Earth is being destroyed day by day because of the use of carbon dioxide emitting pollutants generated by fossil fuels and coal. Climate change is caused by non-renewable energy that relies on burning fossil fuels and coal. The United States is the second most carbon dioxide emitting country worldwide next to China according to the US Department of Energy. “In 2016, emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced from burning fossil fuels for energy were equal to 76% of total U.S. anthropogenic GHG emissions.” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) Anthropogenic emissions are emissions resulting from human activities. The United States of America must take a stance against non-renewable energy as our #1 leading energy source and start switching to cleaner and sustainable energy sources. America can switch to renewable energy as our #1 energy resource and credible research proves it. A Stanford study has specific plans for every state in the U.S. to become 100% clean energy-bound. We the people of the United States, must open our eyes to science and make a change that could help save our earth from this catastrophic disaster which has already begun. We can start by shifting our energy sources now.
Non-renewable energy created by burning fossil fuels and coal contributes immensely to climate change, destroys our environment, and negatively affects public health. Direct consequences of these energy sources have created many natural disasters around the world, which have destroyed cities, families, and their homes. “America sits alongside China and India in suffering the greatest number of natural disasters globally between 1995 and 2015.” (The Economist) Global temperatures have increased at a rapid pace since 1975 according to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. This causes ice glaciers to melt, sea levels to rise, and heat waves. Global consequences will continue and worsen if we don't cut back on our use of pollutants that emit carbon dioxide. “Earth's average temperature will rise between 2 and 12 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100.” (U.S. Department of Energy) If this rise in temperature continues, it will destroy the natural habitats of many animals and leave them to become extinct. “It's estimated that a change of just two degrees in average global temperature could result in sea level rise, lower crop yields, increased rainfall and flooding, more wildfires, and other negative environmental impacts.” (U.S. Department of Energy) Not only is this temperature rise negatively impacting our environment, but it will also hurt our health by making us prone to malaria and respiratory diseases. This should be a chief concern of the U.S., and policies should be implemented to increase the use of renewable energy sources and help slow the progression of rising temperatures.
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We must shift from non-renewable, unsustainable, and polluting energy to renewable clean energy. “ In 2018, about 4,178 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) (or 4.18 trillion kWh) of electricity were generated at utility-scale electricity generation facilities in the United States. About 63% of this electricity generation was from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases). About 20% was from nuclear energy, and about 17% was from renewable energy sources. ” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) Renewable energy consists of a mixture of options such as biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar energy. Biomass energy is produced from non-fossilized plant materials such as wood, wood waste, corn, and municipal solid waste. This source of energy can be used to heat buildings, fuel vehicles, and produce electricity. “Biomass was the source of about 2% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2018.” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) Hydropower energy is the production of energy from flowing water. The two main types of hydropower energy sources are conventional hydropower and pump storage systems. Conventional hydropower uses the flow of water from dams and streams to turn turbines and create electricity. Pump storage systems create electricity by moving water from reservoirs at different elevations to create movement of water that makes energy. “In 2018, hydroelectricity accounted for about 7% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation.” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) Wind energy uses wind turbines to collect the wind's kinetic energy. The wind turns the blades, which trigger the movement of the generator inside of the base to produce energy. “ In 2018 wind energy was the source of about 7% of total U.S. electricity generation.” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) Solar energy uses radiation from the sun to create energy and heat. There are three main types of solar energy systems which are solar thermal, solar thermal power plants, and photovoltaic systems. Solar thermal systems use solar collectors to create energy that produces heat for water and air. Solar thermal power plants use solar collectors that heat fluid to a high temperature to create steam that pushes the turbines to generate energy. Photovoltaic systems use solar electric cells that convert solar radiation directly to energy. “Solar energy provided about 2% of total U.S. electricity in 2018” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) Geothermal energy takes heat from the earth and creates it into energy. To get this energy, wells are drilled into the Earth bringing hot steam or water to the surface to power steam turbines that create electricity. “Geothermal power plants produced less than 1% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2018.” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) Each of these options produces none to minimal carbon dioxide and other pollutants. The U.S. is not using nearly enough of these alternative Earth-friendly options and there must be actions taken to change this.
The Solution Project is a study that was done at Stanford University that proves the viability of the U.S. transitioning to 100% clean energy. It has detailed plans for every state and large city to do so by 2050. If the U.S. were to use 100% renewable clean energy, it would positively impact our economy, reduce our carbon footprint, and improve public health. Implementation of the solution project plan would create opportunities that would employ over 4 million Americans for 40 years. It would also reduce the cost of energy, health, and climate by $8,316 per person and reduce energy demands by 45%. Over 45,000 lives are lost each year because of air pollution, and we could save them by changing the amount of pollutants we put in our atmosphere and the toxic gases we emit by using non-renewable energy. This Solution Project would pay for itself in as little as 3.2 years from air pollution and climate cost savings and add $602.24 billion to our country’s GDP per year. This Stanford study has convinced countries such as Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Paraguay, Scotland, Uruguay, Costa Rica, plus many cities around the world to work toward transitioning to 100% clean renewable energy. The U.S. as a country must join this trend now.
Opponents of renewable energy may say that the switch to 100% renewable energy is cost-prohibitive. The transition to 100% renewable energy will indeed require a hefty investment. Fossil fuel usage has been embedded in our culture for years and is known to be cheaper than renewable energy. However this claim is a broadly held misconception, solar energy has become a close competitor price-wise to fossil fuel and is the most expensive renewable energy source among other options. According to Forbes Magazine, fossil fuel costs range from $0.05 to $0.17 per KwH and concentrated solar power (the most expensive renewable energy resource) is around $0.10/kWh to $0.27/kWh and is predicted to become cheaper than fossil fuel in the next year.
Our Earth is being destroyed before our eyes and the US as the world superpower must set an example for the rest of the world to change. Renewable energy is the start of a change that will help reduce climate change, save natural habitats, and improve public health. There are many better options today for energy other than non-renewable unclean energy to choose from, and these alternate options are only getting cleaner, cheaper, faster, and stronger. There is data to prove the benefits of clean energy and plans to become 100% renewable by 2050. Renewable energy adds great value to our Earth's well-being and it's everyone's job to keep our home thriving. Antagonists need to consider scientific, technological, and economic data and trends. The need and viability to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and transition to 100% renewable clean energy is here and now. It is technologically possible, economically practical, and necessary to protect the Earth for generations to come.
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