RENEWABLE ENERGIES
IN A
NONRENEWABLE
WORLD
2022 JANUARY QUARTERLY ISSUE
By Caroline Kopas
With the abundant use of fossil fuels and the quick depletion of nonrenewable resources, it is becoming increasingly clear that we cannot continue doing these things at the rate which we are while ensuring a high quality of life for future generations.
The drilling of oil, one of the world’s most sought after fossil fuels, is not only diminishing an already low supply of the black substance but is also destroying ocean ecosystems, untouched areas of the northern frontiers, and bringing about a myriad of international and intranational conflict. Gas cars release fumes into the air and cause irrefutable amounts of pollution, especially in urban areas, which is eroding the protective ozone layer. Coal mining releases harmful gasses into the atmosphere and can potentially cause disasters such as underground fires and acid rain, and its operation destroys the local environment and dirties the air. It is undeniable that nonrenewable energy sources not only will run out in the future if their use does not decline, but are actively harming the environment and its future
Therefore, renewable energy sources are a great option in not only providing a future on this planet, but also to preserve and conserve the natural resources and beauty this planet has left.
Here is a compilation of the most significant renewable energy resources that can help ensure Earth’s longevity.
Solar
You might see solar panels lining parking lots next to large office buildings, or on the roofs of schools. They have been popping up everywhere in recent years and there’s an easy explanation: not only is utilizing solar power better for the environment, but for most, it is also cheaper than using nonrenewable sources!
After thinking about it, is it really surprising that the massive fiery star in the sky we call our own has extreme amounts of power we can harness?
And there’s another great thing about the sun and its power: it’s never going away (well, at least for another five billion more years). It is a renewable resource in its entirety. It is a tried and true resource that can be beneficial to your wallet, community, and your planet.
However, there are cons with every pro. Some disadvantages to solar power can include a high upfront cost (the panels themselves can be pricey), less power in cloudy and rainy weather as well as at nighttime, and a relative unattractiveness.
No matter the cons, solar power is undoubtedly an advantageous option when it comes to limiting climate change and a great accepted source of renewable energy.
Hydro
If you’ve ever stood next to a waterfall, you’ve experienced the pure power moving water can produce.
A renewable energy with a long history, (Ancient Greeks used water mills to ground wheat into flour!) hydroelectric power is efficient and plentiful. Afterall, around seventy one percent of Earth’s surface is covered by water. Hydroelectric energy is even the most commonly-used renewable source of electricity in the world.
Utilized a lot by cities and business, hydropower is a great option for powering big operations. Giant hydroelectric dams, like the Hoover Dam in the United States, can even serve millions of people’s power needs every year.
Of course, in order to use this source of energy, what needs the energy is required to be located near a significant water source, like a river, reservoir, or an ocean, which gives it a more limited scope than solar energy which can be utilized anywhere. A few other cons are that it is not a viable option for many individuals because of its high cost, it can upset ecosystems in rivers, and it can wax and wane its efficiency and community servitude depending on droughts.
No matter the cons, hydroelectric power is still a great choice when compared to fossil fuels.
Wind
Even when wind feels negligible, or when it is but a light breeze on a summer’s day, high up in the air it holds extraordinary power.
Wind turbines are popping up everywhere, and they are massive. In fact, the tallest wind turbine in the world stretches to a height of two hundred forty six and a half meters, or nearly eight hundred and nine feet. That’s about two-thirds as tall as The Empire State Building. These turbines harness a ton of renewable and clean energy to the nearby power grids. And the energy they create is very wide-reaching and powerful. In fact, experts even suggest wind power can easily supply more than twenty of the world’s electricity.
Also, the wind turbine business creates many jobs in the areas where they exist, boosting the economy.
But if you have witnessed wind turbines first hand you know how much of an eye sore they are. Their massive structures tower over and dominate rural landscapes and their noticeable sound can contribute to noise pollution. Also, only certain areas are viable for wind turbines to be in, so it is not an option for a lot of the world.
Geothermal
Geothermal energy creates power from the heat that exists within the earth. Since the insides of the Earth are constantly moving, and therefore constantly producing heat, geothermal energy is both renewable and reliable.
Also, since it is very scientific in nature, scientists can calculate the output of geothermal plants very accurately. It is also a relatively new technology that has unlimited potential for innovation and improvement.
However, geothermal plants, which cost millions, require digging into the Earth’s crust, which can release trapped gases which can be harmful. Also, they very much disrupt the surrounding environment and even have the ability to trigger earthquakes. Geothermal energy has a bit of cons, but in a few dances time this might change for the better.
Nuclear
The word nuclear generally is associated with danger and fear, but nuclear energy is actually quite a useful renewable energy option for the future. Nuclear energy is created through a process called nuclear chain reaction, and it is controlled in nuclear power plants to produce heat, which then produces steam when combined with water. This steam generates high levels of electricity.
Nuclear power plants produce insane amounts of energy, providing electricity on average to power over 760,000 homes without emitting any greenhouse gases whatsoever., and excluding the initial building costs of the plants, the power is actually quite cheap.
Nuclear energy is actually quite safe. In fact, there have been no radiation-related health effects linked to the operation of nuclear plants in the history of U.S. nuclear energy. Nuclear waste is dealt with the utmost care also, similarly yielding no ill-effects. Actually, because nuclear power is incredibly regulated by most governments, power plants are very safe places to work.
When speaking of nuclear energy, however, one has to mention meltdowns. Although exceedingly rare, incidents like Ukraine’s Chernobyl and Japan’s Fukushima live on in the minds of the world’s population. Nuclear energy has the potential to fall prey to both human error and natural disaster and leave utter destruction in its wake.
Also, even though nuclear energy is known as renewable, it actually is not. This is because the element Uranium is required in the process, and although there is no shortage of the substance, a few centuries down the line there might be.
All in all, the “solution” to our nonrenewable energy problem cannot be just one. Therefore, it is necessary for people, nations, and corporations to use these renewable resources as they can considering their situation. The “solution” is quite possibly a mix of all of them. The more we move away from fossil fuels like oil and gas, the longer lifespans our wonderful planet has, so even a single solar panel is a step in the right direction