...Can nuclear energy be a main alternative energy socio-economically rather than other alternative energy to decrease global warming? Introduction Nowadays it seems that most people recognize about the severity of global warming. Houghton (1997) believes that increasing alternative energy rather than using fossil fuels is very important to decrease global warming. Therefore, I chose this topic: Can nuclear energy be a main alternative energy socio-economically rather than other alternative energy to decrease global warming? This assignment will identify why serious global warming started and discuss about nuclear energy as an alternative energy. Finally, it will be examined how people think about nuclear energy used to decrease global warming. Global warming by human activity According to Houghton (1997), since Industrial Revolution fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are being burnt worldwide rapidly and a lot of carbon dioxide from burning the fossil fuels is promoting global warming. Giddens (1998) stated that many scientists believe the main cause of global warming is carbon dioxide increased. Carbon dioxide which is one of green house gas such as methane, water vapour and nitrous oxide absorbs heat and then re-emit on the earth. So, with carbon dioxide increase, temperature rises on the earth (Carter, 2010) Wyatt (2008) stated that “Industrial revolution stimulated a major increase in production and mass consumption. The ancient sources of power-human...
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...November 24, 2011 Oil: Can We Survive Without It? Oil production and inventions of alternative energy sources have been critically analyzed from the beginning of energy production. Alternatives such as wind power, water power, and solar cells are just a few of the many alternative energy sources that will be addressed and by providing factual evidence, their potential will be illustrated. When examining these touchy topics one major question can be addressed: how reliable will alternative energy sources be once oil is gone? Further examination of topics such as the efficiency of energy alternatives, accessibility of energy alternatives, the amount of energy alternatives available, the technology needed to obtain new energy alternatives, environmental concerns, and whether or not we should pursue alternative energy in the near future or if we can afford to wait, will help us answer the question of how reliable alternative energy sources will be once oil is gone. While alternative energy sources will be able to replace oil when it runs out, we can, for the time being, continue living as we do because the depletion of oil is not a concern for the immediate future. The negative effects of oil production on the environment have been a concern for many years; however, this statement can be refuted by new statistical evidence that is available today. When oil production was first introduced into society the harmful effects emitted into the environment were largely detrimental...
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...the desert area, the energy that supports residents’ daily lives is alternative energy. For example, Southern Nevada heavily relies on alternative energy such as the solar energy, wind energy, water energy, geothermal energy, etc. In a dry area like Nevada, many of the residents say that solar energy is the best solution. The supporters say the reason to support alternative energy is that it brings huge economic benefits and job opportunities to Southern Nevada. Besides that, weather and geographical position in Southern Nevada are perfect for developing alternative energy. On the other hand, what the opponents say is that the cost of developing alternative energy is too expensive, using the cheaper traditional energy...
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...Oil Alternatives Examine the changing importance of three energy alternatives to oil [20 Marks] 1200 words. Correct citations. Oil has been an important resource for humanity for centuries. It is easily accessible and efficient and over time has been extremely versatile in its uses. Today oil is used for fueling cars, cooking food, cosmetics, lubricants, paintings, organic chemistry, etc. For a long time oil has been the primary and main provider of energy, but due to increasing environmental effects, scarcity, and global inflation, it seems as if it will not last much longer. This essay will highlight the growing importance of three alternatives of oil that may rise to prominence in the future: algae biofuel, nuclear energy, and hydroelectric power. The first alternative that will be discussed is algae biofuel. In essence algae biofuels are the same as normal fuels except that the components of the fuel are organic and biological rather than fossil fuel based. Production is caused through a series of chemical reactions and is nontoxic and renewable. Algae sources can be re-replaced through more farming. The standard production method consists of planting lots of algae pods and letting them interact with the sun and bacteria to create oil. (Howstuffworks) Although this method releases a lot of CO2 it is all taken back again through growing more algae. This is of the many advantages of algae biofuel. Firstly its production yield far surpasses that of other variations...
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...1.8 Life Cycle Costing Purpose Life Cycle Costing (LCC) is an important economic analysis used in the selection of alternatives that impact both pending and future costs. It compares initial investment options and identifies the least cost alternatives for a twenty year period. As applied to building design energy conservation measures, the process is mandated by law and is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 10, Part 436, Subpart A: Program Rules of the Federal Energy Management Program. The A/E shall contact local utility companies to determine available demand-side management programs and nocost assistance provided by these companies to designers and owners. Applications Basic applications of LCC are addressed within the individual chapters herein and may be further defined within an A-E’s design programming scope requirements. In general, LCC is expected to support selection of all building systems that impact energy use: thermal envelope, passive solar features, fenestration, HVAC, domestic hot water, building automation and lighting. However, LCC can also be applied to building features or involve costs related to occupant productivity, system maintenance, environmental impact and any other issue that impacts costs over time. It is very important to recognize the significance of integrated building systems design in the overall e iciency of the design. Methodology There are many established guidelines and computerbased tools that e ectively...
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...Renewable Energy Page 1 Renewable Energy Nathan Wenzel University of Phoenix Renewable Energy Page 2 “According to a new UN report, the global warming outlook is much worse than originally predicted, which is pretty bad, when they originally predicted it would destroy the planet.” (Jay Leno). Humans are creating a lot of damage to the planet’s environment, and if we don't do anything to prevent the carnage soon, the results could be disastrous. Most people have knowledge about global warming and believe it may be a sincere dilemma in the future. What most people don't know is that global warming is currently happening, and we are already experiencing some of what it is capable of doing. Knowing of the harmful effects of global warming, alternative energy sources need to be pursued. Finding and using alternative energy sources may be the only way to stop the increase of global warming. Global Warming is something that is greatly influenced by the energy crisis. Most of global energy production is produced from fossil fuel such as coal, oil and natural gas. The vast majority of fossil fuels generate energy which is used for many purposes for residential, transportation and industrial...
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...to accomplish with this essay? What do you hope the reader takes away from this argument? Inform readers of the advantages of alternative energy. I plan to successfully argue why alternative fuels are better than gasoline products. I hope the reader takes away how alternative energy could help preserve oil and possibly assist in driving down the cost of gasoline. 2) What did you learn from completing this assignment? Did you experience a new understanding of the topic? Did you change your perspective after completing the research? I learned how to affectively apply the Toulmin method in an essay. I experienced a better understanding of the topic from employing the Toulmin method. Yes, because originally I knew little about alternative energy and its affects. 3) What difficulties did you encounter during the research, writing, or editing phases of the assignment? I encountered the most trouble writing the essay. This is the first time I’ve wrote an essay that used this writing method. I feel like writing using the Toulmin method is very beneficial for me once I felt I understood it. 4) What did you enjoy about this assignment? I enjoyed the articles that I found on the topic that I chose. This assignment really helped me better understand how alternative energy is incorporated into society. I was always curious of the effects of alternative energy and this assignment gave me some good insight. 5) What made you decide to write about this particular topic? Is this a topic...
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...Alternative fuel Opportunities "Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations"(E.E.R.E.) If there isn’t some form of a major change in the way we use, renew, and obtain energy our world will be severely effected. By 2100 if we continue at the rate we are going with fossil fuel abuse there will be an average increase of forty-eight-degrees Fahrenheit to the global temperature (E.E.R.E.). Many people believe that the effects of global warming are not going to occur until centuries from now, but reality is that there are changes already happening. Sea levels are currently rising due to glacial retreat and arctic shrinking (E.E.R.E.). There are also severe long term effects. Some major events would be severe weather events such as an increase in the more violent hurricanes and tornadoes, reversal of seasons, and even sever economic depression due to a decrease in crop production. There are many different solutions or alternatives to our current declining global situation. Cars can be powered by bio diesel, ethanol, electricity, fuel cell, hydrogen and a combination hybrid (Alternative Energy). The possibilities are endless for future possibilities to fuel our power hungry world. All it would take for our ecosystem to be saved is a little time and a slight bit more money, if nothing is done future generation will perish. A large portion of our global warming...
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...Kaitlyn Carter HMGT 5540 Spears 2.19.14 Case 1: Lee, Hsu, Han, and Kim Introduction The emergence of the green movement into the hospitality industry has become significant, and implementing environmentally friendly practices into an organization has become a strategy for future success. Organizations have begun to execute a green management style in order to assist in the decreasing of the environmental impact by the hospitality industry, as well as to promote an eco-friendly establishment to their expanding eco-friendly guests. According to Lee, Hsu, Han, and Kim (2010) green hotels are properties whose managers are determined to apply green practices that save water, save energy, and reduce solid waste, while also helping cut costs, and educating guests on ways to help conserve the earth’s resources. Since the introduction of green management into hospitality practices began in the 1990s, there have been dozens of studies dedicated to green management and its influence on corporate social responsibility, green hotels, green consumerism, and socially conscious consumers, (Lee et al., 2010). However, research focused directly on the perception of green hotels from the viewpoints of hotel guests, and how it influences the guest’s image of the hotel and customer loyalty. Thus, Lee, Hsu, Han and Kim (2010) focused on researching the development of a green hotel image, the influence on behavioral intentions, and strategies to develop a strong corporate image for a green...
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...analysis Strengths-they have alot of money that can be reinvested in enhancing/repairing their image and focusing on the environment, their connections (with the British government and Navy), alternative energy (wind, solar, biofuels), infrastructure, carbon footprint toolkit, they were the first energy company to acknowledge global warming/environmental awareness Weaknesses-image, oil spills, poor ethics (price gouging,wire/mail fraud, etc.) Opportunities-technological opportunities (alternative energies, improved drilling capabilities, jumping onto the environmentally sustainable movement-and is also a threat to their original business model) Threats-politics (policies/regulations), economics (supply and demand fluctuation, improved commodities markets), competition, natural disasters 2) Problem Analysis (this should be clear and to the point-a few sentences is all that is necessary): Their image is tarnished, so they are concentrating on rebuilding this. They started this process by changing their name from British Petroleum to simply BP (Beyond Petroleum-suggesting that they will focus their efforts on multiple energy sources). Why is their image tarnished? What led to this occurring? What measures have they taken to address this issue? 3) Develop strategic alternatives to solve the problem (BP has already addressed some of this, but there are flaws in some of the changes they have implemented) * reinvest money into pipeline maintenance and infrastructure...
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...Kacie Cardenas Mr. Tall Chief Composition 1 31 October 2012 Oil vs. Ethanol In today’s society most people get from point A to point B with a car. That car that society drives, however, doesn’t run all by itself. All cars need some form of energy to operate. The world’s primary use of energy for cars is oil. As we know, our global amount of fossil fuels, especially oil, gets a little more scarce everyday. Researchers have developed different kinds of alternative energy to help slow down the use of fossil fuels. Ethanol has turned into a top source of an alternative for oil. So why not use those alternative forms of energy like ethanol for every car? Through studies and research, scientists continue to evaluate the downside of fossil fuels, possible harm of alternative energy, the benefits of fossil fuels, and successes of alternative energy. Earth’s primary energy supplier has always been fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are made from animals and plants that lived many millions of years ago. Those plants and animals became buried underneath the surface of the Earth where they transformed into what we use today for oil. We have depended on those fuels to meet our most basic energy needs, to our most complex. Society runs into the problem that fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource. Once they have been depleted, the fossil fuels are gone forever. The problem comes up when miners, oil companies, and oil consumers destroy different ecosystems. The mining and...
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...bButanol Article Summary Since 2005, the year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set new standards for renewable fuels; ethanol has been being mixed into gasoline in the U.S. Ethanol is a product of corn and is a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuels. In a New York Times article titled, “Corn Ethanol Makers Weigh Switch to Butanol,” by Henry Fountain, it has been indicated that the general mentality in the “Corn Belt,” a cluster of Midwestern states, has slightly shifted. With the scarcity of gasoline increasing as its being depleted quickly, gasoline/ethanol refineries are strongly considering the switch to mixing gasoline with butanol rather than ethanol. Butanol, which is also known as butyl alcohol, is being recognized as an overall better alternative source of energy when made into biobutanol. Biobutanol, which uses biomass and butanol, contains more energy than ethanol, is easier to handle, and can be blended with gasoline in larger amounts per gallon. Today, ethanol is being mixed at a standardized rate of 10%. Biobutanol is recommended to be mixed at 16% of the volume per gallon of gasoline. Biobutanol also contains 30% more energy than ethanol. Obviously, taking those two factors into consideration, efficiency is increased while also burning less gasoline, which is scarce and harmful to the environment. Another positive side to making the switch from ethanol to biobutanol is taking into account the cost of maintenance of each biofuel...
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...With the rapid advancement in wind technology, reliable product quality and more than 95% feasibility rates, wind power has become a safe and reliable energy source. With ever-increasing economization of generating electricity using wind power, the costs are becoming comparable to that for coal-fired generators and are lower than petroleum-fired and nuclear generators. Taking into account the intermediary investments in environmental protection and transportation, it is more economical to use wind power in place of coal to generate electricity. In addition, the construction of wind power stations takes a relatively shorter amount of time. The installation and adjustment of a wind turbine system takes a few weeks, and the whole process of land construction, installation and commencement of productions will only take 6 months to one year – a feat which coal-fired or nuclear stations cannot match up to. The investment scope is also flexible; one can chose to install as much capacity as possible based on the available capital. For offshore islands, remote highlands which are inaccessible, vast but thinly-populated grasslands and pastures, and rural villages and frontier regions which are far away from power supply networks and will continue to remain unreached, wind power can be an effective energy source for production and survival, which further enhances its significance. bad aspects The spinning blades kill and maim birds and bats Noise like "brick wrapped in a towel turning...
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...Need of Alternative Sources of Energy Rosario Carrillo HUM / 114 October 17, 2012 In Need of Alternative Sources of Energy There are many people that are debating how to best meet energy needs in the United States. The argument is that the country must decrease its dependence on oil and invest in alternative sources of energy. The United States uses oil daily witch tends to be very expensive. People believe that to best meet energy needs would be to find alternative sources, such as wind, and solar power. The truth is that alternative energy needs to become a major investment for everyone. The conservation of energy can result in the increased of financial capital, environmental quality, and comfort. The oil supply is decreasing daily and evenly that source will be extinct so why not start with alternative sources. Some argue that alternative sources are too expensive, but fail to realize that if he or she was to invest in an alternative source such as solar panels that they will acquire adequate lighting and a more healthful life. ”Solar incentives for homeowners reduce the energy cost by 30 to 50 percent” (Chiras, 2012, 5p. ). This is one of the reasons why it is important to invest in alternative sources of energy because the amounts of saving are so high. The price of electricity will increase witch will cause people to spend thousands of dollars on electricity because of the rising cost of oil. By encouraging more people to use alternative sources...
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...Sustainable Planning and Development Chris Pertell ENV230 Dr. Nicole Minor April, 10, 2012 Sustainable Planning and Development My goal is to design a community that is able to live sustainable and self sufficiently. I will take into consideration all of the fundamental aspects: food, water, energy, sewage, solid waste, and transportation. To design a sustainable community, one must use green alternative methods and use renewable sources. Sustainability should be a process of planned change and learning. To have a sustainable community, there must be sustainable relationships between people; also people need a relationship with the environment. Societies through managed learning should be able to adapt to feedback, improve decision making by sharing information, communication, and understanding (Sustainable, 2012). When building the community, I would use recycled materials. By reusing materials that would have been thrown away, I will be saving trees that would have been cut down to build. Another way we can contribute to a green community is by buying products deemed environmentally friendly. If we look for products which are friendlier to our environment through the production of the product and the use of the product, it will help us live in a green community. In this community we would recycle what we can and reuse what we are able to. This would not take any extra money. In most cases it will save us money, or we will earn money, I would tell people,...
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