Why does the US need alternative energy sources?

Answer 1

There are many reasons/ motivations to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. The reasons include: 1. Limited supply: The earth has a finite capacity of commercially producible fossil fuels. This provides reason to use what we have for the most economic good. 2. Environment and health issues: There is no clean burning fossil fuel. All fossil fuels release CO2 and contribute to global warming. Other environmental impacts are acid rain and the release of volatile organic compounds hazardous to human health. You may do a search on wikipedia on air pollution, and find more on health hazards. 3. Economics: Importation of oil creates a trade deficit, which has serious economic consequences. As the supply diminishes, the cost to find and produce additional fossil fuels tends to increase, and this cost is passed on to the consumer. 4. Personal: Using fuel efficient cars, air conditioners, and reducing long commutes means you save money, especially as price of fuels rise.
The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) in industry, transport and the generation of electricity releases carbon dioxide (CO₂). This is a dangerous greenhouse gas which is causing global warming and climate change.

Answer 2

Approximately 40% of the energy consumed annually by the US is produced by burning oil. As of 2008, more than two-thirds of this oil is imported. With approximately 5% of the world's population, the US is responsible for approximately 25% of annual global oil consumption and according to 2008 estimates has a per-person daily consumption rate more than double that of the European union, whose population is significantly greater. American dependence on oil imports has grown from 35% in 1973 (the first year reliable data were collected) to 60% by the end of 2006. The Energy Information Administration pojects that US il imports will remain flat and consumption will grow, so net imports will decline to 54% of US oil consumption by 2030. The oil industry is involved in marketing oil products. Oil is also the raw material for many chemical products, including pharmaceuticals, solvents, fertilizers, pesticides, and plastics. Oil is vital to many industries, and is of importance to the maintenance of industrialized civilization itself, and thus is critical concern to US. Oil accounts for a large percentage of the US's energy consumption. In fact, 24% of the oil consumed in 2004 went to the US alone, though by 2007 this had dropped to 21% of world oil consumed. In the US, in the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) represents companies responsible for producing, distributing, refining, transporting and marketing petroleum. This non-profit trade association was founded in 1907, and is the oldest petroleum trade association in the US. Today, about 90% of vehicular fuel needs are met by oil. Petroleum also makes up 40% of total energy consumption in the US, but is responsible for only 2% of electricity generation. Oil's worth as a portable, dense energy source powering the vast majority of vehicles and as the base of many industrial chemicals makes it one of US's most important commodities.

Answer 3

The U.S. needs alternative sources because as things are, we're in bad shape. We pollute the atmosphere burning fossil fuels, and warm it too - creating the threat of global climate change. And we send billions of dollars offshore every month to buy petroleum creating a huge trade deficit. We also, by virtue of our dependence on foreign oil, leave ourselves subject to the whims of the producers or to any instability in the markets due to terrorism or other instrument of chaos.

We need to put our house in order as regards energy, and how we get and use the materials to produce that energy. And we need to start right now doing that.

The only useful forms of alternative energy current viable are hydro and nuclear. Wind and solar produce virtually no useful energy if you bother to add back in the fossil fuel plants that are running to support the wild variances these forms of energy produce. See the Related Question below.

Answer 4

Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) in industry, transport and the generation of electricity releases carbon dioxide (CO2). This is a greenhouse gas which is contributing to global warming.

Answer 5

Burning fossil fuels adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This additional gas is causing global warming.

Answer 6

we need energy