Why do we think the switch to renewable resources is the best option for our Earth? The 18th century was a time of great success. At the same time this success came at a cost. The industrial revolution brought production to maximum speed by machines. Items such as clothes and cotton could be cleaned and made in just minutes rather then hours. How did the production increase? Fossil fuels are burned to release gas which then turns a turbine to run these machines The burning of fossil fuels, which increased dramatically during the Industrial Revolution, releases gas that can harm our Earth in many different ways. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources that at some point will run out because they cannot be created as fast as they are being used. Knowing they will eventually run out affects us because we have to be smart about how they are used. That is why it is important that people know about the effects of fossil fuels and why the switch to renewable resources is so vital.

To this day the Earths temperature as increased an average of 0.6° Celsius in the past 100 years(Bergman). The rise in temperature over the years have caused ice glaciers to melt and an expansion of warmer water, because of this sea levels have risen almost 15cm since the 1900s(Bergman). The glaciers melting affect the habitats of all types of animals that live in this area. When glaciers melt it changes their homes and their food sources making it a struggle for them to survive. Warmer water also affects the sea life. Coral in the water need a certain temperature to survive. When water gets to warm it can kill the coral or change its color. When coral die it affects other sea life because that’s where they take shelter from predators. The problem is if we do nothing conditions could get worse. Predict the future is a very hard thing to do including with Earth. With that being said scientist predict that earth could heat up about 4° Celsius and the oceans could rise 26-82cm in the next 100 years if there is no change(News). This could lead to intense heat waves and extremes amounts of flooding. The Flooding would ruin millions of homes as well as destroy all types of wildlife’s. The extreme ocean temperatures would to the destruction of corals reefs and many other forms of marine life. Nobody wants their homes to be destroyed and wildlife don’t deserve to become extinct based on our actions. That is why the desire for change is needed now more then ever.

When the suns rays hit earth, naturally some of the rays of heat are reflected back into space. During this process there are gases that act as an insulation for Earth. The different types of greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons(EPA). Methane is a gas that is released due to decomposition such as animals dying or defecating(EPA). Nitrous oxide is released when creating commercial fertilizer(EPA). Fluorinated gases are synthetic compounds that destroy the ozone layer (EPA). The main greenhouse gas that we need to focus on is carbon dioxide. This is because carbon dioxide is mostly human caused and can be reduced. Overtime there has been introduction of many different types of technology that involved the burning of fossil fuels. There are many different types of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. But there are also four distinctive types of coal; Anthracite, Bituminous, Subbituminous, and Lignite(udemy). Anthracite is the best form of coal while Lignite is the worst form of coal. Oil is one of the most talked about because it involves gas prices which often directly affect humans(udemy). Natural gas is one of the best fossil fuels because it is cleaner and easier to transport because it is a gas. When fossil fuels are burned they release gases such as carbon dioxide. The burning of fossil fuels that releases carbon dioxide into the air, which acts as an insulation to heat up earth even more. The more greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere the slower amount of time it takes for the heat to leave earth. This is important because carbon dioxide is released based on things we do everyday such as; transportation, the use of electricity, manufacturing goods, and agriculture. Every time each one of these items is used it releases a certain amount of carbon dioxide in to the atmosphere. There are over 7 billion people on Earth and a majority of those people at least one of the primary producers of CO2. The release of carbon dioxide by individuals may be small, but with such a large population it adds up. That is why the switch to renewable resources is so important and such a big topic to this day.

To help reduce the use of fossil fuels there are many different types of renewable energy. The main types of land based renewable energies are solar, wind and geothermal. Each one has its own strength’s and weakness’s that go along with it. The first major forms of land based renewable energy is solar. Solar energy is renewable long lasting because the sun doesn’t run out. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to capture sun radiation which is then transferred to electricity(Kadar). Solar panels also require very low amounts of maintenance and are fairly easy to install(Kadar). Solar panels are also popular because they can be placed on top large buildings or houses so they do not become an eye sore. The disadvantages to solar energy are that solar radiation can not be captured during the nighttime and only capture small amounts of radiation during cloudy or stormy weather. Solar panels also are optimized when facing the sun directly(Kadar). This can be hard with the Earth’s rotation. Lastly, creating the photovoltaic cells used to power solar panels can be very dangerous and even release toxins into the atmosphere(Kadar). With that being said Solar panels after initial payments provide users with free energy. The next main form of renewable energy is wind. Wind turbines create electricity by turning a generator caused by the wind. The advantages of wind energy are they create a clean and efficient for of energy(Lakatos). They also can be located about anywhere there is wind. Wind turbines are also the cheapest form of renewable energy. The disadvantages to wind energy are they only create energy when there is wind. They also can be seen as an eye sore but can be placed in remote areas to solve that problem. Wind turbines can also make lots of noise and harm wild life(Lakatos). Wind turbines are usually used is in big group. When they are in groups they are called wind farms. Wind farms are usually in remote areas so the wind can be maximized. Being in remote areas it can be harder and more expensive to transport the energy to the bigger cities that are located further away(Lakatos). The last main form of land based renewable energy is Geothermal. Geothermal energy is heat that is stored and created in the earth. The earth’s heat comes from radioactive decay and can reach extreme amount of temperatures(geo). Geothermal power plants work by using earth’s extreme temperatures to heat and evaporate water which then will turn a generator to create energy(Kadar). Geothermal energy has pros like it is naturally replenished and is clean for the environment(Kadar). It is also takes up little space because a majority of it is built underground(Kadar). There are also tons of energy that can be harnessed because earth is so hot. With that being said there are also many negative affects associated with geothermal power plants. Affects include earthquakes that can be caused by the geothermal power plants. They are also very expensive upfront cost and they have to be placed in very specific locations(Kadar).

 There final is water based forms of renewable energy. These include hydropower and tidal power. Hydropower energy use dams to force the water to go through passage ways in the dam that have turbines that are spun due to the falling water. These turbines create energy when they are spun by the falling water. The advantage of hydropower is it doesn’t release bad carbons into the atmosphere when the energy is used(Darmawi). Once the dam is created it can create energy at a constant rate which is an advantage(Darmawi). The dam gates can be shut to stop the flow of water if electricity is no longer needed at the time. Lakes that form behind dams can also be used for water sports and tourist attractions. The disadvantage to hydro power and a dam is they are expensive to build and must be built to a high standard because the dangers are huge if the dam breaks. Building the dam floods the area behind the dam which causes land loss and natural environment is destroyed(Darmawi). Dams also affect the way animals who swim upstream to breed such as salmon(Darmawi). During mating season salmon are inhibited to swim upstream to reproduce because there is a big wall stopping them. The next form of water based renewable energy is tidal power. Tidal power creates energy from the tides in the ocean. The movement of the water due to the tide the turns turbines. The the high and low tide movement causes the turbines to turn and create energy. Tidal power is effective because it creates large amounts of energy that doesn’t pollute the atmosphere. The tides are also very predictable which means you know when you will get the energy(Middleton). The turbines can also create more energy then ones that may use air because the water is denser. Tidal power plants also last for long amounts of time which makes it a smart investment(Middleton). The downfall to tidal power is it has to be built close to land near beaches which takes up space(Middleton). It also impacts the marine life because there are turbines. Tidal power also may disrupt the regular tidal cycles.

With all that being said now we need to see which of leaders is trying to make a difference for the future. A majority of politics are trying to look out for the greater good of the people. With that being said there are also many who are out for the money. Oil and gas companies will pay millions of dollars to support political leaders who will think and say what they want. The Obama administration agreed to reduce and regulate the use of fossil fuels. With new leaders coming in these regulations are being abolished(washingtonpost). The main party that generally pushes for renewable energy and cleaner energy is the Democratic party. With that being said there are two very different parties with separate views because of money. This makes it very hard for anything to get passed that can make a change in our environment.

On the other hand, many European countries are doing what it takes to make a change. “The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that Europe’s energy import dependence will increase in the future, reaching 90% in 2035” (Bointner). The governments there are coming together to make investment plans on how to raise money. They realize it is not going to be easy or happen overnight but they know they need to make a change. If all of Europe could get to 90% renewable energy, we should be able to get to it to.

China is one of the most populated countries on Earth. Leonardo DiCaprio visits China and talks to executives about how they plan on making the change to renewable resources(Natgeo). China is heavily reliant on fossil fuels and is paying the consequences for it. Their air is some of dirtiest around the world. Civilians wear mask so the industrial smog doesn’t get into their lungs and affect their body. Being one of the most populated countries the transition to renewable resources is going to be more challenging for them. 

Burlington Vermont is the first city in the U.S. to run on 100% renewable energy(TheGoodStuff). This was a huge step for Burlington as well as the state of Vermont. They are setting a prime example for other cities and states. A majority of their renewable energy comes from biomass. The city burns 600,000 tons of trees a year to power the city. Some may say there is no way burning that many trees could supply a city such as New York. Yes, that’s true but this city is taking steps in the right direction towards making a difference. There are other forms of renewable energy that could power a city such as solar power. There are tons of buildings where solar panels can be placed to capture energy from the sun. Now its time for other cities to do the same. Whatever it takes to make a difference as a whole for the the future. 

As one can see the need for change is need as soon as possible to stop the damage that is been done. With that being said there are things each person, city, state and country can do to make difference. One thing that works for one country might not work for another but that’s why there are multiple forms of renewable energy and more forms are coming. That is why it is important that people know about the effects of fossil fuels and why the switch to renewable resources is so vital.
