Theo Lanier
Meghan Woods
Comp I: Thesis Statement
11/11/2014

Intuitive Energy Consumption In modern day society, I have observed the emerging negative impacts on the natural environment and human society from global climate change, and rising prices of traditional sources of energy. These two physical occurrences have led me to view renewable energy development as an ever increasing, promising approach to mitigating climate change, diversifying energy supplies, and even stimulating economic development. CNN news recently reported that in the United States, renewable energy development is a very active policy arena, in which an array of policy instruments are designed and implemented (CNN, 2011). CNN goes on to describe that over the past decade the states have experienced a rapid growth of renewable energy sources with an accelerating rate over the last few years. It is my ultimate and fervent belief that instead of maintaining oil and coal as the predominant energy sources in the United States, more emphasis should be placed on organic and less harmful renewable energy sources. More importantly, how and to what extent do political factors in each state influence renewable energy development practices. The influence of political institutions, interest groups, and government ideologies in the renewable energy deployment process is very substantial in my opinion. Industries driven by oil & coal consumption such as the automotive and other combustion engine manufacturers, supply Washington D.C. lobbyists with deep pockets to sway and influence congressional votes. These shady, but legal practices ultimately undercut and undermine any progressive environmental reform from non-renewable or fossil fuels, to renewable energy development. Individuals such as Michael A. Levi, senior fellow for energy and the environment, at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), has stated publicly that the U.S. could substantially decrease its dependency on non-renewable energy consumption in the next two decades if it chose to, but considers that notion unlikely (Levi,Rubenstein,2014). The International Energy Agency (IEA), for example, outlined a moderately aggressive scenario in 2007 that would see the United States cut its oil consumption by 29 percent between 2007 and 2030. (Selin,2014). They primary issue with legislation such as this is that even though provisions are written into law outlining large scale conversions to renewable energy sources, most of the provisions are spread over long periods of time and often repealed entirely by later elected officials. The environmental impact that fossil fuels have on the planet are even more detrimental to me than the political indifferences. According to Chetan (7), since fossil fuels are carbon based, their combustion releases carbon-dioxide that absorbs the infrared part of radiation from the earth and reradiates it back to the earth, creating the effect of a greenhouse. Due to greenhouse effect of carbon-dioxide, the average global temperature of Earth is believed to be increasing (Chetan, 9). Other derivatives from fossil fuels like methane nitrous oxide, and CFC are responsible for damage to the ozone, and will ultimately produce erratic weather patterns, floods, droughts, and submerging of low-lying areas due to the melting of ice at the poles (Chetan, 15-18). Energy and power providers such as Georgia Power have detailed information about energy production alternatives on their website (www.GApower.com). One particular source called biomass stood out to me. Georgia Power states that biomass is likely the oldest known energy source. It is commonly derived from low-grade wood waste like wood chips, wood pellets, and tree limbs resulting from tree-thinning activities. Agriculture crops and farm animal waste are also forms of biomass that can be converted to energy (www.GApower.com).
I believe by far that it is the responsibility of all human kind to educate themselves and become advocates of environmental energy reform. The outcome would have enormous benefits on the planet and society. The U.S. economy would be less vulnerable to oil price shocks because it would be sending less oil money abroad. Greenhouse gas emissions would be drastically cut, allowing the planet to gradually repair itself from the decades of depleting fossil fuels. Air quality would improve greatly, especially in high populated urban areas, allowing many who suffer from respiratory illnesses to experience substantial benefits and possibly live longer lives. Even though I’m optimistic, there is no doubt that even with a concerted effort the elite powers that be in America will find new ways to counteract environmental and renewable energy reform. However, I believe that even without discontinuing the use of fossil fuels completely, we as a society will greatly benefit by letting our voices be heard and actively pursuing change.

Works Cited
“Renewable Energy.” www.gapower.com. n.p. Web. 2014

Selin, Noelle Eckley, “Renewable Energy.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Sept. 2014. ITT Virtual Library. Web. 11 Nov. 2014

Levi, Michael and Rubenstein, David. “Reducing U.S. Oil Consumption” Council on Foreign Relations.com (CFR) Web. Nov. 2014

Solanki, Chetan. Renewable Energy Technologies. New Delhi: PHI Learning, 2009. Print