Alternative vs. Traditional Fuel Sources
Alternative vs. Traditional Energy Sources
The use of alternative energy sources versus the use of traditional energy sources has become one of the country’s, if not the world’s, most heated debate in recent years. For the purposes of this paper, the term “alternative energy” refers to any form of energy that is not derived from fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources like wind farms, solar cells, hydroelectric dams, biomass fuels, and nuclear power have been considered to be attainable sources that will be able to sustain the global population’s high demands. Traditional energy sources like oil, gas and coal are what the modern world knows and is most comfortable with, as its established fountain of fuel. Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of one power source over another is a complicated process. There are many factors to consider, including everything from understanding the environmental effects of a particular type of power production and consumption, to addressing the power needs of the people and finding methods for delivering the power. Looking at both sides of this issue and surmising which argument seems to hold more water will allow for a reasonable conclusion to be made in favor of one side versus the other.
One reason why people support alternative energy sources is because they are better for the environment. As stated in Alternative Energy porcon.org “Complete elimination of CO2 could occur as early as 2040” (Can). The use of wind farms, solar-electric systems, and nuclear power plants would greatly assist in this elimination as they do not pollute the air with nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, dust or greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. It is believed that the United States should decarbonize itself and stop the spread of global warming. The global population needs to become “Greener”, which is a marketing term that means cleaner, thus no pollution is involved. Alternative energy production does not create damaging environmental
The use of alternative energy sources versus the use of traditional energy sources has become one of the country’s, if not the world’s, most heated debate in recent years. For the purposes of this paper, the term “alternative energy” refers to any form of energy that is not derived from fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources like wind farms, solar cells, hydroelectric dams, biomass fuels, and nuclear power have been considered to be attainable sources that will be able to sustain the global population’s high demands. Traditional energy sources like oil, gas and coal are what the modern world knows and is most comfortable with, as its established fountain of fuel. Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of one power source over another is a complicated process. There are many factors to consider, including everything from understanding the environmental effects of a particular type of power production and consumption, to addressing the power needs of the people and finding methods for delivering the power. Looking at both sides of this issue and surmising which argument seems to hold more water will allow for a reasonable conclusion to be made in favor of one side versus the other.
One reason why people support alternative energy sources is because they are better for the environment. As stated in Alternative Energy porcon.org “Complete elimination of CO2 could occur as early as 2040” (Can). The use of wind farms, solar-electric systems, and nuclear power plants would greatly assist in this elimination as they do not pollute the air with nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, dust or greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. It is believed that the United States should decarbonize itself and stop the spread of global warming. The global population needs to become “Greener”, which is a marketing term that means cleaner, thus no pollution is involved. Alternative energy production does not create damaging environmental
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