The problems associated with the use of non-renewable energy are two-fold. First, huge dependence on non-renewable energy puts pressure on the currently available resources. No matter how much you try to store non-renewable resources you'll one way or the other come back to consume them. And once used, they are gone. They can be exhausted.
Second, as these non-renewable energy resources are used to generate power, fuel our cars or heat our houses, the residue adversely affects the environment. In other words, what we get in return for power or warmth are a depleting ozone layer, global warming and environmental hazards that affect our health and quality of lives.
Non-renewable resources have been associated to be the cause of respiratory problems, neurological damage and even cancer. This is disheartening as we are exposed to pollution on a daily basis. In a study conducted by Harvard University, the estimated life cycle and public health cost from the effect of coal is $74.6 billion per annum.
The good news is that people are becoming more aware of the dangers facing them from the use of non-renewable energy resources. They are starting to understand how it affects the planet. And they are starting to see renewable energy as a necessity.
According to American Power and Gas CEO, Tom Cummins, “Renewable energy is really becoming a matter of good sense regardless of one’s stance regarding global warming or pollution. If you could power houses without polluting the environment, then you should do it. There is a lot more information on the topic that has been released to the public and society as a whole. This information gives us good reason to take action now.”
However, despite increasing public awareness, the sitting government seems unperturbed about the repercussions. It was reported for instance, that Donald Trump's 2018 budget proposal doesn't encourage research into renewable energy. Aside from the intention to sell off major American energy resources and infrastructure, he also cut $3.1 billion for energy research programs at the energy department. This is quite scary when you consider how much of a threat non-renewable energy is to life.
However, Tom believes that the government's unwillingness will not stop concerned private individuals from taking action. In an interview with Forbes, he said "We believe that if the government cuts back from research in renewable energy, private sector will take responsibility and will forward the research. It is also clear that no matter what anyone says renewable energy will be the future."
Note also that renewable energy sources can come in different forms like wind, solar, hydroelectric and biomass. What really makes it different from non-renewable resources, is that they are clean energy and cause little or no environmental hazard.
The benefits associated with this, are immense. From increased public health, reducing the risk of global warming, to providing more job opportunities, renewable energy provides an all-round coverage.
A lot of people used to have cold feet towards embracing it fully because they believe it is too expensive, but that is no longer the case presently. And according to Tom, “The more the people who use green energy, the more the prices go down. It’s really a matter of each individual taking responsibility and switching to green energy.”
A study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory reveal that renewable energy has the potential to drastically reduce the electricity sector's emissions by a whopping 81 percent. This stands to show that investment in renewable energy is a step in the right direction.
In fact, this is a welcome development as it was made known by the Energy Information Agency that the electricity sector accounts for 29 percent of the cause of global warming emissions.
I believe that the time has come for us to be more long ranged in our thinking. Every action, decision and policy has rippling effects on other people and the environment. Being more aware of the effects of what we do is the best place to start if we indeed want a better future.
Image Credit: Forbes