Global Warming - Nonrenewable and Renewable Energy Sources

Climate Changes
Some possible effects of climate change resulting from a warmer earth are that the temperature rises. This temperature increase causes sea levels to rise due to the melting of ice sheets in the northern hemisphere and the slowing down of the ocean's circulation of warm water to the North Atlantic. This change in the sea level will eventually lead to once dry land to be covered, erosion of beaches, and coastal flooding. Other results of the climate change will be that the amount of rainfall increases, extreme weather events will happen such as hurricanes and typhoons, and there will be a rise in tropical diseases. (2006, Global Warming).

Ozone Depletion
Ozone depletion affects human health in that it causes humans to have more exposure to the sun's dangerous ultraviolet rays, which increases the possibility of developing either nonmelanoma or malignant melanoma skin cancer. With ozone depletion the rays are not as filtered as they are with normal ozone levels.

Ozone depletion affects crop yields in that the increased ultraviolet rays cause a decrease in crop productivity as the damaging ultraviolet rays cause changes in the growth of the crops, how the crops absorb the required nutrients to make them grow, and alters how the crop develops to maturity. Ozone depletion affects forest productivity in much the same way as crop productivity. The increase of the harmful ultraviolet rays causes a decrease in growth of trees and vegetation within the forest. It also increases the possibility of disease and affects the growth cycles of the forest life.

Ozone depletion affects materials such as plastics and paints because these materials have special additives added to them to protect them from normal solar ultraviolet rays. When more of the rays are let through due to the ozone layer being depleted, it causes these materials to breakdown faster and therefore, they do not last as long as they normally would outdoors.

Ozone depletion affects plankton productivity in a negative way as well. It has been found that an increase in solar ultraviolet rays reduces the plankton's survival rate in the water as they live and thrive in the uppermost layer of the body of water. The exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays decreases their ability to reproduce significantly. (2006, Global Warming).

Non-renewable & Renewable Energy Sources: Advantages & Disadvantages
Coal is considered a fossil fuel and is nonrenewable. It is found underground in mines.
Advantages
1. Coal is cost efficient because it's inexpensive while still generating a very large amount of electricity.
2. Coal is easily distributed and transported.
3. Coal usually is dependable because finding the oil is easy. Most of these fuels have reliable sources.
4. Coal is a ready made fuel. There is no need to convert these sources in order to produce energy.

Disadvantages
1. Coal produces carbon dioxide and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Coal can pollute the air and it's a major concern for the future.
2. Coal can produce sulfur dioxide which contributes to acid rain.
3. Mining is very dangerous. Coal miners can be killed or maimed due to collapses in the mines. It also ruins landscaping.
4. The price of coal can fluctuate depending on availability. (2006, Fuel Sources).

Uranium is nonrenewable radon; a form of radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium. It is nuclear energy found in the Earth.
Advantages
1. Uranium is a reliable nuclear energy source.
2. Uranium does not contribute to the greenhouse effect because it does not produce carbon dioxide or smoke.
3. Uranium produces very little waste which improves the environment.
4. Uranium is able to produce large amounts of energy from a small amount of fuel.
5. Uranium is cost efficient; it costs about the same as coal.

Disadvantages
1. Uranium is very dangerous to the health of people and wildlife.
2. Uranium contains radioactivity which must be buried for several years in order for it to no longer be dangerous.
3. Prolong Uranium or Radon exposure is responsible for cancer or respiratory problems.
4. The government spends a large sum of money in order to protect human and wildlife against overexposure to Uranium. It may be an inexpensive gas, but a lot more money is put into the safety of using Uranium. (2006, Fuel Sources).

Natural Gas is considered a fossil duel and is nonrenewable. It is found within the Earth's surface.
Advantages
1. Natural gas is inexpensive and natural, so conversion techniques are not required to produce energy.
2. Natural gas is easy to retrieve out of the ground.
3. Natural gas is considered a fossil fuel and is the cleanest one to burn.
4. A small amount of natural gas can produce a very large amount of energy. Natural gas also is very popular and found in a lot of homes.

Disadvantages
1. Natural gas is dangerous to people and wild life because it's highly flammable.
2. Natural gas can be toxic to people and animals if large amounts are inhaled.
3. Natural gas is becoming more expensive as resources are beginning to disappear. Consumers are paying more and more each year for gasoline to fuel their cars.
4. Transporting gas may cause spills which can ruin beaches and kill animals in the wild. (2006, Fuel Sources).

Hydropower is renewable and is fueled by water.
Advantages
1. Hydropower does not pollute the environment as other energy sources might because it is a clean source of power since it's fueled by water.
2. Hydropower is generally available when needed, which is helpful in producing more power. Once a dam is built, energy can be produced at a steady and constant rate.
3. Hydropower plants are expected to be in use for many years because they require little maintenance.
4. Hydropower is virtually free once the expensive dam is built.

Disadvantages
1. Fish population may be effected due to the excessive use of water for power. If fish are not able to migrate upstream, they will die and a large food stable will diminish.
2. Hydropower sources can be affected by a drought. If there is little or no water to be used the hydropower plants cannot generate power.
3. Hydropower dams are very expensive to build and must be constructed properly. Past events have proved dams are not always safe and may cause flooding in rural areas. Floods from dams have caused people to lose their homes and material possessions. Some people have also died.
4. Hydropower decreases the level of oxygen in the water which affects plant life. Plants may not receive enough nourishment in order to survive. (2006, Fuel Sources).

Solar power is renewable and fueled by the sun.
Advantages
1. Solar power is cost efficient because it's a free source of energy.
2. Solar power does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide and is safe for the environment. There is no pollution and it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
3. Solar power is an excellent source of renewable energy because the sun shines everyday. Not all renewable energy is available when necessary, but people know the next day the sun will shine.
4. The cost of using solar power will not increase as gasoline prices do.
5. Solar panels need very little or no maintenance after built for many years. The system is very independent.

Disadvantages
1. Solar power does not produce energy at night while the sun is down.
2. Solar power may be free but building and installing solar panels is very expensive. Often the solar panels and stations cost more than what the energy produced is worth.
3. Solar power is not a reliable source of energy because not all areas of the world are very sunny. In order to produce an adequate amount of energy there needs to be a lot of sun exposure. Certain areas with little sun cannot use the sun to power their energy.
4. Solar power may be affected by pollutants in the air and the weather. Very cloudy days block the sun which lessens the amount of energy produced. (2006, Fuel Sources).

Wind power is renewable and powered by wind forces.
Advantages
1. Wind power is virtually free once windmills are built. The windmills don't require a lot of maintenance and can run for years without problems.
2. Windmills are very tall and large. But the areas directly below can still be used for farming.
3. Windmills do not produce any gasses that are blown into the air. It is a very clean source of energy.
4. Windmills are a great way to produce electricity near remote areas that are not connected to a major electric grid.

Disadvantages
1. Wind power is unpredictable because not everyday has heavy winds. Some days have more than others.
2. Wind generators are very noisy and wouldn't be wanted near a person's house. Most windmills are on farms with many acres. They are not near houses because it would interrupt sleep and basic living.
3. Windmills can kill birds that fly into the panels.
4. Windmills need to be very large in order to provide adequate power to houses nearby. Unfortunately most windmills are not large enough to supply electricity to hundreds of homes. How many would be needed for hundred thousand homes? (2006, Fuel Sources).

References
Fuel Sources. (2006). Nonrenewable & Renewable Energy Sources. Energy Information Administration: Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government. Retrieved January 5, 2007 from http://www.eia.doe.gov
Global Warming. (2006). Ozone Depletion. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Retrieved November 7, 2006 from http://www.epa.gov/ozone