Fossil Fuels Blessing or a Curse - Assignment Example

13 August, Fossil fuels – Blessing or a curse? Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy that are fundamentally derived from earth like coal and crude oil. These are essentially the decomposed remnants of the dead and decayed plants and animals buried under the earth. Fossil fuels have been the fundamental source of energy for millions of years. Such a widespread use of the fossil fuels has caused them to decline and they are estimated to be completely diminished in the next couple of decades. This has caused a need for man to explore new sources of energy because the volume of fossil fuels left is not reliable. Besides, they have never been a very nice choice since they have caused considerable damage to our environment. Fossil fuels burn to produce energy. The poisonous gases generated as a result are allowed to escape into the air. Massive release of these toxic gases into the atmosphere in the past has caused holes into the protective ozone layer. Also, waste from the oil refining industries has been led to the seas. Such practices have contaminated the water and indirectly caused many diseases both in humans and animals. It is an established fact that use of fossil fuels is harmful for our atmosphere. Owing to this fact, there is a severe need to develop new and cost effective means of producing energy since it is the most fundamental need of the modern age. What is a viable alternative to fossil fuels? Some of the methods that can be adopted to put an end to the use of fossil fuels are discussed below: Solar energy: Sun is the fundamental part of our solar system containing 98% of its total mass. It is in the very core of the sun where the solar energy is produced. The unimaginably high pressure and temperature in its core cause nuclear reactions to occur which in turn cause “four protons or hydrogen nuclei to fuse together to form one alpha particle or helium nucleus. The alpha particle is about .7 percent less massive than the four protons.” (Hamilton, 2009). It is this variation in masses that is released in the form of energy which gets to the sun’s surface through convection to escape from there in the form of both heat and light. Thus, sunlight can be thought of as a rich source of energy that can be put to good use to serve mankind. Solar energy is one of the most reliable and cost effective alternatives to the conventional source of fossil fuels. Solar energy can at least provide all the energy required for domestic purposes and can easily be stored by properly designed mechanisms in individual houses. Solar energy has been in use as a natural source of energy for quite some time, yet there has always been a need to make the system cheaper, given the complexity of mechanism. However, today, such mechanisms have been developed that are capable of producing and storing massive solar energy for residential and industrial purposes. Energy gained from the sun can be reserved in portable batteries and availed when required. In developed countries, solar energy has been largely used as a means to regulate the temperature of houses, apartments and condominiums. Wind turbines: Wind is essentially a sort of solar energy that is produced because of a number of reasons that include but are not limited to a difference between the atmospheric temperatures, the rotation and irregularities of the earth. Wind carries kinetic energy in it. Wind turbines serve the purpose of converting the kinetic energy carried by the winds into the mechanical power which is used to produce electricity. Wind turbines have long been employed as a suitable means of producing electricity. Like solar energy, the concept of use of wind turbines to generate energy is quite well considered and applied in the past. Wind turbines are available in a variety of types. There are horizontal axis turbines as well as vertical axis turbines. The difference between the two types is made by the axis around which the blades of the turbine rotate. Not only is it a very reliable source of energy, it is also fairly cost effective and the process results in no harms to the environment or the society. Sometimes, wind is used in combination with solar energy in renewable systems of energy production. Presently, wind is being researched to deliver maximum benefit with minimum expense and scientists foresee wind energy as a potential source of energy for the whole world in the years to come. Hydroelectric energy: Water is an excellent source of energy. Like wind, water carries kinetic energy that it gains as it falls from the height over the turbines. In this way, it can be made to run the turbines which in turn result into the production of electricity by converting the kinetic energy of water into mechanical power. This process requires manual control of water in order to make it flow in a productive way. Usually, dams are made to store water or alter the direction of the flow of water towards the hydroelectric plant so that it falls over the previously fixed turbines. Conventionally, this method of energy production is widely employed in the industrial sector all over the world. This is potentially one of the most constructive ways in which water from rains and floods can be utilized and it can be ensured that no harmful gases are emitted into the air while producing electricity via turbines both in case of wind and water. Through proper planning and flood mitigation strategies, use of water to generate electricity can be increased manifolds. Biofuels: The concept of drawing energy from biofuels is relatively new and has not been talked much about in general. Many people are not even aware of what is termed as biofuel. “In the broadest sense, biofuel is created using renewable resources such as plants or harvested foodstuffs like corn or soybeans.” (wiseGEEK, 2010). Since they are principally derived from the process of photosynthesis that fundamentally relies upon sunlight to take place, biofuels can also be considered as a solar energy source. Besides, ordinary waste that is otherwise discarded into the lands and seas can also be refined to be used as biofuel. Biofuels bring nearly all the benefits that are normally derived from crude oil with the added benefit of causing no harm to the environment. Presently, biofuel is being used in vehicles and automobiles. It is an excellent alternative to the fossil fuels in all potential ways. Conclusion: Fossil fuels have long been employed as the only source of energy on earth and they have already caused unrecoverable damage to the environment and this has happened majorly because of lack of awareness. Today, as there is more awareness, people are more concerned about their health and environment and the future generations. Also, fossil fuels can not be considered as a reliable source of energy since the reserves are readily declining and will be finished in near future. Hence, there is a need to explore new sources of energy. The four sources of energy namely the sun, the wind, the water and the biofuels all provide enough energy to collectively serve the needs of mankind on earth. Initial installation of these systems is indeed costly. But the long term benefits derived from their installation would pay the price back. Also, we can restore the ecological balance of earth to some extent by preventing further harm to it with the use of the above discussed alternative sources of energy. Works cited: Hamilton, Calvin, J. “Views of the Solar System”. 1995-2009. 12 Aug. 2010. . “What are Alternatives to Fossil Fuels?”. wiseGEEK. 2010. 12 Aug. 2010. . Read More