Fossil Fuels, Alternatives, and Politics in 2012

FOSSIL FUELS, Alternatives, & POLITICS 2012 Reliance on fossil fuels has been a concern to government and the public for decades. Many want to abolish their use because of pollution, global warming and sustainability projections. Some deny the need for clean energy and in reject projections as misinformation. Which side is right? Let's take a look at the hard facts about energy production. FOSSIL FUELS Sustainability The U.S. has 500 billion tonsS of known coal reserves At current consumption levels, estimates are that these reserves could last between 120 and 240 years. Environmental Impact Fossil fuels release sulphur dioxide nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide Pollutants in Various Fossil Fuels (in Ibs. of emission per billion BTUS): Natural Gas Carbon Dioxide 117,000 Carbon Monoxide 40 Nitrogen Oxides 92 Sulfur Dioxide | Particulates 7 Mercury 0 Oil Carbon Dioxide 164,000 Carbon Monoxide 133 Nitrogen Oxides 448 Sulfur Dioxide 1,122 Particulates 84 Mercury 0.007 Coal Carbon Dioxide 208,000 Carbon Monoxide 208 Nitrogen Oxides 457 Sulfur Dioxide 2,591 Particulates 2,744 Mercury 0.016 Productivity Statistics 41% of the world's energy production is coal 20% of it is natural gas 6% is oil Total Proportion of Coal Energy in Developed/Developing Countries The People's Republic of China United States 49% 79% South Africa Australia 93% 77% Politics 70% of Americans oppose subsidies for "coal, oil, and natural gas companies" There are $409 billion in global government funds allocated to fossil fuels Mitt Romney Obama supports development of fossil fuels: opposes subsidies: "As we continue to pursue "Ensure that policies for expanding energy clean energy technologies that will support future economic growth, development apply broadly to energy sources, we should not devote from oil and gas exploration, to coal mining, to the siting of wind, solar, hydroelectric, scarce resources to subsidizing the use of fossil fuels produced by some of the largest, most profitable companies in the world." and other renewable energy facilities." ALTERNATIVES Nuclear Sustainability Breeder reactors convert certain types of uranium into plutonium, and thorium to uranium Our 30M tons of uranium could last 300 years The 2B ton ocean reserve is good for 20,000 years The 22B ton reserve above 20 ppm concentration can provide 220,000 years of power Environmental Impact Produces operational and decommissioning waste Storage and transport history shows no technical management problem Industry takes responsibility for its waste and costs Nuclear waste actually declines in toxicity - most wastes don't No CO, SO, or nitrogen oxide emissions Productivity Statistics 13.5% of the world's power is nuclear PROS: CONS: Converting to nuclear would reduce emissions Negative stigma It can sustain us while we devise more viable alternatives Scientists believe other energy practices pose greater public health risks than nuclear power Nuclear Energy and Politics Obama pushes for safe use of nuclear energy: Romney plans to. "Revitalize nuclear power by "Obviously, all energy sources have their downside equipping the NRC to approve new designs and to license approved reactor designs on approved sites within two years." -I mean we saw that with the gulf spill last summer. But I do think it's important for us to think through constantly how can we improve nuclear technologies to deal with additional safety concerns that people have." Hydro Sustainability Hydroelectric plants don't pollute land, air, or water, using only flowing water for energy Environmental Impact Dams provide water control, irrigation, quality, and can help debris settle faster Facilities can add salmon runs and resting places for migrating birds Productivity Statistics Hydropower generates approximately 16% of global electricity 96% of the renewable energy in the United States is hydropower Low failure rates, low costs, reliable PROS: CONS: 100% renewable energy resource Consumes least resources of any power source Not meeting current global electricity needs Not likely to adapt to growing population Minimal environmental impact Reliable Hydroelectric Power and Politics Obama's U.S. Secretary of energy Stephen Chu states: "There's no one solution to Romney does not have any major interest in hydropower. the energy crisis, but hydropower is clearly part of the solution and represents a major opportunity to create more clean energy jobs." Although our civilizations are heavily reliant on fossil fuels, a large-scale effort to transition into clean energy is the best plan for future generations. PROVIDED BY: BEST-MPH-PROGRAMS.COM SOURCES: http://online.wsj.com/article/SBI24414770220386457.html http://www.sustainable-environment.org.uk/Resources/Fossil_Fuels.php http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp http://www.worldcoal.org/coal/uses-of-coal/coal-electricity/ http://environment.yale.edu/climate/the-climate-note/do-americans-support-or-oppose-subsidies-for-fossil-fuels/ http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/18/business/fossil-fuel-subsidies/index.html http://www.mittromney.com/sites/default/files/shared/energy_policy_white_paper.pdf http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/291639/obama-vilifies-fossil-fuels-robert-bryce http://channellingthestrongforce.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-nuclear-power-sustainable.html http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf09.html http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/air-emissions.html http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf09.html http://www.mittromney.com/sites/default/files/shared/energy_policy_white_paper.pdf http://www.usbr.gov/power/edu/pamphlet.pdf http://www.iea-etsap.org/web/E-TechDS/PDF/E07-hydropower-GS-gct.pdf http://srren.ipcc-wg3.de/report/IPCC_SRREN_Ch05.pdf http://www.usbr.gov/power/edu/pamphlet.pdf http://www.mittromney.com/sites/default/files/shared/energy_policy_white_paper.pdf