Do we really need it?

Elisabeth Rosenthal tackles some serious ongoing issues in her recent article. In today’s society the mindset of many people seems to be that our reliance on fossil fuels is vital to our success and survival, but do we really need it? The United States especially has fallen really behind in the move from fossil fuels to more energy efficient sources. But it’s not that we don’t have the ability to do so, the economy and ignorance to see change impedes us from moving forward. We all know the fossil fuels won’t be around forever, it’s been reiterated over and over again, the evidence is there and it’s overwhelming. Climate change is affecting our world in so many ways and it’s too late to go back to the way things were and the key now is to sustain the world we are living on. This topic has spiked political debates, rallies, public awareness and concern and we can only discuss it to a certain point before we don’t have an option anymore and are forced to do something.

There have been several reports showing how the United States could decrease its reliance on fossil fuels and decrease its energy usage to become more environmentally friendly but why hasn't it happened yet? Maybe it’s because we are convinced that we “need” oil, coal, and natural gas. Alternative resources are becoming more improved and the cost of solar and wind energy in particular has been decreasing, and the benefits that they can provide greatly outweigh the cost to implement them. We definitely have space and several areas that could benefit from solar power, for example solar energy in the south and wind energy along the coast and Midwest. Obviously the argument is that these sources can’t provide energy for all but that just means it’s time to get creative and innovative, such as using biogas which is being used in other countries like Sweden. Other European countries have taken part in this change towards renewable energy with some pretty good results. The arguments will continue but it’s important to look at all the facts and research, and ultimately decide if it’s really necessary to use up all of our fossil fuels instead of investing into a greener future.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/sunday-review/life-after-oil-and-gas.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0

http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/moving-beyond-oil-and-gas-requires-willpower-more-anything-else.html