Wind power is the conversion of wind into a useful form of energy by the use of wind turbines. A wind turbine is a rotating machine which converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy. Wind power is the least expensive of all other forms of alternative energy. Wind power generation produces no carbon dioxide emissions. The use of wind power for most of our energy needs would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced, and sulfur dioxide which raises the acidity of the moisture in the air causing acid rain. An estimated 72 TW of wind power on the Earth potentially can be commercially viable.
Solar power is the generation of electricity from sunlight by the use of photovoltaic panels (solar panels). A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is a device that converts light into electric current using the photoelectric effect. Photovoltaic effect is the use photons from the sun to generate electricity. Though this the sun's energy is focused to boil water which is then used to provide power. Photovoltaic systems produces no carbon dioxide emissions. The sun generates more than 10,000 times the amount of energy the entire world consumes annually.
Hydro-power (water power) is energy that is derived from the force of moving water.Hydro-turbines use water power to generate hydroelectricity. Micro hydro power is probably the least common readily used renewable energy source, but has the potential to produce the most power and is more reliably than solar or wind power if the right river system is available. Water turbines produce power continuously. Hydro-power plants provide inexpensive electricity and produce no pollution.
Biofuel is liquid fuels derived mainly from plant materials. There are many forms of biofuel, the most important of these would be a third generation, such as algae. Biomass can supply all three forms of useful energy; heat, electricity and vehicle fuel. Energy crops have the potential to reduce green house gas emissions by more than 100% by using carbon in the soil as they grow.
Geothermal energy is heat from deep within the earth used to produce power. Geothermal energy originates from the original formation of the planet, from radioactive decay of minerals, and from solar energy absorbed at the surface. Geothermal power is cost effective, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly, but has historically been limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries.
Currently most of the world only uses about fifteen percent renewable energy source. That leaves eighty-five percent to fossil fuel. The percent of accessible fossil fuel left on the planet is between 990 billion to 1.1 trillion barrels. if we continue to use oil at the current rate of today, 24 billion barrels a year, we will run out by year 2043. And if our need for crude oil continues at an increasing rate it may be depleted as soon as year 2020. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, about ninety-five percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the USA comes from burning fossil fuel. The IPCC states that," In light of new evidence and taking into account the remaining uncertainties, most of the observed warming... is likely to have been due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations." Present emissions are almost 7 billion metric tons (Gton) per year. As of March 2009, carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is at a concentration of 387 ppm by volume.
Carbon dioxide emissions are thought to be the cause of environment and public health problems. It produces smog, acid rain, thermal pollution and waste, and polar ice caps disappearing. By the polar ice caps melting that itself produces a number of far worse problems. The effects on the Arctic are already visible, reduction of habitat, Stranded polar bears are drowning in large numbers as they try to swim hundreds of miles to find increasingly scarce ice floes, young walruses are vulnerable to being trampled to death in stampedes when disappearing sea ice forces walruses to come ashore. The effects of global warming and the ice caps melting could produce mass flooding all over the world. Forcing some to relocate further inland.
Alexandra Callista Busk
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