Clean Energy In The United States

Carbon emissions are changing the planet for the worse. Energy production (mostly coal) is producing a one third of the US 's global warming emissions. Renewable sources produce little to zero percent. The balance of coal and renewable energy in the U.S. needs to be evened out with renewable techniques. Statistics from the Union of Concerned Scientist’s “Benefits of Renewable Energy Use” show that most renewable resources emit less than one pound of CO2E/kWh. These have significantly less of a carbon footprint than coal, which emits 1.4 to 3.6 lbs. CO2E/kWh or natural gas, which emits .6 to 2 lbs. CO2E/kWh. This impressive difference of carbon emissions between renewable and fossil fuel is the key to caring for our environment. A 2009 USC study found that if 25 percent of the US 's

Shifting the majority of energy consumption in the U.S. to clean energy would affect people and businesses both in and outside of the nation. This inevitably creates concern surrounding the topic and causes delays due to necessary controversy and questioning. While plenty of concerns are valid, others have been answered by studies and reports by various organizations but have yet to reach the public in masses.

Climate change is an issue that has plagued the minds of humans for centuries. The issue goes back as far as the ancient Greeks, who thought that cutting down forests could lead to more rain. We have always been preoccupied with the topic, and now finally we have evidence that it is in fact happening. We have to work towards lessening the effects that climate change has on our society and combat the reluctance of our government to change our nation’s methods of getting energy. In, “A Climate Repair Manual,” by Gary Stix, he urges Americans to change their ways and use more renewable sources of energy.

The dichotomy of climate change can divide the world down the middle. Those who believe in climate change advocate for earth-friendly policy to better the environment and help society as a whole. Those who believe the evidence does not support a climate change theory simply ignore scientists and do not advocate for any type of change in living. However, change is necessary to preserve the planet and maintain the modern democracy- not just in the US, but in the world. Those who deny climate change also deny the chance for cleaner, eventually cheaper energy, long-term jobs, healthier lifestyles, and greater unity between nations. The best and most efficient way to control the path to sustainable, green living is through the government.

Since climate change unfolds over long periods of time, we tend to overlook the dangerous outcomes; we focus and react to immediate, urgent events instead like our kids or bills. Although scientists have agreed that climate change has significantly altered the atmosphere, we still don’t have a majority of the population taking action. We need to restraint ourselves from using fossil-fuels and fracking before we reach an irreversible tipping point and to protect our way of life, our children, and future generations (Keya Chatterjee, Disruption video). Global warming is determining every aspect of our lives, and if we don’t acknowledge this environmental issue and take action, we will not live, we will die. Alternatively, a post-carbon environment is definitely within our grasp, with 100% renewable energy sources. A change to friendly energy doesn’t mean economic instability; we’ll still have job opportunities installing solar panels and wind turbines, for example. Although we need political will from world leaders, in order to establish this transition, we as individuals must take action and get

Energy has been a huge problem in the past decade in the United States, primarily because of global warming and climate change. Clinton said, “I won’t let anyone take us backward, deny our economy the benefits of harnessing a clean energy future, or force our children to endure the catastrophe that would result from unchecked climate change.” Hillary Clinton has proposed two main national goals to fight climate change, create jobs, protect the health of American families, and make the United States of America the world’s clean energy superpower. The first goal that Secretary Clinton proposes is to have more than 500 million solar panels installed by the end of her first term- this will create good-paying jobs. This will also cut energy waste in homes, schools, and hospitals by a third, as well as reduce American oil consumption by a third- energy will be secured by reducing the amount of oil consumed in the United States and around the world. Her second goal is to provide enough clean renewable energy to power every single home in the United States within ten years of taking office.

What do we know about our energy sources and how our energy choices affect the environment? Many people still do not put much though into this topic or pay any attention to the amount of energy they use or where it comes from. For some it is just willful negligence, but for many others it may be due to a lack of knowledge on the subject. Perhaps it is a good idea to pay closer attention and educate ourselves so we can make informed decisions that may lead to less stress on our wallets and on our environment. In order to make a change, we should observe our currently used energy sources in everyday life, the impact of increasing energy uses, and observe all of the alternative options available to us.

The science behind the Clean Power Plan shows the importance of reducing carbon emissions. High carbon emissions have an impact on the environment, human health as well as the economy. If carbon emissions are not reduced, climate change will continue to create problems. Average temperatures will increase, storms and heat waves are likely to increase in frequency and intensity, and sea levels may rise. These extreme weather events could lead to increased health risks such as cardiovascular and respiratory problems as well as certain cancers. Furthermore, due to changed weather patterns, agriculture, forestry, recreation and tourism can be impacted. Therefore, damage to the economy will also occur. In addition, these storms could cause damage to infrastructure (“Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions”). Due to the severity of the environmental, health and economic problems carbon emissions can cause, the Obama Administration is moving to advance the Clean Power Plan.

Since, fossil fuels have been a part of our environment for some time now, they have been the main resource we’ve needed and used to keep our country running. The truth of the matter is, since we obtain fossil fuels from plants and animals that lived millions of years ago they will soon be gone. As indicated by Eric McLamb, founder, chief executive officer, and president of the ecology communications group, “The problem is fossil fuels are nonrenewable. They are limited in supply and will one day be depleted.” People realize that the crisis of running out of fossil fuels is upon us; however, these same people are timid about moving on to renewable energy. One main reason is because individuals do not believe renewable energy is cost efficient. For instance, solar energy is known to be fairly expensive, particularly more expensive than the conventional energy used now, which makes people uncertain about changing to renewable energy.

Since the 1700 Industrial Revolution, carbon dioxide emissions have increased up to 34% in the atmosphere (Josef 1). With numbers still rising, the emissions could have a much more harmful effect on the Earth, causing serious problems in the long run. In fact, just between 2008 and 2012, the CO2 emissions have increased by 8.4% (“11 Facts about Global Warming 2). From just that increase in four years, the next four will be a wake up to reality for people to start conserving the Earth. Every year, human’s activities release about 37 billion metric tons (“35 Facts about Global Warming” 3). New machinery and buildings are going to keep popping up, rising the CO2 levels even more. Humans need to start minimizing their resources. “In the last three decades, the United States has had an average of 80% consumption of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil; all of which contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases” (1). All of these emissions are human-based problems that can be decreased. The CO2 emissions each year will keep rising and no matter how helpful the resource are, it will damage the world eventually.

Climate change is a dilemma in which anticipated too long to resolute, Earth will forever be damaged; bringing life on Earth to a permanent transition in an unfavorable state. With many contributing factors to climate change, humans have generated numerous amounts of damage, rather than showing an effort to save the atmosphere. Believe it or not, climate change is a contributing factor on human lifespan, potentially lowering the average amount of time each human spends on Earth. On the contrary, many companies like Greenpeace have scrutinized climate change and found affordable ways in cleaning our environment. Companies like Greenpeace offer a very reasonable pricing that could transpire economies positively rather than negatively. Generally speaking, finding a solution to climate change should be the main thought for each and every person’s mind; being that personal health and consideration for future generations have more of an impact than other issues in society today.

For starters, modern economy relies heavily on fossil fuels, which is a main resource that contributes to global warming. Adopting renewable energy might sharply reduce GHG emissions. However, according to international energy agency, “switching from fossil fuels to low-carbon sources of energy will cost $44 trillion between now and 2050”(IEA, 2009). In case 44 trillion is too abstract, 1 trillion dollar can fill up an entire soccer field and stack more than 10 feet high. This cost could be intimidating for any country. Moreover, the cost also depends on how long it takes for us to start reducing emissions. “The IPCC report showed that continuing to hold off on reducing emissions could increase costs by 40 percent” (IPCC, 2008) For developing countries, this cost would be a financial burden and a limiting reagent on GDP growth. Socially, civilian’s life quality will be affected by the GDP reduction. As a result, it becomes more challenging for countries to take initiative in addressing this problem. The question eventually came down to whom should bear the astronomical cost? Are we willing to invest in something that might cost more than its benefits?

For centuries, the issue of global warming has been a great concern for citizens in all cultures. Many suggest that becoming environmentally aware is the solution to preventing this constant climate change in our environment. However, individuals relentlessly dismiss the issue by being nonchalant and inconsiderate. Furthermore, going green has generated intense controversy: some feel strongly that their individual contribution to society is worthless; while, others firmly advocate that becoming ecologically aware helps prevent possible changes in the atmosphere, resulting from global warming. Certainly, going green can prevent climate change in our environment by conserving energy, by reducing the health risks associated with global

Gas prices have hit $6.00 a gallon! That is a scary thought, but reality is if we don’t start conserving our energy sources now, that is exactly what we will get gas for $6.00 a gallon or maybe even more. In today’s society we are only worried about the here, and the now. We all need to start thinking long term and come up with ideas for preserving our future. In the United States the industries use up about forty two percent of the nation’s total energy consumption (Berg and Hager 2007). The more developed a nation is the more energy it uses.

The New Energy (TNE), is India’s one of the top 5 full-service solar provider. We make clean energy available to homeowners, businesses, schools, non-profits and government organizations at a lower cost than they pay for energy generated by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas.