Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Chu's and Obama's opinions

our county is starting to realize how much of an effect we are having on the world. Because of our careless lifestyles, we are using too much energy and leaving a huge carbon foot print. now that we realizing our effect, we can start fixing the damage we have caused.


"The President has committed to put America on a path to a clean energy economy that improves our energy security, reduces our use of fossil fuels, and drives a new era of American innovation." (foreign policy website)
->cars are rapidly increasing the amount of oil they need to get at a certain distance. "It calls for fleet average fuel economy to improve to 27.8 mpg in 2011, 29.2 mpg in 2012, and 30.5 mpg in 2013."
-> First off, people know that their are other alternatives besides using cars that require to much gas. Hydrogen cars, which have no effect on the environment, would be a great way to lesson the pollutioin that we are emitting into the air. The only problem with this new vehicle is the amount it costs. An average person does not have the funds to buy such an overpriced vehicle. Hybrid cars on the other hand are more affordable and still help the environment while people still live the lifestyle they wish to.


"We're in the great ship Titanic, the Earth is, and it's going to take a half century to really turn the ship. But that doesn't mean we can't start doing it today, and we must"-steven chu

->Just because the problem isn't as relevent at this moment, it shouldn't stop us from fixing it little by little and doing our part. If we keep using the energy that we have today, withoout any care, we are creating a bigger problem for the people in the future.

KYOTO PROTOCOL - it is an international agreement to try to lower the emission of green house gases into the air in an effort to save our planet.


These are the gasese that the Kyoto Protocol is targeting to lower:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs, and
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

Kyoto Protocol is a good things cause everyone in the world is doing their part to help rather then a few countries.

There is much controversy on the subject about drilling into alaska. Some people think that the oil that will be able to provide for us there is needed to help out our country from international shipping and saving our country a lot of money. If we drilled into alaska for oil we would not have to deal with the supply and demand of other countries. Others think that since this resort is on a wildlife habitat that it would be wrong and selfish.

Monday, May 11, 2009

When you look at this chart one thing you may notice is that world population can link to everything. The more humans there are on this earth the more food and energy will be consumed becuase of humans wants and needs. For example, technology, although it may help create renewable resources it also can require more energy as we advance and invent new things. The economy is a big factor in how much energy people consume. As the economy starts to get better more energy is consumed, but as the economy decreases people start to conserve more and save due to financial problems. On the other hand while the economy is suffering, our government does not have enough money to pay for the renewable energy.

Climate is also another factor because it determines how you live and what type of transportation you use. If you were to live in Alaska you would need more heating and vehicles that could actually make it through snowy roads, also in colder climates people need to consume more food to keep warm. Opposed to someone who lives in a place like Hawaii who would use air conditioning to cool their house, and drive less heavy duty cars. The climate can also effect people activities on a hot sunny day more people are likely to be outside rather than inside the house watching tv.

Also, international relations have an effect on our energy source, and usage. For instance, almost all the oil we use comes from foreign countries. also, trade uses energy, like fueling ships and storing the goods. Also, wars are very energy consuming, from fueling vehicles to manufacturing for the war.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Stating the EXACT problem!


The problem that exists today in The United States is that we are using too many nonrenewable resources. Based on the evidence that we gathered, we have seen that America seems to be consuming more energy than can be replaced. Of course our country has the ability to use the renewable sources, which brings up the next issue. If we have these renewable resources why aren't we just using them? If you look at the United States, it is estimated that only 7 percent of all needed energy comes from renewable sources. But there are so many other factors that we have to consider, like how much more renewable resources cost. In order to produce enough energy from water, sun, and wind you are going to need a heck of a lot of money to give it to all of the people that are consuming energy. What are country neeeds to do is think of a solution to fix this energy crisis we are having!



Tuesday, April 21, 2009

People say that the end of the fossil fuel era is the beggning of the sustainable energy era. As fossil fuels are running low, we are going to have to come together and use the renewable resources of our planet, such as: biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, solar, and other.




  • The bargraph shows oil, coal and natural gas together supplying 85 percent of the world's energy supply in 2008.
  • The United States consumes 25 percent of the world's oil and 70 percent of that is imported.
  • 61 percent of the world's oil reserves are in the Middle East. The United States has 2.4 percent.
  • 66.3 percent of the world's gas reserves are in the Middle East and the Russian Federation. The United States has 3.4 percent.
  • If oil production remains constant, there is enough to last 42 years. 61 years for natural gas and 133 years for coal

source: http://planetforlife.com/


There is an energy problem, over 93% of americans rely on an energy source that is running out, quickly