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TH – Opinion Article

What energy policy should the U.S. pursue?Switch to renewable fuels best for environment, jobsWind and solar energy are cheap and abundant, and greater fuel-economy standards are possible

THonline.com By Ralph Scharnau 5 Oct 08 Global warming, caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, threatens people everywhere. Our nation’s dependency on fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) steadily pours more polluting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The United States holds about 3 percent of the world’s oil resources while consuming nearly 25 percent of the world’s oil production. With fewer than 5 percent of the world’s people, we contribute about 30 percent to the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Yet fossil fuels receive the bulk of federal subsidies for research and development, loans and tax credits. A sizeable chunk also underwrites nuclear power, which adherents claim emits no greenhouse gases. But actually the overall nuclear cycle — which includes uranium mining and milling, enrichment, fuel fabrication and disposal of nuclear wastes — produces significant greenhouse gas emissions…………………………

One of the cheapest ways to reduce carbon comes from conservation. Energy conservation covers lighting, insulation, appliances, roofs, heating and cooling equipment and cogeneration of heat and light.

Wind and solar power represent the two fastest-growing clean energy sector renewables. And much of the technology for wind and solar power already exists.

One report estimates that solar energy could make up 50 percent of the nation’s power supply by 2050. Wind is cheap, carbon-free, abundant and inexhaustible. Some 30 states now have commercial-scale wind farms.

TH – Opinion Article

Tags: rernewables

October 6, 2008 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY