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Breyhauna Johnson
Instructor: Malcolm Campbell
English 1102
March 26, 2014
A Green World Awaits
As years pass, we constantly hear the topic of renewable energy and how it is being
integrated into our current system of energy production. Dictionary.com defines renewable
energy as any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, such as biomass,
solar, wind, tidal, wave and hydroelectric power that is not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel.
The fossil or nuclear fuel would be classified under nonrenewable energy, meaning once we run
out of these sources we are out of the supplies to produce energy. Although nonrenewable
sources are currently producing enough energy to meet our energy supply, soon we will need to
start relying more heavily on renewable sources to fulfill our energy needs. Renewable energy
will have to make up most of our energy production in the near future. According to the U.S.
Energy Information Administration, currently only about ten percent of world energy
consumption is from renewable energy sources. This number is expected to rise significantly
within the next decade, as each renewable energy source is being improved to provide better
efficiency and cost. As the worlds economy and environment continue to decline, people need
to continue looking into renewable energy resources to ensure a sustainable society for many
generations to come. Renewable energy sources will branch out and continue to provide benefits
globally through the improvement of the economy and the environment, while nonrenewable
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sources slowly deplete and the world no longer depends on them for the greater percentage of
energy.
The environment has seen increasingly detrimental damage as fossil fuels are
implemented for the production of energy for the worldly population. Many impacts are endured
including global warming and air, water and land pollution. Several gases are released in the
burning of fossil fuels, with carbon dioxide appearing the most abundantly. Carbon dioxide is a
gas that traps heat in the earths atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels has resulted in more than a
twenty-five percent increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere over the last 150
years. Over the last century, the average global surface temperature has risen 0.5-1.1 degrees
Fahrenheit. Scientists with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have concluded that
this rise in average temperature is likely to be completely unnatural by itself and human
interference on the global climate is evident (The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels). This statement
claims that humans have influenced the rise of temperature on earth and I believe this is most
likely from the burning of fossil fuels. Nonrenewable technologies such as coal, which a little
less than fifty percent of energy we consume comes from, releases large quantities of carbon
dioxide. As stated before, carbon dioxide traps heat, which would explain the earths average
temperature increase. The question, Why is an increase in the average global temperature a big
deal? may arise. Just a slight increase in the temperature can have major effects seen in many
areas. Flooding of areas around oceans like river deltas, wetlands and populated places may
occur due to the rise in sea-level, which may occur when giant ice glaciers melt (The Hidden
Cost of Fossil Fuels).
Besides global warming, there are other environmental impacts that nonrenewable
technologies inflict. In addition to carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere by the
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combustion of fossil fuels, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and hydrocarbons
are some other pollutants released. Smog buildup in many major cities is caused by the
combination of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons which form tropospheric ozone, the main
component of smog. These pollutants are not only harmful to the environment; humans are
inadvertently affected as well. Clean air is essential to maintaining health in a human body and
these pollutants may make that difficult. Burning fossil fuels also produces particulates, which
results in acid rain formation (The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels). Amanda Staudt, a Senior
Scientist in the Climate and Energy Program at National Wildlife Federation states, The
problem is that most of the energy infrastructure in the United States was built to withstand the
climate and weather extremes of the past, not the future. To date, there have been no
comprehensive efforts to carefully assess the vulnerability of our energy systems to these
threats. Staudt makes an excellent point; back then, we werent worried about the consequences
of producing energy, just the fact that we had it.
The BP oil spills arent really news to anyone. The last major spill happened just a
couple of years ago, which is still being cleaned up. People around the world depend on oil for
gas to run their vehicles. The explosion of a drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico has been said to
become The worst environmental disaster in U.S. history (100 Days of the BP Spill: A
Timeline). This spill, like any oil spill whether it be major or minor, is extremely dangerous to
the environment, as well as the endangerment to the people around these areas. Oil spills leave
waterways and their surrounding shores uninhabitable for long periods of time, killing varieties
of plant and animal life (The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels). The oil spills are just one example
of nonrenewable technologies destroying our land and water. Coal mining affects our
environment just as much, if not more. As water washes through mines, pyrite, a sulfur
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compound found in coal, forms a dilute acid which then carries on to nearby streams and rivers.
After mining is completed, the surrounding land remains barren unless land restoration is
ensured through a special process in which proper topsoil is used when the area is replanted
(The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels). Most mining companies are there for one job; to strip land
and obtain coal from it. Various laws have been out in place which require the replenishing (or
the best ability of it at least) of the land that was stripped. In places that do not require this, the
land is left like it is when the job is finished. Even when land is restored to meet standards, does
this sound like an appealing place to live in?
Where is the oil located that so many people worldwide depend on? Foreign dependency
on oil has resulted in many issues of its own. In the U.S., we obtain most of oil supply from the
Middle East. This has been a contributing factor to wars, like the Persian Gulf War, that we have
been involved in. Also, if there is a shortage, we dont have a way to control it. Suddenly our
fuel and tax prices rise, causing us to spend even more unnecessary money. Currently, about
one-third of oil supply in the U.S. comes from the Middle East, and if we do not start investing in
renewable technologies, two-thirds of our supply may be coming from the Middle East (The
Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels). These statistics are unappealing and nonsensical when we have
many renewable energy sources that we could invest in to wing off of these troublesome fossil
fuels.
In spite of the fact that there are a tremendous amount of detrimental impacts that
nonrenewable technologies cause, renewable technologies have a few damages as well.
Harnessing wind power is the cleanest and one of the most effective renewable technologies
today, but can have effects on bird and bat ecosystems. Collisions with wind turbines as well as
the change in air pressure and habitat disruption have caused several deaths within the bird and
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bat communities. Though this happens, the National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC)
concluded these impacts to be relatively low, not threatening the species population
(Environmental Impacts of Wind Power). The most common documented problems with wind
power are the sound and visual impacts. The aerodynamic and mechanical sounds have been
reported as being disturbing to people living near wind facilities. Wind turbines are also
unattractive, which can visually destroy a place. Like wind power, solar power also has some
environmental impacts. Larger utility-scale solar facilities have raised concerns with land
degradation and habitat loss. These larger Photovoltaic (PV) systems can range from 3.5 to 10
acres of land per megawatt produced. The main concern with the manufacturing of solar cells
for the PV system is the use of many hazardous materials. Chemicals including hydrochloric
acid, sulfuric acid, and acetone can be harmful to the environment and the people working if not
handled and disposed of properly (Environmental Impacts of Solar Power). Even though
renewable energy sources cause some damage, there isnt a perfect energy source. Furthermore,
the environment incurs a significantly less amount of damage with renewable technologies than
with nonrenewable technologies.
As environmental impacts of both renewable and nonrenewable technologies exist,
economic impacts are within reach as well. The combustion of fossil fuels has obviously worked
for the past century and a half. Burning coal is a lot cheaper than harvesting PV cells and
obtaining sunlight for energy conversion. This is why we have relied on sources like coal and oil
for so long; the prices have been incomparable. As Robert L. Bradley states in his publication to
the Cato Journal, new solar-power capacity is triple the cost of new gas-generated electricity
and quadruple the cost of surplus power. Although this statistic may have held true two
decades ago, utility-scale solar may be nearing a pivotal price threshold. According to Martin
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LaMonica with Greentech Media, Utility Xcel Energy chose solar and wind in its planning
process strictly for economic reasons instead to just meet Colorados renewable energy standard.
Utility-scale solar prices are becoming competitive with natural gas as PV systems are
improving, something that we never thought wed see.
As the utility-scale solar prices are improving, so are the residential solar prices. Solar
panels and PV systems are still an expensive route to go though, at least at first. The average
initial installation of a PV system in your home can range from $10,000-$20,000 in the U.S.
Most average Americans dont have this kind of money to drop. Although this investment may
seem expensive, it can save the average family so much money in the long run. Since most, if
not all, of the energy will be supplied from the solar panels, there wont be any more bills from
the electric companies. This is a benefit all in itself. The average family may be paying
anywhere from $120-$200 a month on electricity. Producing your own energy can save a family
anywhere from $1440-$2400 a year. At this rate, the buyback period of the initial investment in
a PV system is 10-20 years, assuming a loan was taken out and all fees are being paid back along
with the initial amount. On a small scale of energy production, this is as economically valuable
as it gets! With the continuing improvement of solar technology increasing comes the decrease
of price. Soon, the marketability of solar panels will be comparable in price with existing
nonrenewable technologies, making renewable technologies a no-brainer for our society.
The continuation of nonrenewable sources has put a dent in the United States wallet.
Extreme weather events already cost the country $17 billion a year on average (Staudt. Staudt
agrees that our heavy reliance on fossil fuels to produce energy is costing us too much money.
She goes on to talk about many different occurrences because of these weather events. More
frequent weather and climate extremes are contributing to the power outages occurring. Power
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outages cost the U.S. between $25 and $180 billion every year. As stated before, oil rigs are a
major environmental hazard. They are also a major threat as hurricanes intensify in the Gulf
region. The year that Hurricane Katrina hit, the energy industry estimated a total loss of $15
billion. These numbers are scary; no kidding the U.S. economy is crashing! Knowing that
nonrenewable resources are the main cause of these economic crises, why doesnt it make sense
to just integrate renewable energy into our lifestyles?
With the economy declining so rapidly in todays time, the job markets direct
relationship is affected. The number of jobs available in the United States has continually
decreased as the economy continues to crash. Renewable energy gives the job market a chance.
The Solar Foundation, an independent research organization, show a 13 percent growth in high-
skilled solar jobs spanning installations, sales, marketing, manufacturing and software
development, which is bringing in 119,000 jobs. It is estimated that more than a quarter million
highly-skilled solar workers will contribute to the U.S. economy (Solar Among the Fastest
Growing Job Markets in America). This is just the solar part of the renewable energy
technologies. Other technologies produce jobs, also. With all of these combined technologies
creating new jobs, the job market along with the economy will strive.
The concept of using alternative sources to produce energy isnt a new one. This dates
back to seventh century B.C. when people used magnifying glasses to start fires or burn
something (Sunshot Initiative). It may seem uneconomical at first to invest in solar panels for
a house (spending anywhere from $10,000-$20,000), or to invest in a brand new electric car ran
solely from electricity (spending anywhere from $17,000-$30,000). The amount of money saved
from these investments is incredulous though. Saving that extra $100-$200 a month that would
have been spent on the electric bill, and the $70 a week on gas can go a long way, especially in
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this economy. Nonrenewable technologies affect the economy as well as the environment. The
serious impacts are yet another reason why renewable energy is in our national interest (Staudt).
Renewable energy sources will soon be more eminent as nonrenewable sources continue to show
their true colors; the world will soon have no choice but to make the transition.
Breyhauna,
Youve written a fairly thorough essay about the various impacts of adopting
renewable energy sources. Whats missing is more of the opposing viewpoints. There are
plenty of groups out there who dispute the points you make, and you can probably find
them in your existing sources without too much effort. Given the time, address my
questions in the margins and try to include more of the opposition to your points and then
youll have a revised draft to upload to your portfolio before Monday night at 11:55 p.m.
Good work. Because of the lateness of this, the grade you earned is affected, and if
on time, it would have earned a good grade. Still, I wont deduct the entire penalty, which
would have resulted in a 0.
25/50

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Works Cited
"100 Days of the BP Spill: A Timeline." Time. Time Inc. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Bradley, Robert L., Jr. "Renewable Energy: Not Cheap, Not "Green"" Policy Analysis. Cato
Institute, 27 Aug. 1997. Web. 5 Mar. 2014.
"Environmental Impacts of Solar Power." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
"Environmental Impacts of Solar Power." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
"Environmental Impacts of Wind Power." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
"The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels." Union of Concerned Scientists. 29 Oct. 2002. Web. 20 Apr.
2014.
"How Much of World Energy Consumption and Electricity Generation Is from Renewable
Energy?" How Much of World Energy Consumption and Electricity Generation Is from
Renewable Energy? U.S. Energy Information Administration, 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Jan.
2014.
LaMonica, Martin. "Xcel Energy Buying Utility-Scale Solar at Prices Competitive With Natural
Gas." Greentechsolar. Greentechmedia, 02 Oct. 2013. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.
"Renewable Energy." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.
"Solar Among the Fastest Growing Job Markets in America." Energy.gov. 08 Nov. 2012. Web.
22 Apr. 2014.
Staudt, Amanda. "Climate Risk: Yet Another Reason to Choose Renewable Energy." Renewable
Energy World. National Wildlife Federation. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.