Get a Clue: Renew

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
by albertf

Given our current linear system of consumption, the use of renewable energy would be a better alternative. After watching a video “The Story of Stuff,” it is obvious to me that we cannot continue the way we are going. Thinking about conserving energy and preserving the environment can greatly improve the daily lives of so many people. This video explained the issues with U.S. consumption and how it has become a huge part of daily life and how alternatives need to be utilized in order to shift the direction of the consumption process. Renewable energy sources can be replenished quickly so it would be more useful and much better for the environment. The five most used renewable sources of energy are biomass, water, geothermal, wind, and solar.

Biomass has been the most used renewable energy source. Renewable energy in the United stated is not a new idea, in fact, 125 years ago, wood facilitated up to 90% of our energy needs. Wood is a biomass source of energy, and because of the convenience and low prices of fossil fuels then, wood use became less prominent in the United States. Other biomass sources of energy include wood waste, municipal solid waste, landfills and bio gas, bio diesel, and ethanol. These renewable energy sources mostly go to electricity, and also to heat and fuels. Ethanol, a biomass energy source, can be used for transportation and heating buildings. Fossils fuels have been less expensive than renewable energy in the past.

Although times have changed, and the price of fossil fuels has gone up exponentially, it has remained unmoved from the leading source of energy in the United States. Renewable energy in recent times (2007) only makes up 7% of the nation’s energy supply.

Of that 7%, 1% is solar, 36% hydroelectric (water), 5% geothermal, 53% biomass, and 5% wind energy. Biomass is the leading source of renewable energy. It is organic material made from plants and animals. If its use is increased, I think it would be the best to overcome the linear system of consumption. It allows the process of consumption to be a cycle rather than a line. If the process continues in a line, then eventually there will be nothing left.

Biomass consists of energy from the sun because it is absorbed by plants and then consumed by animals. It is renewable because we are always able to grow more plants and waste will always exist. Therefore wood, crops, manure, and garbage can always be used for energy. When burned, these can produce energy and it can be much less expensive. Wood waste and some garbage can make steam for electricity or even to heat homes and industries when burned. Even without burning them, biomass can be converted to other usable forms of energy. Methane gas, ethanol, and bio diesel are some of these fuels.

If we decrease our reliance on non-renewable fuels, it would help to limit pollution and maybe even lower the prices for electricity, heat, and transportation. This could drastically improve the lives of so many Americans. Using Biomass energy can limit waste drastically and support agricultural products grown in the United States. Fuels made from biomass sources also help the environment. Fossils fuels release so many pollutants, and cutting down on their use would significantly reduce toxic waste. Increasing the use of solar power, wind power, and waterpower, can help diversify the way we get energy and decrease our reliance on one method. Using fossil fuels can be a quick fix to the problem of consumption instead of a permanent solution. Instead of ignoring the very unsuccessful consumption process, Americans should take firm action in changing it. There are ways to limit these issues, and firmly transforming how we exploit our resources is the only way it can be fixed.

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