Restructuring of Energy

The biggest problem we face as the inhabitants on this planet is making sure we switchover from non-renewable energy resources and begin going to renewable energy resources. We through the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas which by burning them release a cesspool of carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, ETC. is but only one of the issues related from the use of non-renewable energy resources. By using these non-renewable energy resources, we not only release toxins to the air, but we also effect the water on the planet, and in the end, when you have destroyed the water and air, all living carbon based life forms on the planet will no doubt be effected. Another downfall outside of the obvious attack on living creatures the use of these non-renewable energy resources provide is the destruction of the land. If we did not have a need for such items as coal, we could avoid the destruction of land being turned in strip-mine after strip-mine. Now don't get me wrong, there have been some cases so far, where the government has strictly enforced reconstruction of the land where strip-mining was performed in which the after effect has been amazing. I myself have visited a wildlife preserve in which it was the after affect of strip-mining. Only a few cases of positive restructuring of the environment do not make up for the fact that there are site in which we have not done anything at all. I will admit the 1977 Federal strip mine law did improve things on the general, but that is merely one country. There are many places out there where a law like this is still in need. Because when looking at a global issue, when only one country looks the other countries might be blind.

Moving on from coal, we still have two other infractions on the global situation, as those are oil and natural gas. Now, outside of the end pollution Natural gas does not appear to have too many ecological problems. The basics are, they drill a pipe and take the gas. They do not have to divert mass acres of land for its taking, and surprisingly the end pollution is far less than other sources of fossil fuel burning. However, if we end coal and oil use to make a switch to natural gas, we are merely "passing the problem from one hand to the other." Because the result will still be depletion of this natural resource and the importing of toxins from its' burning into the environment. Nevertheless, the third major factor in non-renewable fuels is the use of Petroleum oil. Oil, by so many uses releases the mass amount of toxins into the environment, and even worse has become the biggest destructor of land and water. In addition, in some cases oil has destroyed an ecosystem not by its use, but because of its accidental release into the environment. Might I mention the Exxon Valdez and Prince William Sound disaster, (The Encyclopedia of Earth, 1999) as this disaster alone has become one of the largest oil release disasters in history. In addition, on top of all of this we still have another issue, global warming. Which most conservatives like to stress global warming is a fraud, or a hoax. They can in fact keep that opinion. However there is no way to fully deny that even if global warming is a natural cycle this planet does run on, to ignore the fact we are not helping the issue with the continued burning of fossil fuel only reflects stupidity on the non-believer.

On the use of non-renewable energy resources there are no non-living factors, however the living factors are simple, Humans use them far too much. It is just that simple. There is no need to "sugar coat the example" we literally are destroying the environment, period. Moreover, our impact is only one direction, negative. No way to get around this, there is no magic wand to wave to say "all better" afterwards. As we burn the fossil fuels, we destroy the environment, period. In addition, over more and more time we allow this to proceed, the more we destroy the environment to the point of which we and every other living life form on this planet will be destroyed. There is just but one method to strop this stupidity, stop the use of non-renewable energy resources and just use renewable energy resources. The easiest way to insure that we can stop the use of non-renewable resources is to rectify a plan in at least the major countries such As the United States of America, Canada, The European Union and in the Asian Region with Countries such as India, Japan and China. These countries are to the better degree the biggest users of non-renewable energy methods. If these countries or at least one of them begins switching over, the rest will follow and eventually it will become a worldwide method. The basic issue is to remove the use of fossil fuel. This can be done through a time-period of about 25 years. To attempt this immediately overnight would not only garner large amounts of resistance, but might even crush the plan on the whole. The plan would begin with a government implementing the act into law. Then over the course of next 5 years, first phase would have to be achieved before subject gating the second phase.

The First Phase

During the first phase, we would begin to send resources to companies and universities with grants to research, develop and begin converting already known industries and items the public use, such as automobiles and household appliances to be either energy sufficient on their own, or use alternative energies. Some automakers have already begun strict research into the use of an electric automobile. There would be investment into more efficient power sources such as improving solar, wind and hydro powered energy resources. Any and all items that are currently running on fossil fuel, must be researched to verify a new item can be put on the market, and be affordable with the same price range as the current market values. Another set of time research should include battery technology, how to improve their life. To show an example; we currently we have cell phone batteries that can provide 40 hours off of a 20 minute charge. Now this came about because people were searching batteries for automobile hybrid technology. My theory is, if we devote time to research every electric operated item. We might be able to make items such as an electric lawnmower, which might be able to run off a small battery that was only charged for 5 minutes, and would use a high-energy solar cell to collect more energy to help provide hours of service. Moreover, possible to if the owner left in the sun for an hour, the 5-minute plug in the wall might not even have to come into play. Another part of the first phase would to [provide research into to converting the current items into non-fossil fuel buring items. Such as conversions for automobiles, and converting home gas heating into electric. Even airplanes should be researched during this phase. The first phase, which is only 5 years, would be devoted to this concept.

The Second Phase

During the second phase, there would be the implementation of these new technologies into society. Automakers, if they wish to sell cars in this country would be required to sell an electric model as well. If they were unable to provide an electric model, they would not be able to sell any automobiles in these countries and of course any country that is participating in this program. I think by having this country provide some advantage upon other countries would enable our authorization to insure they are complying with the agreement. We are doing it now with other countries such as China and Mexico. We would also provide grants to other companies to keep cost low on the public, and offer incentives to the public in the form of stimulus programs to purchase these newer items or stimulus monies to convert existing items over to non-fossil burning items. The reason why this is considered the second phase is, the concept here is to replace or convert at least 1/3 of the items. Another part of this phase would be to set up renewable energy power plants. For every coal/oil/natural gas-burning power plant dismantled during this phase, a minimum of 20 solar farms should be erected. Later in phase three, we can go to a one for four methods, but we need to remain aggressive during this initial converting phase in order to insure the energy needs are met. As for air travel, I can only hope if no proper research could be completed during the initial five-year research and development phase, they would still be continued to be researched. The object here is to completely remove fossil fuel burning.

The Third Phase

During the third and final phase, we should be pushing the results of converting from non-renewable sources to renewable resources from 1/3 to 100% during this last phase, which will be held over an additional 10 years. By government backing, at the end of this phase the plug will be pulled on any and all fossil fuel burning power plants. Moreover, laws will be put in place that fueling stations for automobiles will have been either converted to electric based or closed. Automobiles that still are unconverted, will no longer remain street legal. There may be sports such as racing that still rely on fossil fuel. However, a concept of restructuring the electric conversion should be present there as well. Airplanes might be the only thing left on fossil-fuels, as long as serious research can still be done to convert aircraft fleets over.

On the final day of the 25^th year, no gas burning automobiles permitted on the road, house items are converted from gas to electric, and the power plants which dumped the toxins into the air are either converted or closed for good. Then on the next day, the planet can do what it needs to do, repair the air, as we have stopped defecating on the environment. I have to admit I would like to use a stronger word there, because the words I have chosen still do not show the solid truth of the matter.

The governments of at least one of the major powers need to begin, and the rest will follow. Society, for the better part wants to do the right thing. Sure there are some who claim to care, but this is one of those "Put up or shut up" moments. The Republican party alone will either have to back this, or remove the words conservative from their doctrines', due to the fact that would not actually be supporting a truly conservative value. And in respect, as we have recently dealt with in the Television conversion, doing things over time is the best method. It not only helps the public, but the economy as well. Moreover, I find that program of just switching over TV sets, to be a good example.