The Exploitation of the Natural Resources - Literature review Example

? Renewable Energy Introduction Sustainability in the exploitation of the natural resources is one issue that has been the topic of debate in many conferences. Sustainability refers to the exploitation of resources in a way that assures the future generation of utilizing the same resources with the same quality and quantity. Climatic change, global worming, environmental degradation, pollution and the reduction or damage to the ecosystem diversities are some of the threats to sustainability (Barthelmie, 2011). Research has shown that pollution and emission of the dangerous gases into the atmosphere and the water bodies and soils is the major causes of the problems mentioned above and hence have to be controlled if the world needs to address the problems of the environmental degradation and pollution. Apart from the environmental degradation, there are other adverse health effects that are caused by the gases that are emitted to the environment. The destruction of habitat for the different lives has resulted not only to the elimination of the indigenous species but has also resulted into the reduction in the production of quality and quantity foods which has resulted into the food supply in major nations of the world (Sandalow, 2009). It is however important to note that all these issues are related to the pressure that is exerted on the limited available energy sources especially for the automobiles. Research has also shown that the increase in the pollutant gases that are emitted in the atmosphere results to the twenty five percent of the health complications of the major organ and organ system of the body such as the lungs, heart, kidney, digestive, respiration and some cases have resulted into death. In the view of the above, it is undisputable that the world needs alternative sources of energy to supply energy to the automobiles. Most nations are responding to this problem by passing strict laws on the activities that result into the pollution of the environment. This is because there is increasing dependency on the petroleum as the major source of energy for the automobile and industrial and many other engines that do not use electricity. The increase in the availability of the renewable sources of energy for automobile is therefore the only solution to reduce the menace of the global problems of pollution, enhance human health, protect the environment, increase the capacity for food production and protect the natural habitat. Hybrid cars, electric engines as well as other engines that use alternative and renewable sources of sources of energy are therefore important technology towards the realization of this goal. The current increase in the development of the automobile and other manufacturing industries has resulted into the ease of transportation problems and changed our lifestyles but is turning to be more dangerous to the environment and our health. For a long time in the history of the world, automobiles have been run mainly by the fuel that is mainly made from the hydrocarbons which is responsible for the environmental pollution. Due to the increasing population of the environment, there increased pressure on the use of the hydrocarbon fuels as the sources of energy for the automobile. It therefore follows that the rate of environmental pollution is expected to rise proportionally. Research has also shown that the amount of fuel used for manufacturing and the service industry constitutes up to forty nine percent of all the fuels that are used (Anderson, 2010). It is also projected that the uses of fuel within our roads is also expected to increase tremendously with the figure expected to be approximately 2.5 billion users (Barthelmie, 2011). In this context therefore the available petroleum faces depletion together with the increases in the environmental impacts mentioned earlier in this study. The following will be research findings on the importance of the hybrid cars in reducing the pollution and protecting the environment and enhancing health through the reduction of the emissions to the environment. Renewable energy Renewable energy refers to that energy that originates from the natural resources such as the sun, wind, geothermal heat, tide and rains that can be replaced or renewed by the natural processes and do not necessarily need the activities of the human beings. This type of energy is useful in the modern world because it has fewer impacts to the environment, health and it is often clean and easier to handle. Renewable energy is seriously needed by the world today because of its positive impacts on the advancements of technology. It is important to recognize that the advancement in technology has changed our life style but has also been accompanied by several consequences that have resulted into the environment loosing its original biodiversity. There are different forms of renewable energy sources across the world that are currently being utilized and exploited. Wind power is one of the examples of the most commonly used forms of renewable energy across the world. According to Anderson (2010), wind power can generate from 6000kilo watts to up to 5 mega watts and hence can be utilized in the areas where winds are strong enough to push the turbines. Wind turbines are often located along the offshore as well as the high altitudes where the winds are strong and hence provide some of the best sources of energy that can be sufficient depending on the availability of the wind. According to Anderson (2010), however, this source of renewable energy faces a threat of depletion since the rate of increase in the global worming as well as the level of climatic change has affected the wind flows. This has not only affected the strengths of the wins but also the direction that has resulted into the reduction in the amount of energy generated by the wind power. In then global perspective, the potential for the production of wind energy is estimated to be below the total energy that is exploited currently (Anderson, 2010). It is also important to note that the low exploitation of the renewable sources of energy is due to the technological challenges. According to a research by Sandalow (2009), the potential for the production of wind power energy is estimated to forty times more than the current exploitation and hence it presents a challenge to the energy industry to exploit these available sources of energy. In the view of above, it is apparent that there are more opportunities to be exploited in this industry and hence it is efficient and still can be used to supply energy to the industrial sector just like the nuclear energy. However, it faces challenges from the environmental degradation which if not addresses, the potentiality may reduce. Hydropower is another form of renewable energy that is exploited in different nations than any other form of energy. Hydropower used water or humidity to generate electric [power that6 is supplied to the grid to supply the industrial, domestic and other sectors of the economy. It is also the widest used form of renewable energy that is used across the world. According to Sandalow (2009), since water is heavier than air, it is possible to generate considerable amounts of energy from the small water bodies. Water power however consists of different forms and the most common one is the hydroelectric energy. Hydroelectric energy is the energy that is generated from the constructed dams and waterfalls that serve as the major sources of the energy. The impact of the changes in the climate and global worming has negatively impacted on the sustainability of the renewable sources of energy. As observed by Anderson (2010), global worming has resulted into the reduction in the rainfall in major rainforests which has affected the availability of water for the generation of energy. World climatic changes like the emergence of drought and semi arid areas due to the clearing of forests as well as the encroachment of settlement in many areas has resulted into the reduction in the world rainfall. The impacts of these have been the reduction in the production and supply of hydroelectric energy and the potentiality continues to reduce. According to Sandalow (2009), the increasing levels of drought and the climatic changes have resulted into reduction of the world’s potential for hydroelectric power. This has resulted into many nations’ seeking alternative sources of energy like wind power and solar especially in the rural areas. However, it is important to note that the world pollution and the increase in the emission of dangerous gases to the atmosphere is a major contributor to the depletion of the climate and major climatic changes that have affected the rain patterns. This has resulted into power rationing in some developing nations especially during the times of severe droughts. The efficiency of the hydroelectric power is there debatable. However, its efficiency comparable to the nuclear energy reveals that it is more efficient and can be used by the future generation if the damages on the environment are kept to the minimum. Solar energy is a form of renewable energy that is derived from the sun and hence depends on the availability of the sun for its generation. They are broadly categorized as either passive or active depending on the way they work to capture the solar from the sun, generate and distributed energy (Anderson, 2010). Solar energy is mainly found within the rural areas as well as urban areas in which the electric energy from the grid has not been distributed. This is one of the cheapest sources of energy yet the least exploited source of renewable energy. According to (), there is current campaign for the adoption and the use of solar energy in different parts of the world. This is because solar energy is not affected by the adverse environmental effects that affect other forms of renewable energy. Solar energy can be looked as one of the most efficient as well as economical source of renewable energy. This can be used in the rural areas as well as other regions of the world in which there is abundant sunlight. It is import ant to note that provided that there is sunlight; solar panels can be used to generate electric power that can be used by the home appliances and other domestic duties. According to Sandalow (2009), this can reduce the pressure on the electric grid by up to thirty percent. It does not have any health hazards and effects and hence presents a healthier source of energy than other many sources. However according to Sandalow (2009), this can only be exploited in the areas in which there is plenty of sunlight. It is therefore affected by the daily sunlight and hence may not be reliable as such. Solar energy in the regions of the world that experience long days of sunlight can easily exploit this form of energy more easily. The ability to exploit this energy therefore does not only depend on the region but also on the available sunlight or solar. Biomass and biofuel are other sources of renewable energy that are mainly generated from the plants and animals through the various biological processes. Bioalcohol is a kind of fuel that is generated from the fermentation of the sugars from the plat materials such as sugarcane while biodiesel is generated from the extraction of the oils from vegetables and animal fats. This provides a kind of fuel that is important for the use by not only the industrial sector in their engines but also by the automobile industry. This kind of fuel functions in the engines just like the petroleum diesel and does not have any adverse effects to the engines where it is used. It is however important to note that it is different from the petroleum diesel by the fact that it does not affect the environment. It has reduced non combustible carbon and hence it is friendly to the environment. One of the major issues of concern with the biofuels is that they are mainly manufactured from the food components and hence as a result, they reduce the amounts of fats and oils that available for consumption. In a study by Anderson (2010), the resistance to the exploitation of the biofuels to supplement the international deficit and the need for renewable energy is based on priority. The argument here within the political divide is that the use of biofuels for the generation of power for the use in the manufacturing industry is a misplaced priority since the world supply of fats and oils is still below the requirements. For this reason therefore, the use of biofuels as renewable sources of energy is more costly and hence should not be adopted. However, it is a safe and environmental friendly source of energy. The last form of renewable energy source discussed in this paper is the geothermal energy. This is energy that is generated from the heat from then earth. It therefore follows that it is only generated from specific points and hence has several impacts on the technology as well as the location of the energy source. In some areas, geothermal energy is closer to the earth than other areas and hence it makes exploitation easier. However, in some areas, exploitation has not been possible since the source of the geothermal is on the earth core and hence makes exploitation expensive. According to Anderson (2010), however, geothermal energy provides a better supply of energy for the industrial and commercial use. It is also important to note that this source has not been fully exploited and hence still have potential for future exploitation. It therefore follows that6 there is still potential for future exploitation Renewable Energy and the Environment However, the threat that the world is facing now is associated with the sustainability and efficiency of the renewable sources of energy. While the international community is putting more emphasis on the renewable sources of energy and sustainability, the challenge that though still remains in the minds of most of the participants in the debate is its effectiveness compared to the other sources f energy such as nuclear energy. There are fears that the renewable sources of energy may be depleted and in future their availability may not be guaranteed any longer. This is because of the interferences with the natural resources that have resulted into the depletion of the major water bodies, forests, and water catchment areas that serve as the roots of renewable sources of energy. This has resulted into the major climatic changes that have mainly affected the globe. Since the sources of renewable energy are those sources that are replenished constantly by the natural processes, it is important for the world to consider maintaining the natural processes at equilibrium. However as observed by Sandalow (2009), the natural processes equilibrium faces threat as they are under pressure from the increasing human population. This has resulted into the clearance of the world major forests which has shifted the flow of the natural resources. It is important therefore for the world to understand that the renewable energy sources are particularly under threat from the increasing population. This is because the increasing population of the world has resulted into the in creasing t needs for food and shelter. The growth of industries has therefore taken place with major economies contributing a lot to the international food market. However, this has been accompanied by challenges especially withy respect to the sustainability in the production of food for the future generation using the same fuel as the energy sources. According to the report by the United Nations, the increase in exposure of the harmful gases to the atmosphere has affected the natural resources and depletion of the biodiversity by up to fifty percent across the world. For the proper protection of the ecosystem, biodiversity has been found to be very important and the level or the number of different species that are surviving have been found to be an indicator of the proper functioning of the environment and environmental health. The use of fossil fuel however has presented a risk to the environment and ecosystem which are the richest sources of biodiversity Barthelmie (2011). There is need therefore to change these people’s ways of life through the implementation of alternative sources of fuel if the people of the world have to protect the environment. The government should also form a legislation to enable protect the biodiversity and the environment at large. This can be done through amending the domestic legislation or through an act to incorporating energy policies that in the process of environmental conservation for better protection and sustainable use of energy. Renewable energy and politics Biofuel energy sources have been the current strategy that has been adopted by the very many governments as an attempt to change the fuels that comply with the principles of environmental protection. According to Bradsher (2011), there is increasing demands for the use of biofuels both in the United States of America as well as in the European Union. While the nations in Europe are encouraging the adoption of the biofuels as alternative sources of energy, the United States of America are implementing the growth of corn maize for the production of bioalcohol as well as biodiesels. As outline by Hunter (2007), the fossil fuels are mainly found in the regions of the world that are hostile to the European community as well as the nations to the west and hence the idea of adopting the use of biofuels and many other sources of alternative renewable sources of fuels are a great idea to the nations in the west. In the view of the above, the politics of biofuels are taking a different turn with regard to its feasibility which is a relief to the development of alternative sources of fuel. Global warming is a serious threat to the whole world and hence the only better chance that is available to address the problem is the adoption of the alternative sources of renewable. However because o poor economies as well as the idea of lack of technology has presented the possibility of exploitation of the biofuels as dangerous and more challenging. It is however important to note that politics have played an important part in influencing the possibility of biofuels being implemented as alternative sources of energy. It is important to note that there are many scholars who have argued that the net energy that are released by the biofuels cannot be compared to that released by the fossil diesels. In other words, the critics argue that it takes more fossil energy to produce the biofuels than what is produced in the process. The result of this is that there is increased pollution to the atmosphere than the biofuels. However, these critics have not been substantiated because most of these studies made several assumptions in their research. According to Rapier (2008), however, the biofuels is the only way that the world has to go if it has to solve the problems of global warming that is created by the exposure of the atmosphere to the dangerous gases and other emissions from the fossil fuels. They have also argued that the biofuels are the only way out especially fort the automobile industry that may not be capable of utilizing other forms of fuels and energy. The diversion of grains as well as vegetable fats and oils away from their traditional uses is also another area of criticism. Most critics of the biofuels believe that the world has not yet achieved the required amount of the edible fats and oils required and hence the diversion of fats and oils to the fuel production just because it pays more is a misplaced priority. Many scholars believe that this would only be feasible when the total world needs of the fats and oils are achieved. According to Rapier (2008), this diversion is feared because it may result to increase the world food prices. In this context therefore the question for its sustainability arises. The current situation across the world is that the world food prices has continued to rise since the fuel prices went up and hence the diversion of the edible fats may just worsen the situation (Rapier, 2008). This is because the grains that serve as the major food across the world would be waste in the production of the biofuels which can be produced using alternative sources such as hydropower. In the view of the above, several nations begun to adopt the production o biofuels in their energy industry have realized their reduction in the food supply and hence have halted the production. According to Rapier (2008), several nations like the Chinese government that implemented the production of bioalcohols as well as the biodiesels has realized that there is more to cost of such production than the profits. According to this study by Bradsher (2011), it is very expensive to produce the biofuels in the long run when all factors are held constant. The argument here is that while you benefit in terms of supplementing the fossil fuels, you pay dearly in terms of food supply to the people. It is therefore important to recognize that the major leaders of the world in terms of technology are reluctant to adopt the biofuels because of its sustainability and the cost benefit analysis that indicates non rewarding returns. The United States of America as well as some nations in the European content have however embraced the technology and hence have implemented it in their production lines as fuel. The interest in biofuels has taken over ‘the other sources of renewable energy due to its possibility of use in the automobile industry. It is important to realize that the automobile industry contributes to a substantial consumption of fuel worldwide. The need for alternative sources of fuels is therefore necessary because the automobile industry technology have not embraced the production of automobiles that uses other sources of energy like the electric energy. There is however the emergence of hybrid cars that is more dynamic and uses the electricity and other sources of fuels. Generally, research has shown that the exploitation of renewable sources of energy still viable despite the criticisms. The renewable sources of energy have a lot of benefits that are not comparable to the nuclear energy. Renewable sources of energy and the media The media has and is currently involved in a debate that is intended to influence individuals to adopt alternative sources of energy. The media has focused majorly on the benefits of the renewable energy sources as an attempt to influence the people and the governments to adopt it and save the environment. This has been achieved through the commercial advertisements from the energy regulators as well as the environmental friendly ambassadors. Research has shown that there is reduced cost of operating the engines that uses biofuels compared to the others (Sandalow, 2009). However, there are controversial ideas that this would increase the pressure on the national grid if the engine is on electric power. According to a study by Hunter (2007), the cost of plug-in for the electric operated machines is estimated to be a quarter of the cost that is incurred when a gasoline powered engines was used. In this context therefore the cost of plug-in hybrid is expected to be even lower that the convectional combustion engines. The reduction in the cost is attributed to both the charging from the regenerative brakes as well as the charging that takes place when the combustion engine is on operation (Sandalow, 2009). The fear that this would lead to the increase in costs of operations are therefore misplaced. Research has also revealed that the electric powered engines are energy resilience compared to the other convectional types of cars. There is fuel economy when the engines of this type are used compared to the convectional cars or cars that uses fuel strictly for their engines. It is important to note that these differences depend on the number of driving that one goes for before recharging the batteries if it is a car for example (Bradsher, 2011). It is also important to note that the reduced combustion activities have the impact of increasing the efficiency of the engine and hence has a more conversion factor of the mechanical to electric energy and vice versa and hence encourages efficient use of energy. The general argument here is that the general efficiency of the use of renewable energy sources is high. One of the major factors that have made it difficult for the adoption of the hybrid cars is that the drivers are anxious that the battery may get depleted while they are travelling and before they reach the final destination in their journey. They fear that they may get stranded along the way before they actually complete and they may be forced to incur other additional expenses thereby making it even more expensive. However as Outlined by Hunter (2007), the plug-in hybrid cars have an alternative gasoline engine which may be used during such emergencies before the battery can be charged later. The combustion effect may also be used to charge the engine as well. Unlike the other gasoline engines, the plug-in hybrid cars’ engine is capable of being decoupled from the traction and range extender would be capable of being operated under different ranges over optimal conditions at all the times. As observed by Sandalow (2009), the other sources of power that are highly efficient and not suitable for other cars are fairly suitable with the plug-in hybrid cars. The impacts of pollutant gases from the gasoline engines in the other types that uses fossil fuels have been very destructive not only to the environment but also to the health. Smog that is generated from the incomplete combustion in the gasoline engines is responsible for over ten thousand premature deaths across the world (Sandalow, 2009). This is due to the production of toxic substances that are harmful to health and hence leads to the deterioration of health. This does not only lead to serious losses of life but also losses in terms of the cost of conserving the environment and the cost of treatment of those whose health have been affected by the smog. It therefore follows that the gasoline engines are more expensive than the engines that uses alternative sources of energy because they have reduced emission into the environment. Other sources of fuel are capable of permitting the use of energy in a more efficient way. Since most of the electricity is not fully utilized such as operating reserve, this electricity can be used to charge the car battery that can be used later for locomotive purposes in the hybrid cars. As observed by Sandalow (2009), the cars can be charged during the off peaks or during the time when the consumption of electricity is low like at night. The cars can also be integrated with a system that detects the off peaks and peaks so that the car battery charging is switched on and off accordingly. By the use of this kind of technology there can be a better way of utilizing the power on the grid for other services while charging the cars at night and weekends and hence it plug-in hybrid cars may not be considered to be having high operational costs. Conclusions The world seriously needs the alternative sources of renewable energy for the manufacturing and the automobile industry. This is because there is need to protect the environment and reduce the adverse health effects that are caused by smog. The impacts of the incomplete combusted gases can be highly reduced by the use of the renewable sources of energy since they have reduced emissions of these gases to the environment. This would also improve the energy saving efficiency and hence improve the quality of air and quality of life in most of our cities. However there is increasing fears that the adoption and implementation of the biofuels and bioalcohols as the alternative sources of renewable energy may lead to the food shortages across the world since it utilizes the diverted cereals and other vegetables in its exploitation. It is however apparent that other government especially the U.S. and certain European nations are beginning to embrace this technology. It is therefore recommended that the renewable energy sources should be adopted in order to protect the environment and increase efficiency. The government should not just pass laws that intend to reduce the number of emission to the environment but should look into future with intensions of investing in renewable energy sources. This is because the population is growing at a steady rate and there is need to prevent the increasing pollution that is accompanied by the increase in the pollutants and gases that result into global warming. Renewable energy sources have not been fully exploited and hence there is potentiality for exploitation and efficient use for the sustainable development. Just like the nuclear energy, renewable energy sources are efficient and can be utilized in a wide range of applications. Moreover, renewable energy sources are not associated with the risks and other health concerns as seen with the nuclear energy. References Anderson, B. W. (2009). “A Battle to Preserve a Visionary’s Bold Failure.” New York Times, May 5, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/science/05tesla.html. May 6, 2011. Barthelmie, S. C. (2011). “Global warming won’t Harm Wind Energy Production, Climate Models Predict. Science Daily, May 3, 2011. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110502151355.htm. May 6, 2011. Bradsher, K. (2011). “Energy and environment.” New York Times, Friday, May 06, 2011. http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/energy-environment/solar-energy/index.html. May 6, 2011. Hunter, L. (2007). “Renewable Energy Potential of the Middle East, North Africa vs. The nuclear Development option.” Research Associate, Global energy institute, October, 2007. P. 4-33. Rapier, R. (2008). “The politics of Renewable Energy: Unlimited Consequences of Biofuel policies.” International relations, February 10, 2008. http://www.e-ir.info/?p=327. May 5, 2010. Sandalow, J. B. (2009). “Torture tests say battery power's hardly nerdy.” 2009-03-30, Boston Globe, March 30, 2009. http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/03/30/torture_tests_say_battery_powers_hardly_nerdy. May 6, 2009. Read More