Fossil Fuels

MAJOR ISSUE: GLOBAL WARMING

In the burning of fossil fuels there is a release of carbon dioxide gas (CO2). This fact is alarming in itself because of the Global Warming that it creates:

-“Worldwide, 1995 was the warmest year since global temperatures
were first kept in 1856. This supports the near consensus among
climatologist that emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases are causing
global warming ( Energy Facts Online)."

-“On average, 16 million tons of carbon dioxide are emitted into the
atmosphere every 24 hours by human use worldwide. (U.S. Department of
Energy)

-“Approximately 30,000 live are cut short in the U.S. each year due
to pollution from electricity from production. (ABT Associates Study)
(Energy Facts, 2).”

So, what can be done about all this?

1) CONSERVE ENERGY!!! By doing so we reduce CO2 emissions and slower the rate of depletion

of fossil fuels...

2) There is no single solution that can meet our society’s future energy
needs. The solution instead will come from a family of diverse energy
technologies that share a common thread—they do not deplete our natural
resources or destroy the environment.

3) We need to examine and research alternative sources of energy.

4)“We can increase our reliance on renewable energy by
enacting supportive federal and state policies, reducing barriers to the
adoption of renewable technologies and by encouraging individual,
businesses, and government purchases of energy to use renewables. And by
ensuring that we use energy more efficiently (Clean Energy Online).”

WHY ARE RENEWABLE RESOURCES BETTER VS. THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS

--"Because increased renewable energy use reduces the demand for
natural gas, and creates new competitors to traditional power plants,
increasing renewable energy would reduce natural gas prices."

----“Previous UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists) analyses have found
that a 20 percent renewable electricity standard would save consumers money
if renewable energy costs continue to decline as projected by UCS and the
Department of Energy’s national laboratories."

--“Previous UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists) analyses have found
that a 20 percent renewable electricity standard would save consumers money
if renewable energy costs continue to decline as projected by UCS and the
Department of Energy’s national laboratories."

--“Between 2019 and 2025… cumulative electricity bill savings would
reach $10.9 billion through 2025” because replacement by renewable energy
sources" (Clean Energy Online).

CITATIONS:
~ CLEAN ENERGY.Online. 22 April 2004<
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy/index.cmf
~ UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS.Online. 22 April 2004<
http://www.ucsusa.org/CoalvsWind/c01.html
~ Energy Facts.Online. 22 April 2004<
http://solarenergy.org/resources/energyfacts.html

ENPH 210 Spring 2004 Fossil Fuels	RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES: AN OVERVIEW FOSSIL FUELS VS. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
NUCLEAR GEOTHERMAL SOLAR BIOMASS WIND HOME Page		-Today, most of the energy we use comes from the use of fossil fuels.
	-Coal, oil and natural gas are all fossil fuels that we use. Fossil fuels are created deep with in the earth under heat and pressure and the only way to access them is through extraction by drilling.
		-Fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource because we are using them faster than they can be created deep within the earth (this takes millions of years)."Fossil fuels are depleted at a rate that is 100,000 times faster than they are formed"(Energy Facts Online). According to ucsusa.org, some manufacturers that rely heavily on gas must relocate overseas or reduce operations. The conservation of fossil fuel energy is something that we need an ongoing awareness of.
	Positives of Fossil Fuels: -Its industry is a source of creating jobs -We have it abundantly available (as of now) -It generates 54% of our electricity needs in the U.S.	Negatives of Fossil Fuels: -It will eventually run out -Coal is the single biggest air polluter in the U.S.
		-Air pollution:burning coal causes smog, soot, acid rain, global warming, and toxic air emission -Waste generated: Ash, sludge, toxic chemicals, and waste heat create more environmental problems -“Fuel supply: Mining, transporting, and storing coal levels mountains and pollutes the land, water, and air"(Union of Concerned Scientists). -“Water use: Coal plants need billions of gallons of cooling water and harm wildlife" (Union of Concerned Scientists).
	MAJOR ISSUE: GLOBAL WARMING In the burning of fossil fuels there is a release of carbon dioxide gas (CO2). This fact is alarming in itself because of the Global Warming that it creates: -“Worldwide, 1995 was the warmest year since global temperatures were first kept in 1856. This supports the near consensus among climatologist that emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases are causing global warming ( Energy Facts Online)." -“On average, 16 million tons of carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere every 24 hours by human use worldwide. (U.S. Department of Energy) -“Approximately 30,000 live are cut short in the U.S. each year due to pollution from electricity from production. (ABT Associates Study) (Energy Facts, 2).”
	So, what can be done about all this? 1) CONSERVE ENERGY!!! By doing so we reduce CO2 emissions and slower the rate of depletion of fossil fuels... 2) There is no single solution that can meet our society’s future energy needs. The solution instead will come from a family of diverse energy technologies that share a common thread—they do not deplete our natural resources or destroy the environment. 3) We need to examine and research alternative sources of energy. 4)“We can increase our reliance on renewable energy by enacting supportive federal and state policies, reducing barriers to the adoption of renewable technologies and by encouraging individual, businesses, and government purchases of energy to use renewables. And by ensuring that we use energy more efficiently (Clean Energy Online).” WHY ARE RENEWABLE RESOURCES BETTER VS. THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS --"Because increased renewable energy use reduces the demand for natural gas, and creates new competitors to traditional power plants, increasing renewable energy would reduce natural gas prices." ----“Previous UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists) analyses have found that a 20 percent renewable electricity standard would save consumers money if renewable energy costs continue to decline as projected by UCS and the Department of Energy’s national laboratories." --“Previous UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists) analyses have found that a 20 percent renewable electricity standard would save consumers money if renewable energy costs continue to decline as projected by UCS and the Department of Energy’s national laboratories." --“Between 2019 and 2025… cumulative electricity bill savings would reach $10.9 billion through 2025” because replacement by renewable energy sources" (Clean Energy Online). CITATIONS: ~ CLEAN ENERGY.Online. 22 April 2004< http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy/index.cmf ~ UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS.Online. 22 April 2004< http://www.ucsusa.org/CoalvsWind/c01.html ~ Energy Facts.Online. 22 April 2004< http://solarenergy.org/resources/energyfacts.html

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES: AN OVERVIEW

FOSSIL FUELS VS. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

-Today, most of the energy we use comes from the use of fossil fuels.

-Coal, oil and natural gas are all fossil fuels that we use. Fossil fuels are created deep with in the earth under heat and pressure and the only way to access them is through extraction by drilling.

Positives of Fossil Fuels:

Negatives of Fossil Fuels:

MAJOR ISSUE: GLOBAL WARMING

So, what can be done about all this?

WHY ARE RENEWABLE RESOURCES BETTER VS. THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS