Every sector of the economy requires energy for its daily activities. Manufacturing, transport, security and several other areas are heavily dependent on energy. It should also be noted that the use of energy has a great influence on the development of the world since most technology has been improved courtesy of energy.
However, lately, people have become concerned with the negative environmental and health repercussions that have been associated with various forms of energy. In this regard, many have argued that fossil fuels should be done away with because they have negative impacts on the environment. Nevertheless, there is contention as to whether the proposal of doing away with fossil fuel energy is feasible or not, given the current technology and ability.
Fossil fueled energy forms the largest percentage of energy that is used in the world today. Beginning from domestic chores to the transport sector, to various industries for commercial manufacturing, fossil fuels are responsible for every activity that requires energy. It has been elucidated on many occasions that fossil-fueled energy forms about 90% of the world energy.
Coal, Oil, and natural gas, which are considered the world’s most used sources of fuel are all fossil fuels. With the increasing need for energy to run virtually everything in this world, the production of energy needs to be increased with time. Fossil fueled energy form the most reliable energy source that can be used to sustain the world and keep each sector moving, at least shortly. On the same note, it should be noted that fossil fuel produces a higher quantity of energy compared to other sources of energy.
Similarly, the internal combustion engine, which is a major component in the manufacturing industry, besides being domestically influential, uses fossil-fueled energy. Though efforts are being made to advance technology that will see internal combustion engines use energy from other sources, there are a lot of challenges, and there is no sign of success insight.
On the same note, petroleum is very vital in the production of electricity, especially in places where the generation of hydro-electric power is difficult. Without fossil-fueled energy the transport system will come to a standstill because up to this moment, there are no other forms of energy that can be used to fuel vehicles, trains, ships, and airplanes. On the other hand, fossil fuel plays a very vital role in the economy of many nations. In every sector of the economy fossil fuel form a paramount input which ensures completion of various activities, thus bringing income to the economy.
Despite the importance of fossil-fueled energy, there are concerns about its impacts on the environment as well as the possibility of its depletion. Fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide and water when burned while producing energy. However, under circumstances where there is insufficient air, carbon monoxide is emitted.
Furthermore, the price of fossil fuel is ever-increasing, which makes its use increasingly expensive. Similarly, it is predicted that shortly the sources of fossil fuels will be exhausted, which calls for the search of alternative sources of energy that are sustainable. Moreover, oil spills are also harmful to the environment. According to Williams, “in the areas with heavy contamination, the oil prevents penetration of air and moisture needed by microorganisms; recovery takes time (4).
Many people have been advocating for other forms of energy, which they argue are eco-friendly and sustainable, to replace fossil-fueled energy. Sustainable sources of energy are defined as the sources which are eco-friendly and renewable. To begin with, wind can be harnessed to provide eco-friendly energy that can be used for various purposes. It just requires wind and a strategic position for production to occur. On the same note, sustainable energy also includes solar energy, which is harnessed and used for various domestic and some industrial purposes.
Similarly, there are plans to increase the production of biofuels. Bio-fuels are considered to be among the best eco-friendly sources of energy currently produced in the world. Though trials are being made to use biofuel in the transport sector, success has been registered in using bio-fuel for cooking and lighting. On the same note, oceans can also be useful in the production of eco-friendly energy through tidal energy.
Sustainable energy means low emission to the environment and minimal threat of depletion because most sources are renewable. Bio-fuels are used to produce biogas, which is used for cooking and lighting. Besides being eco-friendly, bio-gas is also cheap and makes use of waste products which would have been thrown away. Similarly, most renewable energy sources are natural and do not get depleted. Therefore the dilemma of what will be done after depletion will not arise (Evans and Judy 168). Lastly, cars that use bio-fuels have been manufactured, though not on a large scale. Generally, the performance of these cars is low, but they are a good example of the possibility of using biofuels in the transport sector.
It should be noted that though there has been an advancement in using other sources of energy, fossil-fueled energy remains an important source of energy. First and foremost, renewable sources that are currently being used cannot produce energy sufficient for large scale activities. As a result, fossil fuel remains critical due to its mass production. Additionally, for sustainable sources of energy to be fully embraced in the world, technological advancement is a prerequisite. Most current technology is applicable only if fossil fuel is used. Therefore, technology should be changed, and this takes time.
On the same note, most machines can only use one type of fuel or the other. These machines will not be able to function without fossil-fueled energy. Consequently, elimination of fossil-fueled energy will require some changes in existing machines, which is extremely expensive. On the other hand, the contribution of fossil fuel to the economy is very critical that a complete overhaul of the source of energy is just feasible.
It should also be noted that some of the limitations of fossil fuels that are given are not necessarily true. Fossil fuel will not be exhausted at least for the next century. At the same time, though the prices of fossil fuels will not be stable due to unavoidable factors, they will not increase substantially as some people will want us to believe.
Sustainable energy is quite beneficial to the environment and the whole world at large. It will reduce gas emissions that result from the use of fossil-fueled energy. On the same note, sources of sustainable energy are renewable, which makes them convenient and cheap in the long run. Unfortunately, if the use of fossil-fueled energy has to be terminated completely, a lot of infrastructural technicalities must be taken into consideration. Also, the mass production of energy using sustainable sources is yet to be implemented, and this will take time. Consequently, fossil-fueled energy will continue to drive economies, and elimination of its use is not practical.
Works Cited
Evans, Gareth G., and Judy furlong. Environmental Biotechnology: Theory and Application. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, 2011. Print.
Williams, Lewis. An End to Global Warming. Houston: Gulf Professional Publishing, 2002. Print.