Fossil Fuels Vs. Renewable Energy Sources

Filed in Renewable Energy on August 31, 2009 with View Comments

fossil-fuelsToday we live in a world where fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal) provide more than 90% of the total energy. Our energy needs are increasing and it is estimated that fossil fuels will be depleted in the not so distant future. The need to look for alternative sources of energy is therefore a priority.

There are two main reasons – energy supply problems and environmental problems. As we know, fossil fuels are in limited supply. They are non-renewable and will eventually be depleted. They were formed millions of years ago from dead plants and animals and cannot be replenished. When they run out, they run out. By some estimates, they will be depleted by 2050.

One of the biggest problems with fossil fuels is pollution. Coal fueled power plants are the largest source of air pollution in the U.S. Burning fossil fuels produces many pollutants – carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and many other harmful compounds. This causes many health and environmental problems – acid rain, smog, ozone hole, and global climate change, just to name a few.

So what can we do? The future is definitely not in fossil fuels, we know that. It belongs to renewable energy. Solar power, wind power and hydro power are the leading renewable energy technologies of today.

By increasing the use of alternative energy sources, we could slowly start decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels. The best thing about renewable sources is that they will never run out.

One of the biggest reasons why renewable energy is not used more often is the cost. But this is positively changing. The technology is improving and the costs for solar, wind, and other renewable sources are going down.

Green and renewable energy should be our main focus in the coming decades. The sooner we become free of our fossil fuel addiction, the better.

You can start using renewable energy today and greatly reduce or even eliminate your power bill. Learn how to generate electricity at home and see earth 4 energy book. It’s easier and cheaper than you think.

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  • Great post. I think that the benefits of using renewable energy sources for our daily lives will have a great impact in our environment. Using wind or solar power is a great way to help our earth (and our pockets, by the way :)

    If we fill the internet with articles like the one you posted, I'm sure we will reach millions of people and make them aware of how fossil fuels are damaging the earth.
  • ryanwmurray
    Many people have the attitude that the Earth's resources are infinite. It's a scary thought knowing that most people will continue to live in their ignorant bubbles and not bother educating themselves.

    Another factor is the exponential population increase which will eventually surpass the food supply. (ie: Malthusian theory: "The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man") Look up Thomas Malthus if these types of studies interest you. He was an 18th century British scholar.

    P.S. That "Earth 4 Energy" book looks like a handy resource for DIY solar panel projects.
  • enviralment
    The cost for solar might be going down for residential and I agree that solar is a great renewable source of energy for residential but if you think renewable energy will replace fossil fuels as a base load provider you are naive and uninformed. I wrote a blog about this today view here and although it's only one aspect for Solar (in respect to photo voltaic and pumped storage hydroelectricy) it's clear that the cost are way to high and to answer your question, nuclear is the future. It's the pragmatic and rational solution once coal plants start closing. Use renewables to support.
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