"more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been," President Obama

His energy plan, Obama said, calls for a one-third reduction in imported oil and 80 percent of the country's electricity coming from renewables like wind and solar by 2035.