Alternative Energy vs. Fossil Fuels. Social Sciences. Research Paper

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Alternative Energy vs. Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels continue to play vital roles in different regions and sectors of the economy around the globe including the US. While coal is mostly used in the production and generation of electricity, crude oil and natural gas are essential in heating establishments including homes and in transportation (Denchak n.p). For one, 99% of the energy for cars is derived from crude oil that has been refined and transformed into gasoline and diesel. Despite these benefits and the significance of fossil fuels in society, their usage has been associated with the devastating impacts of climate change that are being witnessed globally because they contain high amounts of carbon (Boyle 23). Similarly, fossil fuels are non-renewable and unsustainable (Haugen and Musser 30). Based on these negative facts and consequences of fossil fuels, consultative talks have warranted for change to alternative energy which comprises of not only nuclear but also renewable sources of energy. Some of the notable sources of alternative and renewable energy include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and emerging technologies such as tidal and wave power (Miralles-Quirós, and Miralles-Quirós 543). Unlike fossil fuels, alternative sources of energy are environmental-friendly, renewable, sustainable, have low-maintenance requirements and can be generated locally and as such, it is prudent that they are adopted worldwide.
Understanding Fossil Fuels and their Negative Consequences
Fossil fuels have for over a century been used in the generation of energy used not only in propelling cars and powering businesses but also in lighting and heating up homes. According to Denchak, “Coal and crude oil are deemed as being fossil fuels due to the fact that they took years to develop from the rotten remains of both plants and animals” (n.p). Based on the above statement, fossil fuels are commonly rich in carbon. It is estimated that fossil fuels are capable of supplying close to 80% of the global energy requirements (Denchak n.p). Coal for instance supplies more than 1/3 of the energy worldwide with countries such as the US, China and India being identified as some of the top coal consumers and producers (Denchak n.p). Similarly, refined crude oil in the form of gasoline and diesel is commonly used in transportation and in providing heat not only in factories but also home.
However, despite the above benefits of fossil fuels they have been attributed with several negative consequences that warrant for change to alternative sources of energy. To begin with, fossil fuels have been identified as one of the leading causes of environmental degradation. The unearthing and production of oil and coal results in land degradation that significantly impacts not only landscapes but also ecosystems. On the same breadth, the development of fossil fuels is also a threat to waterways. From Boyle’s perspective, “Coal mining operations tend to pollute watering points including rivers and lakes and consequently reduce the quality of water used by animals and human beings” (23). The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is one notable example where the mining of crude oil went wrong and resulted in the pollution of a large water body and several people dead. Furthermore, fossil fuels are also heavily involved in air pollution. It is estimated that more than 13 million people in America are exposed to toxic fumes from fossil fuels daily and as such, puts their health and lives at risk (Denchak n.p).
Secondly, fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy (Haugen, and Musser 30). As such, they are identified as finite resources that will be depleted and exhausted in the foreseeable future. It is estimated that the amounts of coal deposits around the globe will be depleted in about 120 years while gas will be exhausted in 55 years (Haugen and Musser 37). Unlike renewable sources of energy like solar and wind, fossil fuels take millions of years to be formed.
Alternative Energy
With the world grappling from devastating impacts of climate change that have been characterized by prolonged periods of rainfall and drought and the fast rate at which global deposits of fossil fuels are being exhausted, it has become imperative that alternative sources of energy are identified. Alternative energy comprises of both renewable and nuclear energy and basically entails energy that is not obtained from fossil fuels (Haugen and Musser 31). Nonetheless, alternative energy is considered clean and is acquired from natural sources and processes that are also easily replenished.
Despite the aspect of alternative energy gaining significant traction since the turn of the 21st century, societies and communiti...