Energy Conservation

Where would the United States be fifteen, twenty maybe even thirty years from now? Would we still be an independent and free nation? Would we still be considered one of the wealthiest countries in the world? All these questions can be answered based on the world dependence on fossil fuels, nonrenewable resources. Since the world supply of nonrenewable energy resources are depleting faster than they can be created, the world would have to find other means of energy to supply the world. The Depletion of these resources could result in the United States depending on foreign countries who are currently in possession of more nonrenewable resources for energy, or the United States would have to invest in other types of renewable resources. Depending on foreign countries takes away from our own independence, needing something so valuable to the human existence, those countries would have our future in the palm of their hands. Conserving energy and investing in new forms of renewable energy resources now could keep us from relying so much on other countries. Once we find new ways to supply the world with energy, we can slowly begin to limit our dependence on fossil fuel. Key word is to limit our dependence not to stop depending on our main source of energy and electricity. Limiting our dependence would simply help us open our eyes to new ideas, and forms of energy.

Detailed description of the problem

Eighty five percent of the world energy sources come from nonrenewable energy resources (Shepard, 2005). This percentage is expected to remain the same until the year 2030, unless something drastically changes in the near future, breakthroughs in energy technology or the development of an inexpensive new energy source. Nonrenewable fuels are also known as fossil fuel because they are the fossilized remains of plants and animals which died up to 300 million years ago and became buried beneath the earth surface and ocean floors (Shepard, 2005). Time, pressure and heat then transformed this material into hydrocarbon which we now burn to extract energy. It has been said that we would never really run out of fossil fuel but at some point the point of recovering the fuel would eventually exceed the profits to be made from selling the fuel; thus losing fossil fuels as an energy source. Forty percent of the oil fossil fuel is consumed in the United States, twenty three percent of the natural gas fossil fuel is consumed in the U.S., and twenty - two percent of coal is consumed in the U.S. With the depletion of all these sources the United States, would have to make a futuristic change which would include, conserving energy and finding new renewable sources.

Nonliving and living factors that contribute to or are affected by the problem

There are many species that contribute to the ongoing problem of nonrenewable energy resources. Humans are probably the main contributors to the problem, for it is use that has to have the latest electronics, the newer models cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs. Our contribution goes beyond cars, vans and trucks; we are reluctant to admit the problems which lead to more problems. Denying the facts that the most common energy resources known to man are depleting is only the part of the battle. Not everyone is open to the idea of a new resource other than the original fossil fuel, the ideal aspect of solar power, hydro power, or wind power becoming our main source of energy is overwhelming. Though non-living organism do not contribute much to the nonrenewable energy resource problem they are heavily affected by the issue. Certain non-living factors contribute to this problems because of the over usage of energy or electricity that some nonliving factors need. For example large television set requires more energy and electricity than the average 19" inch set. The lack of nonrenewable energy affects the living because we need heat, electricity, air condition and other electrical appliances. Living factors are also affected by the problem because our survival is based on being able to adapt to different circumstances; circumstances which could be solved by technology and the development of newer and better products.

Positive and negative human impacts

There are many positive and negative effects that impact the human live, these positive and negative human impacts vary from the different types of fossil fuels used. A negative impact produced by fossil fuel such as power plants are different type of health risks. These risks can range from premature deaths, heart attacks, and other impacts caused by power plant pollution. In April, 2005, the EPA identified 17 counties in Indiana that failed to meet the 1997 air quality standards for health protection regarding fine particles (Citizens Action Coalition, 2001). These countries are home to more than 2.5 million Hoosiers, which is more than 40 percent of the state's total population. The primary source of fine particle emissions comes from fossil fuel combustion. Air pollution is something that is impacted negatively by fossil fuel, the compounds from fossil fuel causes depletion in the ozone levels thus creating a spike in skin cancer rates.

Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere, which is produced by the combustion of fossil fuel. Global warming has negative impacts that affect everyone and every sitting. For example global warming caused by the use of fossil fuels leads to rising of sea levels. The melting of ice at the poles and in glaciers can cause oceans to rise, which impacts both ecosystem and human settlements in low-lying areas. Since the sun reflects sunlight and absorbs water it melts ice speeding up global warming. There are always two sides of a story, if there are negatives there are positives. Some of the positive impact nonrenewable resources have on human are the following. The burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, peat, petroleum, and natural gas has allowed humans to develop many different technologies to improve life. Nonrenewable resources have impacted human life by supplying us with some of the most important essentials used today. Fossil fuels powers our cars, heat our homes, and run the factories that manufacture everything we use in our lives. Though fossil fuels have been our main source for power and energy the development of renewable resources has began to surface and change the way to view energy sources.

Evaluation of current sustainability strategies and solutions

There are many current sustainability strategies and solutions involving nonrenewable resources. These strategies and solution is introducing a new form of energy and electricity. In today's society there are several things that run on renewable