Energy has become an extremely hot topic for americans over the last couple of years, with reasons for our energy concerns ranging from environmental to political to financial. Despite differing reasons, it is clear that the solution to our energy problems is to transition from traditional energy sources to renewable energy sources, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ending our dependence on foreign oil, and eliminating our world record transfer of wealth to oil producing nations. There are also critics who argue that renewable energy sources have severe drawbacks, such as having to use natural resources to produce a wind mill, or using large amounts of land to host massive quantities of solar panels.

There are even those who believe that we are not in danger of depleting our traditional energy sources such as oil since although the cost of oil has increased, it is not severe enough to indicate there is a problem. There are opponents of global warming who claim the global warming that we are experiencing is just the result of natural cycles ‘is global warming a myth?’ 1 which include periodic increasing and decreasing global temperatures that have occurred over the centuries and millenniums. However, a group of 600 leading climate scientists from 40 nations, says it is ‘very likely’ more than a 90 percent chance that humans are causing a global temperature change that will reach between 3.2 and 7.2 degrees fahrenheit by the end of this century 1. With only a ten percent chance of error that global warming is not taking place, it is prudent we take action. Our dependence on foreign oil has caused the united statesmajor problems in the area of national security, and an enormous net transfer of wealth from the united statesto other countries. according to mr. Woolsey, former director of the central intelligence agency, the united statesfaces a grave national security threat from its dependence on energy derived from oil solomon 1.

Many criticize the gulf war and theiraq war to be the result, at least in part, of our oil dependency. No doubt, many terrorist organizations are getting sympathy and support from those who are unhappy about theunited states military presence in oil producing islamic nations. Petroleum exporting nations fromsaudi arabia torussia are not only charging americans record high prices for fuel, they are also poised to become the biggest creditor to theu.s. This sets the stage for other countries to play a very strong role in determining our foreign policy. Furthermore, oil consumers are paying $4 billion to $5 billion more for crude oil every day than they did just five years ago, pumping more than $2 trillion into the coffers of oil companies and oil producing nations this year alone mufson 1 , which amounts to the largest transfer of wealth in all of history.

Additionally, this huge transfer of wealth out of the united states into foreign countries is certainly not going to help us with our severe economic troubles. The cost of renewable energy is decreasing. according to a solar energy specialist, a big thumbs up for an industry that’s making huge advances in lowering costs and improving efficiency kanter 1. Additionally, experts advising the united nations said renewable sources could deliver nearly 80 percent of world’s total energy demand by the middle of the century 1. Since the cost of oil and other nonrenewable energy sources is increasing, it is rapidly becoming more cost effective to use renewable sources. Although renewable energy technology is quickly advancing, renewable energy sources are not without potential environmental drawbacks such as the large amounts of land required to place solar panels, or the effect placing a dam on a river has on the surrounding area. However, according to president obamas policy, environmental groups including the natural resources defense council, national wildlife federation, wilderness society and sierra club all will soon agree with the final plan.

This is a strong indicator that plans for building and placement of renewable energy technology have been created with sensitivity towards potential negative environmental issues. Within our free market american belief system is the fundamental idea that the free market will drive change. At this time, with the american market clamoring to go green, our military fighting terrorism on foreign soil, and the cost of energy being at record highs, the time is right for change. With the rate at which renewable energy technology is advancing and cost effective renewable energy is becoming available, the united states needs to accelerate the transition from traditional energy sources to renewable energy sources. Our modern industrial civilization is to a large extent based on using fossil fuels.

Still, due to overpopulation, climate change, and the scarcity of resources, one of the most precious and efficient sources of energy, oil, has already started to exhaust bode, 2005, p.81. This fact has caused scientists globally to seek for substitutes to fossil fuels to avoid economic and industrial collapse. experts in the field of sustainable energy have turned their attention increasingly towards solar energy in particular as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. solar technology utilizes the suns energy to produce electricity and does not rely on the continual mining of raw materials.

Consequently, this does not result in the annihilation of ecosystems, as witnessed in the extraction of fossil fuels. For instance, in the river niger delta, an ongoing irresponsible and excessive oil extraction can be witnessed. As a result of this activity, the mass extinction of fish has been observed in the region, as well as the abandonment of whole villages where people used to live on fishing nelson, 2008, p.

Another well known incident is the bp oil leak in the gulf of mexico, which spilled over a million cubic meters of crude oil. using solar energy does not imply releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere the energy production process is free from any gas, smoke or other chemical waste. solar energy, unlike other sources of conventional energy, is free from monthly or other charges, except the first installation and maintenance fees. solar energy does not require costly and ongoing raw materials, such as coal or oil, and unlike conventional power production, operational labor is redundant. professor richards hans from the university of south calgary 2012 notes that the prices of fossil fuels keep increasing and the production price per watt of solar energy has reduced by 60% in the past five years p. This, together with the fact that solar energy power plants may be independent from the national energy grid, is a significant advantage for people in isolated localities solar energy is more cost effective and practical for self reliant societies, or those who live in rural or isolated areas. It is practical since it is much cheaper to install solar energy systems than putting up power lines it is cost effective due to conventional sources of energy depending on a variety of factors, like transportation of petroleum and frequent maintenance. Those with divergent views on solar energy insist that the cost of installing solar energy system is higher compared to conventional sources of energy demirbas, 2008. they also argue that solar panels require excessive amounts of space for installation, and this might hinder its application in limited space, such as urban areas. according to professor ayhan demirbas from the university of north seattle 2008 , the reason why installation costs are relatively higher is due to solar panels being made from materials that have exorbitant costs p.38.

However, as solar energy becomes more and more competitive due to shortages facing other sources of power, prices are expected to come down. Governments seeking to cut down carbon emissions may also subsidize the cost of installation. Solar energy has the potential of becoming the most significant source of energy in the nearest future.

Since there are no chemicals or gases involved in energy production on solar plants, this type of energy can be considered one of the cleanest. Solar plants may be constructed off the national energy grid, which is beneficial for small self reliant societies, and they do not require monthly or other charges. Those disputing the viability of solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuel insist that installing solar panels is expensive and requires plenty of space. However, government subsidies and other measures are likely to reduce said costs, and the problem of free space is also in the process of resolving.

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On the whole, it is clear that fossil fuel deposits are getting lower and lower each day. Therefore, increasing numbers of people will continue to embrace solar energy as the best alternative to fossil fuels. sustainable development and innovation in the energy sector. new york: amherst international. solar energy: a realistic fuel alternative for tomorrow. chicago: springer. The natural resources of earth continue to be used more and more each year throughout the world. These sources of energy are not renewable and there is a need to discover other energy sources.