Non-renewable Energy Report

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Homework 5 - Non-Renewable Energy Report
INTRODUCTION
Oil is one of the many non-renewable energy sources. It is a dark liquid that is found underground. Oil formed millions of years ago when the oceans became filled with plankton and plants (Norwegian Petroleum). After the planktons and plants died, they were buried under sand and mud. Pressure and heat then turned the remains into oil. Oil can be found in different parts of the country including the Middle East, the United States (U.S.), China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the North Sea.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Oil was useful to man even before the advent of industrialization. In the middle east, the Babylonians, present-day Iraqis used oil as a waterproof mechanism (Abdula 97). Also, they used the resource as mortar during construction. In Egypt, oil was used in preparing mummies, which helped in the preservation of corpses. In the mid-nineteenth century, various individuals especially in the U.S. realized the potential of oil. After industrialists discovered the multiple by-products of refining oil, they began exploring for oil reserves. Oil became the source of kerosene, and later, fuel, which was used to drive cars.
CURRENT USAGE
Today, oil is used in almost every commercial, residential, and industrial activity. The importance of oil has become so great that it is the sole determinant of commodity prices (Güney 390). Oil is considered a non-renewable energy source because it cannot be replenished and then re-extracted. Oil is formed out of nature. Today, most of the oil reserves in the world have already been discovered. The global demand for oil exceeds its supply. Thus, industrialists and governments are looking for alternative sources of energy (Güney 392). The current oil reserves are being controlled to avoid their complete depletion.
ENERGY COMPARISON
Coal is one of the earliest energy sources known to mankind. However, unlike oil, coal produces much more pollutants and leads to deforestation. Although oil also has its pollutants, its extraction does not cause as much harm to the environment like coal. Compared to coal, oil is much more efficient. Oil has lesser pollutants and can be refined to produce multiple products (Güney 392). Nuclear energy is another non-renewable energy source. The discovery of nuclear energy rendered oil obsolete. Compared to oil, nuclear energy has lesser pollutants. Also, its land footprint is smaller compared to oil. These two factors make nuclear energy more efficient than oil.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT