By Ryan Loveland
Today there are many different types of renewable energies, like solar, wind, biofuel, hydropower ect. And its tough to decide which is the best for our power needs, and which is the best for the environment. "The concept of renewable energy generally denotes clean energy systems that do not contribute to greenhouse gas emission (GHE) and climate change. As renewables get into top gear, growing evidence of non-inclusion of social conscience in the name of renewable energy development as well as sever environmental damage is unmasking the dark side of renewables" (Pillai). She is hinting towards the damage that can be caused from these resources. For example mega hydropower dams have been successful in countries like the united states but in countries with tropical rainforest's it can be disastrous. Tearing down rainforest areas to create any kind of renewable energy source, not just hydropower could provide power to thousands of people, although great caution needs to be taken when doing so. A quote from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says, "tropical rainforests which serve as our planet's carbon sink, holds more that 210 gigatonnes of carbon. Deforestation is responsible for more than 15% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) - more than any other human activity put together, has a potent impact on accelerating global warming" (Pillai). This means that just tearing down the rainforests we had raised the level of green house gasses than all of the vehicles burning fossil fuels on the road combined. The search for renewable energies is urgent but we need to think of the effects it can have on the world before we rush away from dependance on fossil fuels.
However if steps are taken to produce renewable energies, without significant harm to the earth, the benefits could be countless. "Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance than traditional generators. Their fuel being derived from natural and available resources reduces the costs of operation" (The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy). The renewable energies would produce no or little waste products in their operation. minimizing any effect on the environment. And could actually help reverse effects of the green house gasses on global warming. Additionally they can bring jobs and economic growth to all areas they are used.
(Picture from The Energy Collective)
Today there are many different types of renewable energies, like solar, wind, biofuel, hydropower ect. And its tough to decide which is the best for our power needs, and which is the best for the environment. "The concept of renewable energy generally denotes clean energy systems that do not contribute to greenhouse gas emission (GHE) and climate change. As renewables get into top gear, growing evidence of non-inclusion of social conscience in the name of renewable energy development as well as sever environmental damage is unmasking the dark side of renewables" (Pillai). She is hinting towards the damage that can be caused from these resources. For example mega hydropower dams have been successful in countries like the united states but in countries with tropical rainforest's it can be disastrous. Tearing down rainforest areas to create any kind of renewable energy source, not just hydropower could provide power to thousands of people, although great caution needs to be taken when doing so. A quote from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says, "tropical rainforests which serve as our planet's carbon sink, holds more that 210 gigatonnes of carbon. Deforestation is responsible for more than 15% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) - more than any other human activity put together, has a potent impact on accelerating global warming" (Pillai). This means that just tearing down the rainforests we had raised the level of green house gasses than all of the vehicles burning fossil fuels on the road combined. The search for renewable energies is urgent but we need to think of the effects it can have on the world before we rush away from dependance on fossil fuels.
However if steps are taken to produce renewable energies, without significant harm to the earth, the benefits could be countless. "Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance than traditional generators. Their fuel being derived from natural and available resources reduces the costs of operation" (The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy). The renewable energies would produce no or little waste products in their operation. minimizing any effect on the environment. And could actually help reverse effects of the green house gasses on global warming. Additionally they can bring jobs and economic growth to all areas they are used.
Pillai, Kamala Vainy. "Is Renewable Energy Really Green?" Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 24
Sept. 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
Sept. 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
"The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy." Renewable Energy:.
Solarschools.net. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.
Solarschools.net. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.
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