...America’s Future with Renewable Energy Robert Keith Clark ENG122 Prof. Sabine Meyer May 5, 2013 America’s future with renewable energy Only a very small percentage of the energy from the sun reaches the earth. However, one hour of that sunshine provides enough energy to power the entire world for a year (National Geographic, n.d.). As America moves forward into the 21st century, U.S. environmental policies need to do more to encourage green renewable energy technology thus reducing dependence on foreign oil, while focusing on environmental concerns, and helping to ensure that the United States remains a world leader. Methods Initial research for this project began with a look at U.S. government statistics and websites. However, as the research continued the Ashford library became a valuable source of information. This research paper is a combination of scholarly journal articles and other reliable articles from reputable news organizations. Some of the data came from teams of scientists and other international organizations that collect and organize data about renewable energy and environmental issues. One source that was particularly useful was America’s Energy Future (2009); the book was written by the Committee on America’s Energy future, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Research Council. Even though the information contained in this research project came from reliable sources, the information...
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...Introduction In a world of ever-increasing dependence on technology and the vast amount of information that is available, it is important to look at how this dependence will shape war in the future. P.W. Singer and August Cole present how this might look in the book Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War. Set in the near future the novel sets a hypothetical scenario that puts the United States at war with China and Russia. The initial conflict is a dramatic loss for America and an eye opener of the over reliance on digital systems, which begs the question, what do we do when the very systems we rely on are used against us? In my reading of the novel, I observed several key takeaways that I believe have great value in successfully fighting future wars and on growth as leaders. This review will discuss three main ideas that were present throughout the book and how to apply them to the present, as well as, mitigate them in the future. Part One will discuss how the authors build a view of technological dependence and how it impacts the conflict within the book. In this part, I will...
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... According to the video, The Cow Jumped Over the Moon, some of the uses of satellite technology are mapping, finding water in pasture in places; where is difficult to find them by other means, to film vegetation environments, study the weather forecasting, check and control countries’ borders, monitor geopolitical issues, find where our houses are located and how they look from space, deliver telecommunications services, and spying other countries, among many other features. Fortunately, at the present there are many applications that allow us to access satellite data free of charge, which was impossible few years ago. Definitely this technology has changed the way we perceived our world. Today we see the world as, ‘one huge system,” as indicated in the video. We perceive our planet as, a world without frontiers. Personally, I just learn how to utilize the Global Horizontal Irradiance to calculate the amount of solar panels, which I need to power my house. And when visiting my country of origin, I discovered that an American company is utilizing Spectral Analysis, a form of satellite technology, to find and extract minerals from a local mine. However, what genuinely astonished me was wtchi9ng how some use it to establish disaster mitigation,...
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...This is not difficult to find differing opinions on this subject. According to Paul Roberts, a conversion to renewable energy sources is not realistic. “In truth, much of the fault lies in the new energy technologies themselves, which simply cannot yet compete effectively with fossil fuels.” (Roberts, 2004, Para 19) However, the era of cheap oil is almost certainly at the end with the price of a barrel of oil going for 80.20 to 104.08 on the Stock Market. The price of oil continues to climb quickly and relentlessly. Global oil production will be soon hit a ceiling and drop, even as the demand continues to rise. The result will be an extremely large energy cost, political instability, and an uncertain energy future. The fact is many countries with the largest oil fields build in decade old and had in bad condition. Another fact is that fossil fuel use causes global warning. Scientists haves gathered an unassailable amount of evidence to conclude the warming of the planet had caused mainly by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuel. When many people use gas in a car the result is major amount pollution. When use hydrogen, the only product is water vapor. “Hydrogen can produce from diverse domestic resources, with the potential for near-zero greenhouse gas emissions.” (U.S Department of Energy, 2011) “Natural gas had been produced both worldwide and domestically at relatively low cost and is cleaner burning than gasoline or diesel fuel. Natural gas vehicles show an average...
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...Fossil Fuel Dependency and Americans | SOC120 - Sociology | University of Phoenix | Lena M. Ward | 10/9/2011 | America’s primary sources of energy come from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The cost of using fossil fuels includes labor cost to mine for coal or to drill for oil, labor and material cost to build plants to generate and transport coal and oil to plants; these hidden costs are included in electricity bills or in the purchase price of gasoline. However, some costs are not included in utility or gas bills, and they are not paid for by companies that produce or sell these energy sources (Payne, Dutzik, & Figdor, 2009). This external cost creates additional problems; such as, health issues related to the air pollution caused by the burning of coal and oil, the damage to land from coal mining and to the miners from lung disease, environmental problems like global warming, acid rain, and water pollution including national security cost to protect foreign sources of oil. This pricing system hides the true costs of fossil fuels which results in damage to human health, the environment, and the economy (Payne, Dutzik, & Figdor, 2009). This paper will examine each hidden cost and evaluate their effects to enlighten individuals on the true cost of America’s dependency on fossil fuels. America’s dependency on fossil fuels began innocently enough with the start of the Industrial Revolution. These changes were small at first with the invention...
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...causes severe air pollution and thus contributes to the “greenhouse effect.” This enormous amount of consumption will be the ultimate cause of the scarcity of oil in the future and of environmental pollution. If people do not develop any substitutes to burning fossil fuels in the next few decades, people will experience a new and large-scale energy crisis. In the U.S., there is a high demand for gasoline. However, if people start to use alternatives fuel vehicles, it can lower the demand of oil, which will in turn minimize the oil-dependence and potential environmental problems. Jim Motavalli, the editor of E: The Environmental Magazine, once said in his book Forward Drive, that “At long last, technological wizardry is being applied to the automobile, with the result being a new generation of cleaner cars. The gasoline engine represents yesterday’s solution to our transportation problems” (Motavalli, XIII) Today, hybrid cars are the best solution for America’s addiction to fossil fuels because they use clean energy to power vehicles, have compatible performance compared to conventional gasoline and diesel cars, and provide economic incentive for buyers. People believe that carbon dioxide (CO2) is one the causes of greenhouse effects. Scientists claim that CO2 accumulates in the atmosphere and traps the heat from getting out of the Earth. Thus, global temperature is increasing. As the problem of global warming and greenhouse effect become more evident, Americans have to find more renewable...
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...Production and Operations Management The Business Enterprise-BUS508 Dr. John Woodard Tammy English Strayer University August 11, 2011 Marathon is an integrated international energy company engaged in exploration and production; oil sand mining; integrated gas; and refining, marketing, and transportation operation. Marathon is among the top five crude oil refineries in the United States, so surely there is a way to reduce the time involved in the production process. The major crude oil refineries in the United States are located in the hurricane region of the gulf coast. One possible option that Marathon could take to reduce the time involved in the production process would be to create new petroleum refineries in different regions allowing operators to shift process and production responsibilities in the event of a natural disaster or scheduled outage. There may be one feasible alternative as to why Marathon would want to reduce the time in the production of the petroleum products. In order to produce gasoline, the crude oil must go through the refinery and transportation processes. In those processes sometime could be saved either by increasing the speed of separation in the crude oil refinery process or by increasing the speed in the transportation process. Crude Oil, like any other product, is traded on the world market. In recent times, crude oil prices have been rocketing, driven by rising global demand and political instability in several oil...
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...Global warming has been a rising concern and hot topics of debate for many years now of which vehicles are a major cause to the global warming affect. “By driving more efficient vehicles, oil imports can be cut, money can be saved, jobs can be created, and it can help with global warming”. (Easton, 2008) According to the CAFÉ standards, the technology exists to improve the fuel efficiency standards for new cars and trucks (Easton, 2008). There are some that will argue that the 1975 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) program failed to meet its goals of reducing oil imports and gasoline consumption, endangering human lives, and not helping with the global warming issue (Easton, 2008). Who’s right or wrong, or perhaps they are both right. “The United States spends more than $200,000 per minute on foreign oil that is $13 million per hour” (White, 2004). America burns 8 million barrels of oil every day just to fuel our cars, SUVs, and trucks (White, 2004). America’s dependence on oil is a threat to our environment. The new law, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards, is to regulate the average fuel economy in the vehicles produced by each major automaker (Fairley, 2008). The first CAFÉ standard for cars, in 1984, requested manufacturers to achieve an average of 27.5 miles per gallon (Fairley, 2008). The second CAFÉ standard requested an average of 22.2 miles per gallon for light trucks such as minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickups (Fairley, 2008)...
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...Production and Operations Management The Business Enterprise-BUS508 Dr. John Woodard Tammy English Strayer University August 11, 2011 Marathon is an integrated international energy company engaged in exploration and production; oil sand mining; integrated gas; and refining, marketing, and transportation operation. Marathon is among the top five crude oil refineries in the United States, so surely there is a way to reduce the time involved in the production process. The major crude oil refineries in the United States are located in the hurricane region of the gulf coast. One possible option that Marathon could take to reduce the time involved in the production process would be to create new petroleum refineries in different regions allowing operators to shift process and production responsibilities in the event of a natural disaster or scheduled outage. There may be one feasible alternative as to why Marathon would want to reduce the time in the production of the petroleum products. In order to produce gasoline, the crude oil must go through the refinery and transportation processes. In those processes sometime could be saved either by increasing the speed of separation in the crude oil refinery process or by increasing the speed in the transportation process. Crude Oil, like any other product, is traded on the world market. In recent times, crude oil prices have been rocketing, driven by rising global demand and political instability in several oil...
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...I do feel like there are flaws in America's free market capitalism system, as with any system. But I do not think that more government control is the answer. By attempting to more evenly distribute wealth the government has passed labor laws and fair trade agreements. Our nation was founded on independence and hard work. Limiting the rewards of hard work for the business entrepreneurs will only serve to further increase our current economic problems by limiting growth and as a result, job opportunities. A large part of our economic problems result from borrowing rashly. Many Americans have been living beyond their means and then subsequently rely on assistance from an already heavily indebted government system to buffer their debts. Alternative/renewable energy is not only feasible but also imperative for Japan as well as other countries to invest in for the future. Japan will be obliged to research ways to become eco- friendly in the future. Japan has long been known for their ability to stay on the cutting edge of technology and the exploration of sustainable energy could assist them for their own consumption as well as possible export options. Another possible avenue for economic growth could involve encouraging tourism and the economic boost associated with increased job opportunities and increased revenue. Another option Japan could possibly use to strategize economic growth is by utilizing their own natural resources such mining, fishing and forestry for their own...
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...established to lead the work on the goals outlined in Initiative 8, which addresses the Nation’s cybersecurity needs related to public awareness, education, professional development, and talent management. (McDuffie, 2009) In the past 20 years, the innovative use of cyberspace has transformed the day-to-day operations of the Nation. These advances have enhanced the lives of individuals, business, and government in profound ways. From eCommerce, to mobile communications and complex networked systems, the rapidly growing dependence on cyberspace is evident. In the years to come, the Nation’s dependence on cyberspace will only increase as technology advances and will further integrate into our daily lives. Great advances in technology comes with great risks. The Cyberspace Policy Review identified vulnerabilities in cybersecurity as systemic risks introduced into infrastructure, defense, and personal property due to the widespread adoption and dependence on technology. The more the Nation relies on cyberspace as a critical part of its infrastructure, the more responsibility there is to protect it. NICE will enhance the cybersecurity posture of the United States by achieving the following goals: 1. Raise national awareness about risks in cyberspace 2. Broaden the pool of individuals prepared to enter the cybersecurity...
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...located in the “North Slope area of Alaska and eight million acres of this selected segment of the landscape is in the National Wilderness Preservation System, which is intended to protect pristine and untouched land areas” (Burley, 2010, p.1). Drilling for oil in the ANWR will destroy the environment; endanger the caribou herds, birds, and other wildlife. However, the opposing viewpoints contend that it would provide jobs, help with our oil supply, and not destroy the land. Examining other alternatives for energy shortages in the United States would prevent the destruction of the ANWR and other protected habitats. Renewable sources of energy like solar energy, and wind power would not affect the environment or cause pollution. The dependence on oil and other fossil fuels needs to be curtailed, so, the Alaska Refuge is not destroyed. Additionally, “each year oil operations on Alaska’s North Slope emit more than 70,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, which contribute to smog and acid rain” (National Resource Defense Council, 2010, p.1). Toxic oil spills kill the plants and vegetation, air pollution caused from drilling and emissions affects the air quality, and hazardous waste contaminates the water supplies. The drilling on the ANWR is causing damage to the plant life, air, and water supply which are necessary for plants and animals to survive. Animals of the ANWR will be limited to the areas in which they live and migrate because of the drilling operations which are taking...
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...HS 383 Dr. Geib March 8, 2011 Paper 2 The American Soldier, 1860-1920 The philosophy and makeup of the United States military underwent more drastic changes during the sixty years between the outbreak of the Civil War and the conclusion of World War I. During this time period, the military went from small, localized, unprofessional and poorly trained groups to large, centralized, professional military units that rivaled the best militaries in the world. The transition of the U.S. Military started when the United States’ foreign policy increased their interests worldwide following the Civil War, engaging in conflicts in both the Caribbean and in Asia, culminating when the United States entered World War I not in their own interest, but rather in the interest of protecting European allies. This signaled the U.S.’s new role as a world power that has interests in global stability and maintaining strong alliances. However, none of these military advancements would have been likely to take place had the initial priority to increase military operations hadn’t occurred solely to preserve the Union. The Civil War began with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861, but both the Union and Confederate armies were not prepared to fight a ground war at that time, as armies had to be raised, mobilized, trained, and supplied for the upcoming war. The first ground battle of the war, the Battle of Bull Run, was not fought until more than three months after the attack on...
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...Drill 2 We need to get off our dependency of foreign oil. There are two major suggestions on how to solve this issue. One is to follow President Barack Obama’s plan. He proposes that the best way for us to get off of oil dependency is to create alternate energy resources. This would offer more jobs for the people. Most of the Republicans on the other hand, want to do more drilling in the United States and more offshore drilling. They say that having more oil companies will create more jobs. Who is right or wrong? We need to look at the situation for a long term fix. Drilling more yes will offer more jobs but who is to say for how long? Also, as more fossil fuels are being burned, we are polluting our air and our country. Offshore drilling is dangerous to the environment, it is dangerous to the people, and it is not a long term solution to freeing our dependency of foreign oil. When drilling off shore you run into the chance of having another oil spill like we had last year. There were millions of sea life animals that were affected by this event. Fishing companies were unable to fish in those areas because of the oil contaminate in the fish. How many lives are we going to put in danger by drilling offshore? If there is another accident like last year can be we really be sure that it will be stopped right away or will it take up to three months to get through the red tape from another country to fix it? By drilling and mining for fossil fuels, we are destroying...
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...Farmers across the nation, primarily along the west coast, are dealing with some form of financial decline due to soil erosion, drought, and costs to income ratios. The cultivation of hemp will restore our economy and environment. In the article titled “The Forgotten History of Hemp,” author Jack Herer claims that: Farming only six percent of continental US acreage with hemp could end America’s dependence on fossil fuels. Capable of producing ten tons of biomass per acre in four months without chemical fertilizers, hemp-energy farms could return billions of dollars’ worth of natural resource potential back to the farmers and bring millions of jobs back to America’s heartland. (Herer) The cultivation itself helps farmers, as no chemicals...
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