Energy Conservation Essay
Energy Conservation
SCI/275
Energy conservation is so important. Why you ask? Because of the limited amount of nonrenewable energy sources on Earth, it is important to conserve our current supply or to use renewable sources so that our natural resources will be available for future generations. Energy conservation is also important because consumption of nonrenewable sources impacts the environment. Specifically, our use of fossil fuels contributes to air and water pollution. For example, carbon dioxide is produced when oil, coal, and gas combust in power stations, heating systems, and car engines. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acts as a transparent blanket that contributes to the global warming of the earth, or "greenhouse effect." It is possible that this warming trend could significantly alter our weather. Possible impacts include a threat to human health, environmental impacts such as rising sea levels that can damage coastal areas, and major changes in vegetation growth patterns that could cause some plant and animal species to become extinct.(www.epa.gov)
What is a non-renewable resource? Nonrenewable energy sources come out of the ground as liquids, gases, and solids. Crude oil (petroleum) is the only commercial nonrenewable fuel that is naturally in liquid form. Natural gas and propane are normally gases, and coal is a solid. Eventually non-renewable resources will run out causing havoc among those who depend on these resources on a daily basis.
What factors does this issue affect? Recently there was an oil spill off the gulf coast. It has taken workers almost three weeks to contain the spill. The damage done by this spill has wreaked havoc on the ocean life. If the spill reaches the coast then the damage could be even more destructive. This spill could have been prevented if there was no oil rig in the first place. If we used more renewable energy resources then the oil rig is not necessary. Another
SCI/275
Energy conservation is so important. Why you ask? Because of the limited amount of nonrenewable energy sources on Earth, it is important to conserve our current supply or to use renewable sources so that our natural resources will be available for future generations. Energy conservation is also important because consumption of nonrenewable sources impacts the environment. Specifically, our use of fossil fuels contributes to air and water pollution. For example, carbon dioxide is produced when oil, coal, and gas combust in power stations, heating systems, and car engines. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acts as a transparent blanket that contributes to the global warming of the earth, or "greenhouse effect." It is possible that this warming trend could significantly alter our weather. Possible impacts include a threat to human health, environmental impacts such as rising sea levels that can damage coastal areas, and major changes in vegetation growth patterns that could cause some plant and animal species to become extinct.(www.epa.gov)
What is a non-renewable resource? Nonrenewable energy sources come out of the ground as liquids, gases, and solids. Crude oil (petroleum) is the only commercial nonrenewable fuel that is naturally in liquid form. Natural gas and propane are normally gases, and coal is a solid. Eventually non-renewable resources will run out causing havoc among those who depend on these resources on a daily basis.
What factors does this issue affect? Recently there was an oil spill off the gulf coast. It has taken workers almost three weeks to contain the spill. The damage done by this spill has wreaked havoc on the ocean life. If the spill reaches the coast then the damage could be even more destructive. This spill could have been prevented if there was no oil rig in the first place. If we used more renewable energy resources then the oil rig is not necessary. Another
Cited: NREL. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_basics.html wikinvest.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from wikinvest: http://www.wikinvest.com/industry/Renewable_Energy www.epa.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved from epa: http://www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/p2pages/energy.pdf www.neaq.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from new england aquarium: http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/climate_change/effects_on_ocean_animals.php