There is this fear that Fossil fuel availability is steadily diminishing and that it may cease to exist over time. There is also the negative environmental effects from the usage of these of these commodities. We have seen numerous instances of the negative effects to environment and wildlife which had resulted from events of oil spillages. There is also the negative effects to the environment when coal is burnt to produce energy. Given these factors, it's difficult to see why there has not been a greater amount of activity in the development of renewable energy which is many times more environmentally friendly than fossil fuel.
My take on alternative energy that is supposed to be clean is true as far as clean is concerned but not with the cost. We have made a good research on solar panels and it is disappointing to learn that you cannot live by solar energy alone because it is more expensive than buying electricity from your present provider. With wind turbines, it is also the same issue although they are improving a bit now. But I don't worry that fossil fuel will run out soon. It will take decades or maybe centuries before we run out of oil.
Like corzhens says, it all boils down to the initial capital or at least that's what we're fed by our governments, sadly I mean, maybe western government are better placed to go down this route, but I know for a fact that my government, in Botswana (Southern Africa) always harps on about the enormous amount of money required. For instance, Botswana receives sunshine almost year round, yet the government doesn't invest in a huge scale solar energy generation projects, in spite of us experiencing severe power shortages. We opt instead to buy power from neighbouring South Africa, which also struggles for adequate power supply. We're no strangers to power outages, as our government 'tries' to manage the whole situation. It's just so frustrating and annoying!
There is a lot of money, a huge amount, which is invested in fossil fuels. Where such huge amounts of money are involved, a lot of things happen which doesn't conform to common sense. True, renewable energy is a more sustainable choice but does it make money? That's the main point. If it doesn't make money, then the big money people are not going to get involved. In fact, they are going to be against it because it will stop them from making money from fossil fuels.
I agree with most of the commenters before me. A few takes advantage on developing renewable energy because there's few to no money in this venture. Just think about why people can't use water as a source of energy, most would think that it won't produce power but actually you can by separating oxygen from hydrogen, but why isn't anyone pushing this? It's simple, it's because water is free and you can find it virtually anywhere. I guess this answers the question. Anyway, since we are talking about renewable energy. Is there anyone here familiar with D2O, Heavy Water, or Deuterium?
I am also having this doubt in my mind for quite long now. We have been witnessing all round developments in almost all technology areas but there is lack of deliberate efforts to strengthen our research and development in areas of renewable energy. Yes, huge initial capital which is required to set up these things may be one of the reasons behind its low popularity. But with the help of technology we can find better ways to reduce cost and increase efficiency. I think there may be some selfish motives from big corporates to slow down the switch over. These MNCs only operate for profit and they never care for other things like environment protection or something like that. They actually rule the Government and will do anything to boost their profit. But I think time has changed now and almost all nations started thinking about it seriously. With the growing population and polluting earth there is no other way but to think of renewable sources. You can see some healthy signs in this regard these days. But I wonder to what extent this would be possible.
One of the reasons is that multinationals and governments have committed a huge capital outlay which they are not going to let go easily. The more fossil fuels become scarce, the harder they will intensify their efforts since scarcity will lead to price increases. Another factor is that most renewable energy ventures require quite a handsome capital outlay at the start.
It is not true at all that there has been little effort to make use of renewable energy. In my country for instance, 1/3 of our national fuel requirements are derived from renewable sources and the goals is to make it 100%, if that is possible at all, after a decade. Ever heard of hydroelectric power plants? These are power plants that derive energy from river water. It is one the most attractive investment options today in the renewable energy sector. Companies who are profiting from use of fossil fuels will naturally protect their investment but there are many more companies out there that are willing to invest so long as they see a probable profit. A company in Norway, for example, has attempted to generate electricity from sea water. The process worked but the electricity it generated was not enough to recoup the investment and the operating and maintenance costs. The company stopped its operations in 2013. Nuclear power is another option, but at present, not too many countries are willing to take the risk.
I have read in one article in New York Times recently that Saudi oil is getting depleted. If that is accurate then it is time to panic. Maybe it's about time that we concentrate on alternative energies like solar and wind power. Aside from being clean energy, solar and wind are not exhaustible unlike the fossil fuels under the ground which can be exhausted. In other words, the clean energy are sustainable since they are of unlimited supply. All we have to do now is to invent the technology for the efficient collection of power from those sources.
That is actually old news as to the reason why places like Dubai have changed gears and started investing in tourism as the oil reserves have been dwindling for a long time. Always question the media. What everyone here needs to do is take it upon themselves and switch over on their own. Stop waiting for the government to do it for you because that will never happen. If it does it won't be soon, or an easy switch over. Big corporations are lobbyist that contribute a lot of funds to presidential candidates to keep old technology like fossil fuels around for as long as they can, as these guys are making billions of dollars every year on our consumption. Don't wait for the government to step up and do something. By helping you save money, they actually lose money. So cut them out of the deal and do things on your own. Start investing on solar panels and battery back ups. You don't have to go completely off the grid as that is expensive. Buy small and build up as you save every month.
I agree with what you said about relying on the government. This is not to sound political but I feel that the government officials only move for their own benefit and not really for the benefit of the country. There was this guy named Daniel Dingle from the Visayas region, Philippines, who claimed that he had invented a car that runs on water. Isn't that great? But the government did nothing to support the guy. That was in 1985 and until now that water car has yet to be explored. The inventor was frustrated so he decided to just let his invention rot.
Every country has a inventor that created a water vehicle. That gets squashed quickly as every Government takes it's orders from a unknown entity that is fueled by the oil industry. If that water engine every made it out into the real world, that would have serious affect on the oil industry and the world economy would go into peril. But yes. There are technology out there that we are able to obtain and use to sustain out living without waiting around for local Government to get involved.
You are absolutely correct. Exploring this natural energy has a lot of resistance. In our place, there are group of companies would like to explore our natural energy like this so-called geothermal energy. As they attempt to have a consultative meeting with the agency of our government concerned, the cause-oriented groups are opposing. You can see a lot of protesters on the street, carrying placards and streamers of their strong opposition for exploring the natural resources of our country, particularly the volcano for geothermal energy source. So what's the use of exploiting that energy when those environmentalists are strongly opposing that.
I have wondered this myself quite a bit recently. It even baffles me more when you hear the politicians and energy leaders spell it out and how it makes sense for everyone, and yet we still have trouble. I guess these things take time though, but at least we are headed in the right direction, at least I think.
