The Problem of the Energy Crisis - Essay Example

The significant difference between renewable energy and nonrenewable energy is the ability of renewable energy to renew. For example, wind energy is a renewable energy source which will be available in this world as long as this world remains in its present state. On the other hand, the same thing cannot be said about nonrenewable energy. For example, oil or natural gas energy sources are exhausting days by day and it is not replaced by any natural means.

Because of the nonrenewable nature of nonrenewable energy, this energy source is going to lose its significance in near future or 50 years from now. Renewable energy sources will gain prominence in near future itself. Moreover, nonrenewable energy sources are causing severe environmental problems like air pollution, water pollution, global warming, climate changes etc and therefore it is difficult to rely on nonrenewable energy sources further. For example, “Air pollution, thermal pollution, land devastation, groundwater pollution, acidification of streams and rivers, erosion, subsidence of land caused by underground mines, hazards to miners, and, of course, global warming are all recognized as part and parcel of coal’s utilization” (Smith, 2009, p.162). On the other hand, renewable energies such as wind energy, tidal energy, solar energy etc are causing little or no damage to the environment.

In my opinion, solar energy seems to be the future energy source. The major advantage of solar energy is the fewer environmental problems it can generate and its abundant nature. Solar energy reaches every part of the earth 12 hours per day. If we can develop technologies feasible for the exploitation of solar energy, we need not be worried too much about the energy crisis in future. The major problem associated with the exploitation of solar energy is the lack of feasible technologies to convert solar energy into other forms of energy. Since solar energy is available only in the daytime, it is necessary to store it for night requirements.

At present China is the number one exploiter of solar energy whereas solar energy exploitation in America is negligible. America should take lessons from China and they should concentrate more on developing feasible technologies for the exploitation of solar energy. More funding is required to strengthen the research in this field. It should be noted that America wastes too much money developing destructive war weapons. Even half of the money spent for the harmful purpose is enough to develop technologies necessary to exploit solar energy and to solve the energy crisis problems. To conclude, we should focus more on exploiting nonrenewable energy sources such as solar energy to solve energy crisis problems.