Good Essay On Renewable Energy

Prospectus

Crude oil is a vital natural resource that is needed for the survival of humanity in the modern, highly-industrialized world. Oil is responsible for making machineries function and without it, the modern civilization will also collapse. The world faces one reality- oil supply is limited as it takes time to find and extract this raw material and the future is a threat of oil crisis. The entire globe depends on this vital commodity that the scarcity of oil supply is alarming; thus, the subject on finding a better and renewable alternative is of great importance.

Annotated Bibliography

Chu, Steven and Arun Majumdar. “Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable Energy Future.” Nature 488 (2012): pp. 294-303.
Chu and Majumdar illustrate that improvements in vehicles’ “energy efficiency is a possible solution to lessen oil dependency.” (Chu and Majumdar, p.295) They suggest that fuel-cell-powered electric motors, battery-based electrification, and liquid-transportation fuels are among the viable options that can be used by car manufacturers to solve oil dependency in the future. Lastly, they recommend the generation of electricity through solar, wind, carbonised fossil fuels and nuclear power that is cleaner and cheaper as compared to electricity generation from oil.
This article is a beneficial resource for my research as it examines the feasibility of several alternative energy sources. It helped me understand that oil dependency can be solved in a number of ways, but some methods are expensive and give meager contribution in reducing the world’s need for oil. The authors treat the subject objectively that they do not only focus on a single alternative; rather, they explore the pros and cons of different renewable energy sources. They cite that everyone must do their share in solving energy crisis. “With additional engagement of the scientific, financial and public-policy communities, as well as the general public, we can accelerate the transition to affordable, accessible and sustainable energy that will power economic growth, increase energy security and mitigate the risks of climate change.” (Chu and Majumdar, p.302)
Kerr, Richard. “Do We Have the Energy for the Next Transition?” Science 329.5993 (2010): 780-781.
Richard Kerr states that it would be a difficult and slow move to find cleaner fossil fuels in the future. He emphasizes that while there are available renewable energy alternatives, they are less useful and inconvenient as compared to fossil fuels. He quotes Kaufmann who says that ““the best thing to do is reduce consumption,” (Kerr 781) and not to rely on alternatives.
This article is a useful resource for my paper as it explores both the benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy. He cites that renewable energy is costly, but “it doesn’t produce the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.” (Kerr, p.781) Kerr discusses the topic with utmost impartiality that it serves as a credible resource.
Mckibben, Bill. “Our Energy Challenge.” National Geographic. 2009. Web. 30 Mar. 2015.<http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/03/energy-challenge/mckibben-text>
Bill Mckibben highlights the importance of energy in everyday use. He explains that the high consumption of energy today have brought two major problems that will create two faces of the future. “A future where we are running out of some of the energy we need and can't use the rest for fear of wrecking the atmosphere.” (Mckibben, p. 2)
This article is a useful resource because it thoughtfully discusses the causes of energy scarcity. It provides credible data of the world’s energy consumption and creates a vision of the future of energy. He cites a report from the Energy Information Administration that says that the “world energy consumption would increase 50 percent by 2030.” (Mckibben, p.3) Mckibben is a reliable author as he is a correspondent for the respected institution that is the National Geographic.
“The end of oil?” TED. 2012. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. <http://www.ted.com/playlists/58/the_end_of_oil>
This podcast contains 13 presentations that discuss possible solutions for tomorrow’s energy crisis. One of its highlights is the 17-year old Taylor Wilson who recommends that a nuclear reactor (that he built when he was 14) can solve the future’s energy needs. His presentation also proves that “even kids can change the world.” (The end of oil?)
The video is a good resource for my research because it provides the differing views of people coming from different sectors. The podcast features nuclear scientist, writer, chemistry and fusion and energy professors, environmentalists, entrepreneurs and other credible personalities. A talk from Saul Griffith discusses an amazing invention that can generate electricity. These are “giant kite turbines that create surprising amounts of clean, renewable energy.” (The end of oil?) This podcast from Ted Talk highlights the creativity and genius of man to create amazing alternative energy resources that I once thought was not possible.

Works Cited

Chu, Steven and Arun Majumdar. “Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable Energy Future.” Nature 488 (2012): pp. 294-303.
Kerr, Richard. “Do We Have the Energy for the Next Transition?” Science 329.5993 (2010): 780-781.
Mckibben, Bill. “Our Energy Challenge.” National Geographic. 2009. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. <http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/03/energy-challenge/mckibben-text>
“The end of oil?” TED. 2012. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. <http://www.ted.com/playlists/58/the_end_of_oil>