Energy Alternatives

Energy is important at a biological level to sustain life, and at a societal level to sustain lifestyle. From
the discovery of fire to the Nuclear Age, energy consumption has changed over the years, and has also
changed the planet. Use of fossil fuels is largely to blame for an increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide
and accompanying changes in climate. The search for reliable, alternative energy sources leads down
many paths, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Over the next few weeks, we will examine
several energy sources in an attempt to determine which the “greenest” is.

Before examining the benefits and drawbacks of alternative energies, a look at what they are an
alternative to, fossil fuels- petroleum, coal, and natural gas- is in order. Fossil fuels are still in use
because they are relatively cheap, easily refined, and provide many jobs.

Oil drilling (Bureau of Land Management)

The drawbacks of fossil fuels, in addition to the carbon dioxide output, is other environmental
degradation associated with extraction and transport. Finally, because it is a finite source, eventually
the supply will run out. As supply drops, more invasive techniques will be used to extract ever scarcer
supplies and price will go up.

Environmental impacts of drilling for oil and gas include habitat loss at the well site and access roads; noise pollution; air pollution from generators, vehicles, gas flaring, and particle matter; soil disturbance; increased erosion from vegetation loss; increased solid and industrial wastes; degraded water quality from runoff of soil and residues; and oil spills. There are also problems from end-use: air pollution, increased carbon emissions, contamination such as may be found at gas stations, and plastic litter (most plastics are petroleum-based).

Mountaintop removal coal mine (Center for Biological Diversity)

After all the environmental and health issues related to fossil fuels, it seems clear that we need an alternative energy source. There are plenty of green alternatives, which we will explore, starting with hydroelectric next week.