A Green World Awaits

Breyhauna Johnson
3/12/14
EIP Research Presentation
Introduction
Renewable energy can be defined as any naturally occurring, theoretically
inexhaustible source of energy, such as biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave and
hydroelectric power that is not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel ("Renewable
Energy."). Nonrenewable energy is that derived from fossil or nuclear fuel,
which is unobtainable once these sources are depleted.
Currently, only about ten percent of the worlds energy consumption comes
from renewable energy sources ("How Much of World). With the economy
failing and the environment gradually declining, we will soon have to start
relying more heavily on renewable sources of energy. Nonrenewable sources
such as coal and oil have CO
2
emissions which are harmful to the environment
and which renewable technologies do not produce.
Although nonrenewable sources are currently more affordable, they are
depleting and destroying the environment. There is ongoing research on
making the renewable energies we currently are trying to implement more
efficient and cost-effective.
Critics argue that renewable energy is too expensive and unreliable. They
make very good arguments about the cost and efficiency of renewable
technologies, but ultimately the benefits for renewable energy outweigh those
of nonrenewable energy sources.


Renewable Energy: Not Cheap, Not
"Green
Robert L. Bradley argues that renewable energy has caused disasters in major
economic costs and unintended environmental consequences. In his article, he
states that renewable capacity is, on average, twice as expensive as new capacity
from the most economical fossil-fuel alternative and triple the cost of surplus
electricity. According to Bradley, solar power (in bulk generation) is the most
uneconomic of the other renewable sources like wind, biomass, hydroelectric
power, etc. In his argument, he focuses on the disadvantages of wind power
although he does give brief comments on the other renewable sources.
Bradley states that wind power possesses many major dilemmas. His reasons
include the economic and environmental/ecological perspectives.
In his article, Bradley explains that pro-renewable lobbyists have turned to
taxpayer and ratepayer subsidies for energy conservation since the economics for
renewable energy are uncertain. He claims this is wasting the taxpayers money.

Renewable Energy: Not Cheap, Not
"Green
This article comes from Cato Institute, a public policy research organization
(think tank). Scholars and analysts conduct and publish research on different
policy issues. The author of this article is one of the experts working at this
think tank, which makes this article reliable and credible.
This source is somewhat biased, but Bradley usually backs up his opinions with
research and proven facts.
Bradley makes an excellent argument about wind power. His research is very
thorough. He talks about the economics and environmental disadvantages. His
points about wind farms being noisy, land intensive, unsightly, and hazardous to
birds are all opinionated, but he argues his points with facts from his research
from environmental agencies, bird studies, etc.
This article does a great job emphasizing the negative impacts of some
renewable energy sources. It also gives a good background to create an
opposing argument from.
Renewable Energy: Not Cheap, Not
"Green
Since my inquiry project is about the current usage of renewable energy and what
it will bring in the future, this is a relatable source to use in my research. This
source informs its audience about some of the negative consequences from the
implementation of renewable energy now and in the future. The author describes
in great detail the economic and environmental perspectives of different
renewable energy sources, which is what my research consists of.
Bradley is writing for anyone that is potentially interested in renewable energy.
This article would be especially convincing to any audience who is on the fence of
the implementation of renewable energy technologies. This article would be
particularly favorable for any politicians or lobbyists who prefer that we keep
nonrenewable energies as our main form of energy consumption.
These audiences tie into my topic because they are the main contributors and
supporters for my topic.

What Happens Next
First, I will use the information that I have learned in this article to further
produce my research for my project. I will use Bradleys opinions and
research to counter argue for renewable energy. This information will be very
helpful to build off of when rebutting his arguments.
Next, I will pursue a source that has different opinions about renewable
energy. My next source will provide arguments for implementing renewable
energy technologies and research to back up the opinions and information
presented.
Climate Risk: Yet Another Reason to Choose
Renewable Energy

In this article, Amanda Staudt states that the climate has been significantly
changing and points out reasons why. One way Staudt says the climate change
has been so significant is: for the United States, the most intense precipitation
events have seen an increase in total rainfall of about 20 percent over the last
100 years. She argues that these climate trends will continue unless we stop
relying heavily on fossil fuels to produce energy and stray towards renewable
sources.
Staudt outlines the potential threats to our current energy systems and explains
how each one will impact us in the future:
Power outages are becoming more common
Oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf region is at risk as hurricanes intensify.
Coal transport across the Midwest and Northeast will face more flooding disruptions.
Electricity generation in the Southwest will be limited by water shortages and
extreme heat.


Climate Risk: Yet Another Reason to
Choose Renewable Energy
Staudt continues her argument with giving advantages for different renewable
energy technologies. She presses that we need to be implementing these
technologies and wean off of fossil fuels.
Staudt works for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), which is an
organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and habitat. She is a Senior
Scientist in the Climate and Energy Program where she provides scientific
expertise for NWFs research, policy, and outreach activities on climate
change. I believe this makes her an expert in the matter, which makes this
source reliable and credible.
This author makes very convincing points about the climate change and how
renewable energy could potentially change the significant impacts the major
climate changes could have on our environment in the future.

Climate Risk: Yet Another Reason to
Choose Renewable Energy
Staudt mainly focuses on the environmental perspective of renewable energy,
which is a perspective I am writing about my topic. This article is very
helpful in providing me with facts about the environment and climate changes
that could potentially impact our environment if we dont pursue renewable
energy. Her article gives me some back up support in my research.
The audience is most likely anyone who is interested in our climate or any
changes that could impact the environment. It is also for anyone who
supports renewable energy and agrees that it is a necessary implementation.
This audience is what I am looking for when writing my paper.
Next, I will use Staudts information to further develop my research paper.
Works Cited
Bradley, Robert L., Jr. "Renewable Energy: Not Cheap, Not "Green"" Policy
Analysis. Cato Institute, 27 Aug. 1997. Web. 5 Mar. 2014.
"How Much of World Energy Consumption and Electricity Generation Is from
Renewable Energy?" How Much of World Energy Consumption and Electricity
Generation Is from Renewable Energy? U.S. Energy Information
Administration, 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.
"Renewable Energy." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.
Staudt, Amanda. "Climate Risk: Yet Another Reason to Choose Renewable
Energy." Renewable Energy World. National Wildlife Federation, 20 Apr.
2011. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.