Fossil fuelsThe most commonly used fossil fuels are oil, coal, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources, so we will not be able to rely on them forever. In addition, burning fossil fuels is harmful to the environment. Emissions from fossil fuel use contribute to climate change and cause air pollution. In many cases, relying on fossil fuels is the best option from a practical standpoint—either in terms of money, local geography, or the systems already in place in a community.
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Nuclear energyNuclear energy is produced by the fission of uranium atoms—that is, a chain reaction set off when a neutron strikes and splits a uranium atom, which then strikes and splits nearby atoms. Only about 6% of the world’s energy is produced in nuclear power plants, partially because of concerns over how these plants operate. Nuclear waste is a byproduct of energy production, and it can be difficult to dispose of this waste properly. Connecticut’s low-level nuclear waste (from any source—this includes contaminated items from hospitals) is stored at a site in Barnwell, South Carolina. Interestingly, nuclear energy is one of two options for providing energy for long-term space missions. The other option is solar power.
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Solar powerFor a long time, solar power was not particularly cost effective due to the relatively small amount of energy that could be stored. Technology is improving all the time, making solar energy a better and better option. Solar energy is plentiful—the earth is constantly bombarded with 10,000 times more solar energy than the total energy we currently use. The problem is turning the energy striking the earth’s surface into a power source. Solar panels take up space, and open areas are not always sunny areas. In addition, there are concerns about ruining environments by covering deserts with solar panels. We should continue to pursue solar power, but it’s important to be smart about how we’re proceeding.
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Wind powerThe United States has one of the biggest wind markets in the world. Like solar power, wind power taps into a natural phenomenon to provide large amounts of energy. Also similar to solar power, wind power faces some challenges. Birds and bats can be killed by flying into wind turbines, which can take up large tracts of land. It can be challenging to find suitable areas to put wind farms, since not all geography is equally windy.
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HydropowerCompared to other renewable energy sources, hydropower is very old technology. It’s relatively inexpensive to produce, and many facilities have been designed to quickly adjust to changes in energy demand—which is very helpful in blackouts. Some facilities, such as the Hoover Dam, are large, but many are quite small and are used very locally. Hydropower can only be used where there’s sufficient flowing water, and dams can damage ecosystems. However, like solar and wind power, hydropower is still a sustainable energy option that should continue to be researched and developed.
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