Here is a discussion I wrote for my Plant Biology class in college, in which I picked a fossil fuels article to write about and then explained my perspective on it:
Coal is formed from the remains of plants that lived up to 400 million years ago. These plants, which are decayed, are called peat. Specifically, coal is formed when peat is physically or chemically altered (bacterial decay, compaction, heat, time) in a process called “coalification.” Today the United States leads in recoverable coal reserves - over 260 billion short tons. Despite the environmental threats coal poses, we still use coal today, because of several reasons: 1. It is cheap, 2. It is efficient, and 3. It is abundant. In USD/st, coal is priced at 56.62. In comparison, in USD/bbl, crude oil is priced at 102.14, and in USD/mmbtu, natural gas is priced at 4.21. The graph below shows the projected energy demand until 2030. In the future, in order to give up coal, the world will need to switch to alternative energy sources. This means that coal companies and coal miners will be out of a job; however, more jobs for alternative energy sources will become available in its place.
Eric McLamb’s article “Energy’s Future Today” discusses fossil fuels, the environment, and potential future alternate energy resources. McLamb opens with an explanation of what fossil fuels are: coal, oil, and natural gas, which as explained above, formed from the decay of dead plants from millions of years ago. McLamb explains that these energy resources will eventually deplete, and then the world will need alternate resources for energy. McLamb also explains the environmental impact that fossil fuels have, as the combustion of fossil fuels is the main emitter of greenhouse gases, which is the leading cause of global warming. McLamb explains some of the terrifying effects of global warming, such as the melting of the polar ice caps, which will change the composition of the surrounding water. Regardless of the impact that fossil fuels make on the environment, they will be depleted in anywhere between 50-120 years. What everyone also has to keep in mind is the incredible population growth the world has seen lately, and this causes a continuous rise in the need for energy. McLamb explains the efficiency of solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power, and biomass energy, since they are renewable and non-polluting. They are much better for the environment, and no one has to worry about their depletion. According to the Europena Photovoltaic Industry Association, “solar power could provide energy for more than 1 billion people by 2020 and 26 percent of global energy needs by 2040.” Renewable energy is the way the world will have to go, or else there are going to be some major problems in the future.
I believe exactly what the article says, which is one of the reasons I chose it. I do, however, also believe that people are idiots and will not change their ways until they are absolutely forced to do so. I have rallied for alternate energy resources since I first learned about global warming as a child, and tons of people simply do not listen or do not even believe in global warming. However, I do believe fossil fuels are not long for this world, and once they are gone, people will have to start believing and making changes, because they will have no other choice. It is understandable that nobody wants to believe the world is having such problems, and that people will not be able to live as comfortably as they have been forever. But, in all honesty, I am a big believer in “Survival of the Fittest.” Once fossil fuels are depleted, people will find other sources of energy and will survive, because it is our instincts to do so. That is not to say that people will have an easy time doing it. It will be difficult, and drastic changes will have to be made, but I do believe it is possible. However, I also believe changes need to be made immediately. The world needs to become more dependent on solar, wind, water, and biomass energy, and it needs to become less dependent on fossil fuels. If you asked me what will happen in the future, I would have no better answer for you than “we shall see.”
Bibliography
- http://www.ecology.com/2011/09/06/fossil-fuels-vs-renewable-energy-resources/
- https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=910&bih=444&q=projected+energy+demand&oq=projected+energy+demand&gs_l=img.3..0i24.604.3297.0.3481.23.10.0.13.13.0.65.340.10.10.0...0.0...1ac.1.9.img.CJgvLIGhvTI#imgrc=T_HMIISA0YLX0M%3A%3Bi6qND0uh4m6uaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.kids.esdb.bg%252Fimages%252Fworld_energy_demand.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.kids.esdb.bg%252Fusesectors.html%3B485%3B387
- http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/coalform.htm
- http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=2930
- http://www.infomine.com/investment/metal-prices/coal/
**NOTE: I also wanted to include this article entitled “5 Breakthroughs That Will Make Solar Power Cheaper Than Coal,” because it is interesting and insightful: http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/blogs/5-breakthroughs-that-will-make-solar-power-cheaper-than-coal.
Projected energy demand until 2030.
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