Alternative Sources of Energy Used in the USA - Essay Example

Alternative Sources of Energy Introduction The U.S. has for a long time depended much on fossil fuels as its main sourceof energy, just like other countries across the globe (Krüger 4). Nevertheless, its impacts on the economy and the environment has caused a lot of concerns over the last few decades with many countries proposing a move toward the use of renewable sources of energy such as solar power, hydroelectric power, wind power, biogas and nuclear power. The impacts of fossil fuels on the environment have been so adverse that they can no longer be ignored. For instance, it has been the combustion of fossil fuels is noted to be the main cause of global warming (Krüger 4). Economically, fossil fuels have become expensive to the extent that it influences greatly the prices of other commodities. To help address the issue, world leaders have been advocating for measures aimed at limiting the use of fossil fuels as a source of energy. This was evident when world leaders with the exception of the U.S. gathered in Kyoto in 2005 in an attempt to come up with an amicable solution to the problem (Krüger 5). This led to the signing of the Kyoto protocol, which advocated for the use of renewable sources of energy as opposed to fossil fuels. Despite the U.S. not being among the countries that took part in the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, it is finding unwise to rely much on fossil fuels as its main source of energy (Krüger 8). This is because it is creating economic hardships, as well as environment problems that make the U.S. venerable to many natural calamities such as droughts and extreme flooding among others. As a result, Krüger notes that the government has recognized the need to increase funding for harnessing alternative sources of energy (8). In this regard, the government is finding it viable to invest more on renewable sources of energy that scientists argue, are more efficient and environmental friendly. This paper will discuss the need for the government of the United States to provide assistance in the harnessing of solar and wind power. Most Americans and scientists agree that in order to fight global warming and achieve energy independence, the U.S. has to avoid the use of fossil fuel and adopt the use of other renewable sources of energy that are efficient and cost effective. These include solar energy, wind power, hydroelectric power, and biomass. Reports show that overreliance on fossil fuels is becoming a big threat to the U.S. economy and the environment (Winkler par.2). The impacts of fossil fuels use on the environment include the destruction of the ozone layer which leads to global warming. Research indicates that the U.S. is one of the leading emitters of greenhouse gases in the world (Winkler par.3). At the same time, it is also reported that the U.S. spends many dollars in importing fossil fuel for its industries and automobiles yearly, thereby putting the economy at high risk. As a result, the government has proposed the need for investing on alternative sources of energy as a way of solving the problem. For instance, President Barack Obama announced a plan to create about five million new jobs in the U.S. in the next few years. In his plan, he intended to invest about $150 billion in the harnessing of renewable sources of energy in the future, a move that has been supported by a majority of Americans (Winkler par.4). Solar energy Solar energy is the power generated using radiations from the sun, which is transformed into electric power using solar panels. Thornley reveals that the U.S. receives abundant sunlight every year thereby putting it in a favorable position as an alternative source of energy (par.5). Solar energy is the most reliable and abundant source of energy and so the U.S. government should focus much on its development and increased use as an alternative energy source (Thornley par.4). Apart from being practically inexhaustible in the foreseeable future, it is green and does not pollute the environment. In addition, providing assistance on solar energy would be a good initiative since the country already has several companies that deal in the production of solar panels. This implies that the country will not rely on imported solar panels to harness the abandon green energy source. Focusing on the harnessing solar power will help boost the economy because it more jobs would be created with the establishment of more industries that manufacture solar panels. A study conducted by the University of Tennessee revealed that shifting toward green energy sources has the potential of increasing net farm output by about $460 million, as well as creating about 44,000 new jobs in Pennsylvania alone (Thornley par.4). (Krüger 22). Wind energy Wind energy is another alternative source of energy that the government of the U.S. should invest more in (Krüger 11). To produce wind energy, engineers normally use turbines to harness the power of air in motion. Krüger notes that the U.S. experiences above average windy conditions that favor the production of wind power, capable of producing electricity for use in homes and industries (13). Wind power does not pollute the environment, which means that its use will help reduce environmental pollution. The use of wind power will also help save cost usually incurred by consumers on electricity thereby boosting the confidence of investors in the country (Krüger 13). Further, harnessing of wind power would help create new jobs in the country, which would certainly help boost the economy of the country. The University of Colorado reported that wind power generated about 26.6 billion kwh of electricity to the United States national grid in 2006 (par. 11). This power production was found to be capable of serving more than 2.4 million households. This amount of energy is enough to serve a city larger than Los Angeles. This implies that investing more on this energy will help increase the capacity of wind power that would eventually solve the problem of overreliance on fossil fuel in the country. The government should boost the industries that manufacture solar panels and wind energy equipment by lowering taxes on their products. In order to further develop the solar energy industry, the government should institute policies that encourage the use of solar energy both at the domestic, industrial, and state levels. In addition, the government should consider funding studies that relate to the development of solar and wind energies. Yet again, the government should consider lowering taxes on imports that are directed to the manufacture of solar and wind energy products and appliances. Conclusion Overdependence on fossil fuels is indeed causing a lot of concern among environmentalists, economists, and politicians in the U.S. Nevertheless, all agree that there is need to limit the use of fossil fuels as a source of energy in the country and invest more on renewable sources of energy. This is because fossil fuels have many negative impacts on the environment. In addition, it is expensive in terms of cost, which affects the economy of the country. The government’s plan to invest over $150 dollars in the development of alternative sources of energy is indeed a move in the direction since it will enable the U.S. harness enough energy from renewable sources thereby avoiding over dependent on fossil fuels. However, based on the state of the country and its potential, it is prudent that the government focus more on solar and wind energy, which are efficient, non-pollutant and abundant in the country. Work Cited Krüger, Paul. Alternative energy resources: the quest for sustainable energy. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley. 2006. Print. Thornley, Drew. Energy & the Environment . 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012 http://www.manhattan-institute.org/energymyths/myth3.htm University of Colorado. Renewable Energy. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012 http://ecenter.colorado.edu/energy-climate/energy-101/renewables Winkler, Sarah. What is the immediate impact of renewable energy? 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012 http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/impact-renewable-energy.htm Read More