Are Alternative Energy Sources the Answer to Ending Human Dependence on Oil - Essay Example

Are alternative energy sources the answer to ending human dependence on oil? Mankind has explored different means of comfort and ease for itself throughout the history. In pursuit of comfort it has always searched for means of inventions and items which can make the human life more comfortable. The pace of such inventions took a big leap in form of industrial revolution. While these products have brought about revolution in the manner in which worldly affairs are conducted, they at the same time have created a race for constant need of energy sources for accomplishment of all these requirements. The pace of inventions is an unfolding one and experiments are conducted on daily basis for purpose of new inventions. Hence a constant surge in the demand level for energy resources. These machines and products cannot run without an input source in form of energy. Most of the sources that empower these machines and goods are derived from natural form of energy. The ones that are either underneath the surface of earth or over our heads in form of sun have been used predominantly for fulfilling the needs. However there is an extinction point to every energy source. While the naturally existing oil has been the buzz word for nearly half a decade, aspersions are being shown that alternate sources might be needed in coming days. The number of products and machines so produced are so enormous that a continuous and alternate form of energy is needed for their working. Oil reserves are scattered all around the world, particular the Middle East, Asia and South America. Eastern part of Asia is thickly gifted with this form of energy along with other natural salts and minerals. While it cannot be denied this form of energy set the entire world moving and it has in other words indebted us with innumerable services and facilities, but it has its down sides too. The environmental aspect is one of them. If the motherland earth has been at any threat ever, it is now that it faces the most serious of challenges in form of global warming. The constituents of oil pose direct threat towards the environment. People nowadays are at a greater risk of developing lung diseases like asthma, allergies etc. Particularly carbon monoxide is very toxic. To breath in a clean and pollution free air is becoming a dream. Applications of Oil: Oil finds its applications in nearly all the material and components that we see in our surrounding. Ranging from the static ones to mobile sources, the large sized power plants which provide electricity to towns and cities, to the level of automobiles on land, in the sky and on the railway tracks. Every car that is on the road is making use of natural oil. Millions of gallons of oil is being derived and used every day for the purpose of vehicles transportation. If there is any other alternate source, the question that naturally comes to mind is its capability of replacing and fulfilling the demands of multibillion population of the world that make use of energy on daily basis. The down side of Oil: While oil has empowered us in many ways, built economies of many countries and regions, serves for assets of various countries, Renewable vs. Non Renewable sources of Energy: Renewable sources of energy are those that go through the natural of usage and then discarded for re use. Unfortunately the natural oil does not fall in this category and may take fossil fuels millions of years for renewal. In wake of such situation, the need is felt for working on exploration of those energy sources which are renewable so that the natural cycle may continue and mankind may not have to worry the extinction of the energy source (Mukherjee, 2007). Besides the on field complications and considerations, the process of drilling the wells and searching for oil is a painstaking task in itself. Large amount of capital and labor is being invested along with heavy machinery every time the search for oil is instigated. This becomes more daunting a task in cases of uneven grounds and marshes where the ground level and excavation is done deep down multi meters into the ground. Besides the environmental factor, it is being believed that this form of energy will go extinct in the reservoirs of the earth in next thirty to forty years. In such circumstances, alternatives are being thought of, for number of reasons, the prime reason in this regard is the Environmental consideration, Followed by the human health factor, Extinction (non renewable nature), The reliance on single source of energy, Single source resulting in monopoly creation by the countries and regions that are rich with this resource of nature. With such situation at hand debate for alternative sources is holding firm ground and various options are being thought of for purpose of replacing the de facto energy source-oil. Nuclear energy, solar energy, thermal energy, bio mass is various other options that are being considered as possible replacements of the incumbent energy source. Nuclear Energy: The last few years have seen a bulge in trend towards the nuclear energy. It is being considered as environment friendly and is considered to able to produce at large scale. However, it has also got its own pros and cons to it. The basic one is the expenses associated with this technology. The nuclear power plants require the use of radioactive elements and other essentials of nuclear technology. Building it might not be a fortnight task and needs years of pre planning and ground work. Large amount of capital is needed to be invested. Without any second thought, it is stronger in terms of energy emission and capacity to run vehicles or light buildings (Craddock, 2008). The recent claims by the former I.A.E.A chief have consolidated the chances of nuclear energy as the subsequent source of energy that would replace the oil industry. (Curley, 2011) To some experts, this source of energy is the most promising one and though it is in the infancy stage, yet loads is being expected form this form. Many countries are in pursuit of civil agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A) for acquiring the licenses and clean chit for installation of nuclear power plants in various regions for fulfilling the needs. A plus that comes directly with this form of energy is its eco friendly nature. Unlike the existing source of energy, (oil), it does not emit direct carbon dioxide into the atmosphere nor other various hazardous components. Though the safety factor is a serious one and serious thoughts must be given to the fact that precaution must be observed while installing the nuclear power plants. Past has seen number of bitter experiences where the leakage of nuclear material have dealt serious blows to the human life. The nuclear waste must also be handled properly if it is to become a successful replacement. Large scale energy power plants can be established through the nuclear energy. Countries like France, India, and other European Countries have already started using nuclear technology on civilian grounds for the purpose of energy generation. The element of Global warming and Green house effect: Green house effect is in serious threat over the number of activities undertaken by the human beings. The ozone is layer is depleting at ever fast pace and the oxides of various gases along with carbon dioxide are a direct contributing factor towards it. They are emitted directly into the atmosphere from the automobiles. This results in absorption of more heat energy from sun which cannot be dissipated resulting in global rising of temperature and melting of glaciers and rise in sea levels and possibly expansion of subtropical deserts. Other side effects may be frequent occurrence of extreme weather conditions like droughts and heavy rainfalls resulting in floods (Solway, 2008). The alternative sources so suggested do not pose such headache and are considerably environment friendly. Solar energy: This is another alternate that is being thought of and discussed in recent times. It is another natural source which would only require capturing of the natural light that shines over our environments in routine basis. However its capacity is a debatable issue and it might not be as efficient and large in scale as the oil and nuclear energy. Though its installation on semi scale or urban areas can serve as alternate. Number of vehicles have been tested against solar energy and all those experiments have shown potential that exists in this form of energy. The advantages attached to this form of energy include massive scale. The case for Hydro power plants: Hydro power is a renewable source of energy since the water is recycled through a natural process within the universe. The sun fall, evaporation, clouds are few factors associated in this process and can help produce energy on large scale. Number of large amount power generation dams are created through this technique. It is one of the most environment friendly sources though consideration must be taken over the crops and other lands that come in the way of water that flows through the dam and reservoirs ((Gasch & Twele, 2011). Wind Power plants: Such power plants may range from small to medium. They might not be sufficient enough to serve large number of cities and other requirements, yet they can be used for various useful purposes on a small scale. A few hundred mega watts power generation is possible through the natural wind power plants. The location and terrain is of importance in this regard, places near the shores and mountainous ranges that receive considerably greater amount of wind breeze serves most suitable for wind power plants installation. The costs incurred in this kind of energy generation is also considerably low. Number of European countries have such systems in place and are being utilized for providing energy and electricity sources to the small towns across the country. Considerations in case of other sources of energy: If any source of energy is to be considered as the replacement of oil and human dependence on it, number of factors are to be addressed and determined if a positive check can be achieved in those areas. One of the basic one is the amount of heat capacity it possesses. Followed by the amount of generation capability, environmental factor in terms of its safety and friendly nature towards the eco system. Time required for exploring, developing and generating of the particular energy source. The amount of heat needed: Oil has been seen to have sufficient amount of heat to its nature and that makes the large amount of vehicles run at high speed, the combustion involved in its chemical process makes it a potent source of energy. What needs to take place in situation of replacement is the fact that other sources which are bound to replace this form of energy must possess equal if not more intensity of heat. Nuclear energy is considered to be the appropriate replacement in this category since it offers the necessary amount of heat. Conclusion: While the oil resources may run out in next two to three decades, this is the ripe time for taking measures to introduce replacements. The process might not be a smooth one and would not happen in a year or two since the entire globe is largely reliant on this form of energy, incremental movement backwards from this source is the solution. Stating that any particular source of energy has no down side to it, or is hundred percent safe would be a biased statement. All the sources that have existed or are potential sources of future have their equal pros and cons to them. The need is to utilize them in a manner that suits the mankind in the best manner. Efforts need to ensure maximum capacity utilization and mitigation of the threats that they pose to the environment, and mankind itself. Some of the sources stated above or all other sources that are in scratch form and still not materialized must be weighed seriously and international efforts should be made to make most of them. The governing bodies that are employed worldwide have a large responsibility up their shoulders to ensure encouragement of such sources. References: Craddock, D. (2008). Renewable Energy Made Easy: Free Energy from Solar, Wind, Hydropower, and Other Alternative Energy Sources. Atlantic Publishing Company. Curley, R. (2011). Renewable and Alternative Energy. The Rosen Publishing Group. Gasch, R., & Twele, J. (2011). Wind Power Plants: Fundamentals, Design, Construction and Operation. Springer. Mukherjee, D. (2007). Fundamentals Of Renewable Energy Systems. New Age International. Solway, A. (2008). Energy for the Future and Global Warming: Fossil Fuels:. ReadHowYouWant.com. Read More