Our world runs on coal, gas, wood and fossil fuel. Although an easy and dependable source of power, fossil fuels and their by-products are the major contributors to the environmental deterioration of the planet. Growing population and rapid industrialization have put a strain on our world and its finite supply of natural resources. Yet it’s only a matter of time before the supply of fossil fuel runs out.

The good news is, we have come up with promising alternative sources of energy. By harnessing the infinite resources of the sun, the wind, water and the tides, we have come up with non-perishable and non-polluting substitutes for fossil fuel. Furthermore, the same chemical reaction that produces the sun’s massive energy, nuclear fusion has become a real, viable and very powerful alternative. Although all of these measures are not entirely devoid of negative consequences, they are considered to be far less damaging than those sustained by fossil fuels.

Solar Energy

In sunny Florida and sun-drenched California, houses gleam with big shiny panels on the roofs. These homes are part of the growing number of American families whose energy needs are being met by solar power.

Harnessing the sun’s energy is relatively simple technology. Solar cells, typically referred to as “photovoltaic” cells, transform sunlight directly into electricity. The electricity generated from solar cells can be used to power practically all gadgets – from simple calculators and wristwatches to central heating systems and swimming pools.

Why switch to solar? First of all, the sun’s energy supply is unlimited. In fact, the sun provides us with enough solar energy in a day to meet our worldwide consumption needs for a year. To join this silent revolution you will need the latest solar panels. Although solar panels can be quite an expensive investment, the reduction of your household’s energy requirements translates into hefty savings in the long run. And if that’s not enough, there’s also the fact that you have done your bit for our planet’s growing environmental problem.

Nuclear Energy

Stars are products of a nuclear reaction, the process wherein two nuclei collide. This causes a release of immense energy, enabling these balls of fire to shine for billions of years. And the good news is, there is a way to use this massively powerful chemical reaction in our very own planet.

This highly controversial technology also shows the most potential. Immense energy is produced through nuclear reaction and if harnessed safely and effectively, nuclear energy could solve most of the world’s fossil fuel shortage. Currently, nuclear energy is produced using the nuclear fission theory, where the nuclei of atoms are split to release energy. However, this technology, as unfortunately demonstrated by the Chernobyl explosion, has proven to be very dangerous and prone to leaks and emission of toxic waste.

A much safer option lies with fusion power. In nuclear fusion, two atomic nuclei are joined together to form a heavier nucleus, thus releasing huge amounts of energy in the process. Though still in its early stages of development, nuclear fusion might just be the answer to our enormous demand for alternative energy.

Geothermal Energy

The mighty Romans were one of the first people to harness and enjoy the beauty of geothermal energy. Men have used hot springs for bathing, cooking food and removing feathers and skin from game. Fast forward several thousand years and the ancient hot springs are now today’s urbane health spas and heated swimming pools. Still, hot water and steam are used for far more than rest and relaxation. In fact, they can be channeled to generate electricity.

Geothermal energy is heat derived from the earth’s core. Wide-scale use of geothermal energy is obtained by drilling wells into reservoirs to enable hot water from the earth’s core to be processed and converted into usable electricity. Since it doesn’t entail denudation of forests and damming of rivers, geothermal energy is an affordable and sustainable answer to our acute dependence on fossil fuels.

Fuel cells

Experts predict that fuel cell technology will become one of the world’s most widely used alternative sources of environmental-friendly energy. This technology has shown such potential that governments in various countries have shown their support for research and development of fuel cells.

Basically, a fuel cell is similar to a battery in the sense that it converts chemicals to energy through a device. Powered by hydrogen and oxygen, a fuel cell produces heat and electricity infinitely as it does not require recharging. Since fuel cells rely on chemistry and not combustion, there is no polluting emissions or toxic wastes. Moreover, since hydrogen is a renewable resource, fuel cells are a cleaner and more efficient alternative to fossil fuels.

With global warming becoming increasingly hard to ignore, the challenge is to seek out better alternatives to fossil fuel. With oil prices rising and the supply of wood and coal dwindling, now is definitely the time to make the switch.

Bookmark to