The hero we need…but the one we don’t seem to want
Is the Sun our answer to the dangers of Fossil Fuels?
In the realm of serviceable energy, fossil fuels are paramount. Nearly 87% of total fossil fuels produced are utilized for electric utilities worldwide. In the United States alone, fossil fuels produce nearly half of all electricity generated. Fossil fuels are undoubtedly one of the most used and effective resources for electricity on our planet, however; the damaging effects it has on our planet is detrimental. Planet-friendly substitutes for fossil fuels have been researched for years with great success, yet, there are no planetary efforts made toward transitioning into these substitutes. One substitute, solar energy, has the ability to replace fossil fuels completely, but there seems to be some hesitation legislatively when pushing for the switch.
The biggest reason why this switch is needed is because fossil fuels are deteriorating our planet. For instance, the IPCC has predicted that by the year 2100, assuming that current trends in burning fossil fuels continue, the surface of the Earth will warm on average by as much as 6 degrees Celsius. To put the increase in perspective, since the late 19th century, the Earth’s atmospheric temperature only increased by a single degree. This single degree played a role in the effects of global warming we witness today (loss in biodiversity, sea-level increase, etc.).
Furthermore, the setbacks of fossil fuels do not simply stop there. Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy resources, which means that it is possible to run out of this resource completely. Fossil fuels are derived from the remnants of plants and animals from centuries ago, but this limited nature of the resource makes it difficult to rely on indefinitely since it will eventually diminish. In addition, fossil fuels are the main contributors to air pollution on Earth. When converting fossil fuels to an energy source, the emissions from the conversions have undeniable effects to our planet’s air and water.
Efforts have been made to move toward healthier alternatives, solar and wind, since the early 20th century. Since 2010, the United States government has allocated a colossal $240 million in funding toward global warming related research, however; these efforts are being minimized by the mammoth daily production and use of these fossil fuels.The only questions that are left to ask are: How is solar energy better, and why hasn’t it replaced fossil fuels completely if it’s better for our planet?
Solar energy, energy generated from the sun’s radiation, is one of the most abundant and sustainable resources we have in our universe. According to NASA, we will have access to solar energy for as long as the sun is alive — another 6.5 billion years. Furthermore, the most important reason for the switch toward solar alternatives is the fact that solar energy is environmental-friendly. According to UCSUSA, solar energy has no negative effects toward our atmosphere and does not contribute toward major issues such as global warming. From this, it is clear that solar energy reduces our dependence on non-renewable energy sources and is a much healthier alternative, which is an important step in fighting the climate crisis.
If solar resources are so much better than fossil fuels and are better for our planet, why are we still using fossil fuels? Although solar energy carries a plethora of pros, it harbors many cons as well. For example, cost is the biggest problem facing the universal utilization of solar energy. On average, solar energy panels cost a mere $2 per watt on a solar panel system. This leads to an average of $18,500 for a residential solar panel. In comparison, regular fossil fuels costs 10.59 cents per watt, giving a monthly electric bill average around $113. Although the solar panel is a one time cost, it is a far inferior option to fossil fuels in terms of cost and affordability. Furthermore, solar energy requires space, space we don’t seem to have. The global mean power density for solar radiation is 170 W/m². This is more than any other renewable energy source, but not comparable to oil, gas and nuclear power. Although solar energy has its setbacks, it is irrational to see the cons of solar energy far superior to that of fossil fuels.
There are a number of reasons why I advocate for the worldwide elimination of fossil fuels, and the thought of our planet one day withering away is the main one. We cannot continue to ignore the effects fossil fuels has on our Earth and be ignorant to the idea of leaving future generations with a “beat down” and used planet. Solar energy is our future and we need to make a more collective effort in moving toward it. If we continue to use solar energy on a minuscule scale and use fossil fuels abundantly, as humankind, we are moving toward a very dangerous era. An era in which global warming will be playing a lead role and we are just sitting in the background.
