Environmental Science - Research Paper Example

? Alternative Fuels Oil is a finite resource, its availability and price unstable. Oil also contributesto air pollution and enriches brutal dictatorships such as Libya and oppressive monarchies like Saudi Arabia. The ongoing unrest in both countries as well as throughout the Middle East has caused oil prices to rise and should again remind all countries to accelerate the implementation of alternative sources of fuel. The by-products of oil, along with coal, together known as ‘fossil fuels,’ are the major contributors to what is commonly referred to as ‘greenhouse gasses’ being pumped into the atmosphere at a phenomenal rate, the effects of which are causing the Earth’s climate to change. According to all peer-reviewed scientific studies, if the quantity of greenhouse gasses being spewed into the air by automobiles, power plants and factories is not greatly reduced and quickly, the earth and its inhabitants will experience catastrophic consequences in the not too distant future. This paper will discuss the viability of various alternative fuels such as hydrogen, bio- fuels, solar, geothermal and nuclear sources which if put into practice on a wide scale would significantly reduce air pollution and perhaps circumvent the predicted effects. One solution to reducing automobile emissions may be found in vegetable fields. The conversion of corn or beets into ethanol is promoted by scientists as an environmentally and economically sound solution to global climate change concerns. However, this is hardly a new revelation. Rudolf Diesel, in 1897, fifteen years after the inventing the engine named after him said “The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal products of the present time” (Boles, 2005). Vegetable oil is used extensively in Brazil and a promising alternative to crude oil because it can be substituted directly 100 percent for diesel fuel. Ethanol, a vegetable by-product is an effective gasoline additive. Ethanol is a kind of alcohol that can be produced using crops such as wheat, corn and sugar beets. As a fuel additive, ethanol increases octane levels and significantly reduces poisonous carbon monoxide emissions. Bio-fuels are derived from a readily accessible source and emit no pollutants. The most familiar kind, Ethanol, is a vegetable oil which is most often be mixed with gasoline and bio-diesel. It can be burned by diesel engines without altering the engine. Ethanol, a ‘green’ fuel, could be used as a bridge to the future of consumption and energy production because it can be used in existing engines unlike hydrogen. Another by-product of the bio-fuels industry is tit will ‘fuel’ the growth of agricultural businesses. Regrettably, it takes significantly more energy (from high-grade gasoline) to create ethanol than it produces. It takes approximately70 percent more energy to produce a gallon of ethanol than is contained in a gallon of ethanol. In addition, “fossil fuel is used in the production of corn or any crop used for ethanol and by increasing ethanol production will increase degradation of vital agricultural and water resources and will seriously contribute to the pollution of the environment” (Pimentel, 1998, p. 5). European country’s both produce and consume close to 90 percent of the world’s bio-fuel. Brazil makes up most of the remaining 10 percent. Brazil produces more bio-fuel than it consumes and does not import crude oil. The South American nation is energy independent and among the lowest producers, by capita, of greenhouse gasses. The quantity of bio-fuels produced and consumed is predicted to grow significantly over the next decade. “It is possible that (bio-fuels) could represent as much as 20 percent of all on-road diesel used in Brazil, Europe, China and India by the year 2020” (“Biodiesel”, 2006). In the U.S., the production of bio-fuels grew six-times during a two year period this decade. Many other countries expect to increase production as well. “Europe, Brazil, China and India each have targets to replace from five to 20 percent of total diesel with (bio-fuel)” (“Biodiesel”, 2006). Energy generated from hydrogen gas, an environmentally friendly substance, is a much discussed source of energy. Iceland was the first nation to utilize hydrogen fuel-cells to generate its power needs. A fuel cell is a battery that is continually recharging while an electrical current is generated by introducing oxygen to hydrogen, a combination that generates energy. Although hydrogen powered transportation is not yet accessible to the public, developers are beyond the preliminary research and development stage and are currently being demonstrated for both light and heavy-duty load applications. Hydrogen, the ‘H’ in H2O, is found in water. This resource is limitless and rather than emitting CO2, hydrogen discharges only water vapor. Extracting hydrogen is an expensive undertaking, however, and the gas is flammable, a safety concern especially while transporting large quantities. Other methods are available but not as practical. “The more widely used method is to split the hydrocarbons in fossil fuels into hydrogen and carbon. This is much cheaper but it defeats the point somewhat as it still uses fossil fuels and creates carbon dioxide as a by-product” (“Alternatives to Oil”, 2002). Using hydrogen-powered automobiles would greatly ease the amounts of pollution being pumped into the air. This same argument can also be successfully made in the case of bio-fuels. “The Energy White Paper (EWP) identifies liquid bio-fuels and hydrogen as the most promising candidates for tomorrow’s low carbon transport fuels” (“Towards a UK Strategy”, 2004). Geothermal energy is steam that comes directly from the earth. It powers electric producing plants and other less complex applications as well. This energy source is abundant, sustainable and inexpensive way to decrease the use of fossil fuels. Geothermal energy supplies about five percent of the total electric usage in California, 25 percent in the country of El Salvador. Iceland utilizes its massive resources of geothermal heat in various power applications and to warm many buildings. The State of Idaho is another large user of this naturally occurring power source. The benefits are being realized all across the country. “In thousands of homes and buildings across the United States, geothermal heat pumps use the steady temperatures just underground to heat and cool buildings, cleanly and inexpensively. Geothermal energy has the potential to play a significant role in moving the United States (and other regions of the world) toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy system” (“Geothermal Energy”, 2006). Electricity is no longer less expensive to make by fossil fuels than by geothermal means. Advancements in technology the past quarter century have allowed this kind of energy to create electricity at about five cents per kilowatt hour which competes with coal-fired plants (“Comparative Cost”, 2003). Geothermal energy remains a virtually untapped resource despite of its widespread affordability, availability and lack of damage it causes to the atmosphere. Solar power is used extensively. This natural energy source powers hand-held calculators and entire building complexes and broadly projected to develop greatly as an energy source in the future. Solar energy supplies electrical power to many hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. The advantages of using solar power over fossil fuels are evident. It is an non-polluting, abundant and free energy source as long as the sun shines. The sun supplies the earth with 10,000 times more energy than can be consumed by its people. However, this resource remains effectively untapped. Its expense is unaffordable for most people but this is changing over time. “Solar power is a prime choice in developing an affordable, feasible, global power source that is able to substitute for fossil fuels in all climate zones around the world” (“Solar Generation”, 2003). If the people and therefore governments of the world sincerely want to significantly reduce the burning of fossil fuels, alternative fuels and renewable energy must be implemented on a much grander scale. However, these two types of energy will not alone be able to replace oil and coal as the common power sources and the levels of greenhouse gasses will continue to rise. Consequently, many have recommended nuclear power plants be built to replace coal burning electric plants. “Nuclear energy is a clean, safe, reliable and competitive energy source. It is the only source of energy that can replace a significant part of the fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) which massively pollute the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect” (Comby, 2006). Nuclear plants could supply all the electricity needed to power all businesses, residences and also provide power for electric cars. Scientists make a strong case for nuclear power saying it is the only feasible substitute that could replace the immense power needs of the earth soon enough to save it from the harsher effects of climate change. The environmentalists who are against nuclear power might consider that this may be the only method in which to avoid its irreversible affects. The concerns generally centers on the disposal of nuclear waste. “Nuclear waste is to be deposited in deep geological storage sites; it does not enter the biosphere. Its impact on the ecosystems is minimal. An intelligent combination of energy conservation, and renewable energies for local low-intensity applications, and nuclear energy for base-load electricity production, is the only viable way for the future” (Comby, 2006). Some point to the possible contamination and deaths resulting from nuclear plant melt-downs. To date, only the Chernobyl nuclear power plant caused deaths. Contrast the safety record of coal mines to the safety record of nuclear power plants. Nuclear has proven much safer for the environment than oil. Recall the months millions of gallons of oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico last year. Nuclear energy has been proven safe and waste is insignificant. “Nuclear energy produces no CO2 and the volume of nuclear waste produced is very small, a typical family’s use of nuclear energy over a whole lifetime produces vitrified waste the size of a golf ball” (Comby, 2006). To accelerate the process of lessening the world’s addiction to and dependence on oil, an innovative idea has been suggested. The developed nations, those who have benefited by fossil fuel use the most, should the lead the way in the alternative fuel use by enacting and enforcing worldwide treaties and pacts. Less developed nations would be entirely exempt from environmental regulation. Because the industrialized countries are accountable for more than 90 percent of greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions, this system would help to balance the earth on an economical and environmental level. The developing countries would make the transformation as production and worldwide usage of alternative fuels increased. A sensible community of countries would have reacted to this serious energy predicament 30 years ago. What we confront 30 years from now is unclear but we do know gasoline won’t play a major part of our fuel production or consumption. The question is not if we’ll use alternative forms of energy but what type and how soon. References “Alternatives to Oil.” (2002). Disposable Planet? BBC News UK. Accessed March 6, 2011 from “Biodiesel 2020: Multi-Client Study.” (October, 2006). Global Market Survey, Case Studies and Forecasts. Emerging Markets Online. Accessed March 6, 2011 from Boles, Tracey & Orange, Richard. (October 3, 2005). “Where Do You Get Your Energy From?: Latest on Alternative Liquid Fuels.” The Business. Comby, Bruno. (October 2, 2006). “The Benefits of Nuclear Energy.” TNR Editions. Accessed March 6, 2011 from “Comparative Cost of California Central Station Electricity Generation Technologies, Final Staff Report.” (June 2003). California Energy Commission (CEC). Accessed March 6, 2011 from “Geothermal Energy: Tapping the Energy in the Earth’s Core.” (2006). Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). Accessed March 6, 2011 from Pimentel, D. “Energy and Dollar Costs of Ethanol Production with Corn.” (1998). Hubbert Center Newsletter. Vol. 98, I. 2. M, King Hubbert Center for Petroleum Supply Studies Rockwell, Richard, C. (1998). “From a Carbon Economy To A Mixed Economy: A Global Opportunity.” Consequences. Vol. 4, N. 1, Accessed March 6, 2011 from “Solar Generation Report.” (July 10, 2003). Greenpeace. Accessed March 6, 2011 from “Towards a UK Strategy for Biofuels – Public Consultation.” (2004). Department for Transport UK. Accessed March 6, 2011 from Read More