Energy Solutions
Essay Preview: Energy Solutions
Report this essay
Oil is the black gold of the twentieth century; it has transformed a number of developing countries, like Saudi Arabia, from being poor to being wealthy and has fast-forwarded the industrial revolution in most western nations. It was, however, also the source for many 20th century conflicts like the gulf war.
We differentiate two forms of energy: sustainable energy and fossil fuels (primarily oil, coal and natural gas).
Wind, solar, geothermal and tidal energy are all forms of sustainable energy: energy that does not pollute and that don’t affect the energy reserves of generations to come. It comes in many forms beside the ones stated before. Hydrogen, Bio fuel and even Nuclear power are also considered sustainable. It is the sustainable forms of energy that have a future, as these will not run out and are not harmful to our environment.
Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons, which were formed from the remains of organic life in the ancient times. The problem with fossil fuels is that when they are used, CO2, or carbon dioxide, is created. CO2 is the world’s biggest contributor to the greenhouse effect. Besides being hazardous to the environment, the biggest problem with fossil fuels is that they will run out in the near future. Experts have different opinions about the amounts of fossil fuels still present, but they all agree on one thing: Fossil fuels will run out in the near future. We will not survive without energy, so it is time to look for alternatives.
At present we are using up the polluting form, fossil fuels.