Environmental Sustainability in the EU - Research Paper Example

“Environmental Sustainability in the EU” “Environmental Sustainability” The term Environmental Sustainability is defined as, “the ability to maintain things or qualities that are valued in the physical environment” (Sutton, 2004). Environmental Sustainability is the capability to keep the qualities of the physical environment away from any damage or deficiency of the most valuable resources. The concept of environmental sustainability includes everything that is valuable for people’s life. For a sustainable environment there is a need to protect the natural environment such as clean water and air, a proper climate, food resources etc. It also includes sustaining the natural resources that produce renewable sources. These resources include the protection of water, timber, fish, wood and so on. Environmental sustainability aims to protect human life and maintain the quality of life for everyone. It also includes proper maintenance of food reserves and maintenance of the beauty of the surroundings. This paper would further define the types of energy sources and would explain how these energy sources affect the environment sustainability. During 1970s, researchers were more concerned about the relationship between energy and economics. The significant and strong relationship between the use of energy and environment was not given much consideration at that time. However, during 1980s, the attention diverted towards the environmental issues including acid rains, continuously damaging ozone layer and extreme weather conditions. Increasing concern to evaluate the factors creating these extreme changes and damages to the environment guided the researchers to concentrate on the relationship between energy utilization and environmental conditions. It was then found out that energy utilization, conversion, creation and renovations affect the earth’s atmosphere. These affects are the result of thermal, chemical or nuclear discharges due to the use of energy resources which definitely provide some benefits to the human beings but are harmful for the environment. Non-renewable energy resources are widely used around the world. These are the most commonly used energy resources and are the easiest to obtain but cannot be declared as the best way of attaining energy. Non-renewable energy resources are easier to obtain, cheaper as compared to renewable resources, simple to manage and utilize but there are certain environmental costs related to its operation. The use of non-renewable energy resources further causes devastating chronic effects on the existence of all the living creatures. The environmental costs related to the use of such energy sources create a long list. The main environmental issues related, include water pollution, maritime pollution, land use and siting impact, radiation and radioactivity, solid waste disposal, hazardous air pollutants, ambient air quality, acid deposition, stratospheric ozone depletion and global climate change (Dincer & Rosen, 2007). These energy resources are the most crucial cause of the increasing global warming problem which is a result of continuously progressing greenhouse effect. There are effective and easy to use but are not the most ‘earth-friendly’. Fuel wood crisis is another major externality of using wood as a source of obtaining energy. Fuel wood crisis explains a greater number of trees being cut and utilized for different purposes as compared to the number of trees being planted and grown back. This is resulting in deforestation and increasing atmospheric pollution. Some more non-renewable resources include fossil fuels. Coal, natural gas and oil are included in this group. Regardless of the fact that these fuels are cheap and easy to get access they have catastrophic effects on global environment. We cannot ignore the importance of these fuels as 66% of the electricity is produced by burning these resources. However, it is crystal-clear that burning these fuels, and particularly coal, result in a relatively larger amount of pollution and a greater amount of carbon dioxide is released (Singhal & Mehrotra, 2000). Hence we may conclude that costs related to the use of nonrenewable resources are higher than the advantages attained. After considering all the drawbacks associated with the consumption of nonrenewable energy resources it is not difficult to conclude that renewable energy sources are the best when it comes to save our environment. However, the problems with renewable energy sources persist. These energy sources are expensive; require a perfect infrastructure, knowledge and so on. Solar energy has been admitted as an important and useful energy resource. Countries around the globe have now realized the problem associated with the consumption of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources. The reserves of fossil fuels and other nonrenewable sources are limited, whereas, renewable sources of energy are not limited in general. Solar energy does not require any fuel costs and its use in more fields may reduce the health costs and environmental pollution. In June 2007, the United States Department of Energy announced that the government is investing $60M to increase the use of solar energy. This declaration clearly shows the importance given to an increased usage of solar energy by United States. Furthermore, DOE announces to provide $30M for the research purposes in order to evaluate the ways to produce new and improved solar products. Solar energy is encouraged to be used as a source of producing electricity. Solar Panels are increasingly becoming popular in which Solar Photovoltaic Cells produce electricity. The efficiency of Solar panels is about 15%, whereas, another new technology, Concentrated Solar Power has an efficiency of 30%. It means, that out of the total amount of solar energy used by a Solar Panel produces 15% of electricity, whereas, CSP produces 30% electricity. The use of Solar Power does not end here. America and other developed nations are continuously manufacturing things which may convert solar energy in to other energies. Moreover, solar energy is also used to heat up water to convert it into steam and turn the turbines to generate electricity. Keeping in view, the investments made by the United States, it can be assumed that America may get successful in utilizing the highest possible amount of solar energy and may avoid a large number of threats which are related to the consumption of non-renewable energy sources. Moreover, the increased attention provided to the invention of new machineries run by solar energy also points towards a brighter prospect of greater use of renewable energy resources. In conclusion, it can be said that, despite of the many advantages associated with the use of renewable energy sources it is difficult for the developing nations to fully adopt and utilize this source of energy. However, Developed nations, like United States are continuously evaluating new ways and strategies to use renewable energy resources in all fields of life. It is also evident that use of renewable energy sources are more environment friendly and may avoid the greatest threats to our existence like pollution and greenhouse effect. Bibliography: Dinçer, I., & Rosen, M. (2007). Exergy: Energy, environment, and sustainable development. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Sutton, P. (2004) “A Perspective on environmental sustainability?” Website for the Commissioner of Environmental Sustainability Victoria. Singhal, R. K., & Mehrotra, A. K. (2000). Environmental issues and management of waste in energy and mineral production. A A Balkema. U.S. Department of Energy Website: Read More