The extreme dependence of our present day civilization on Fossil Fuels is a matter of much debate. Coal, natural gas and oil accounted for 87 percent of the world's primary energy consumption, predominantly led by the US as the largest consumer of these fuels. (Cusick, 2013) The US leads the race in the use of these fuels with other emerging nations too vying for the spot. In the US, the recent discovery of shale gas has ensured that the US will continue to dominate the global scene in the usage of conventional fossil fuels. Further, the US has also seen a significant increase in the usage of natural gas for energy generation, while reducing dependence on coal. (Cusick, 2013) This primarily indicates that the US has merely shifted its focus within its energy generation sector from one fossil fuel to another.
The process of implementing the use of alternative fuels in order to generate energy has many significant advantages. While these advantages spans across both environmental and social aspects, this essay will restrict the discussion to the environmental aspects. This essay will put forth two primary ways in which the US can reduce its dependence on these expensive and polluting fuels, namely the implementation of alternative energy methods or fuels, and local community initiatives in avoiding fossil fuels.
Implementation of Alternative Energy Methods
The most important method in which the US can overcome its dependence on expensive fossil fuels would be to research newer and better methods of generating energy using alternative methods. One must note, however, that the process of carrying out relevant research and implementing the same is not only time consuming but also prohibitively expensive. But, once implemented an alternative energy generating system pays for itself since most such systems have lower running costs. For purposes of this argument, one could consider the implementation of such alternatives at various levels, namely the energy generation sector, the transportation sector and fuels in heavy industry. These three sectors generate the maximum amount of pollutants through the heaviest use of fossil fuels.
Currently, most power plants are run on one or the other form of fossil fuel that heavily contributes to pollution, global climate change, the unwanted rise in carbon dioxide levels and other problems. (Suzuki, 2014) On the other hand, if the US government were to simply begin replacing these plants with cleaner and more efficient methods of energy generation, such as tidal wave, wind or solar, it would result in a massive difference in both the quality of life and an improvement in the environment. These alternative energy plants would run through assured sources of power and would not be dependent on external human factors such as geopolitical problems or delivery issues that plague fossil fuels. As Suzuki (2014) argues, that the implementation of clean energy initiatives not only results in lower running costs, but also helps generate valuable local employment. The fact that these plants have very low running costs in the long run combined with assured energy sources and with virtually no risk at a geopolitical level makes them an ideal investment.
The second level where one could consider the implementation of alternative fuels is transportation. Most experts agree that globally, oil would be amongst the only fossil fuel that would see its dominance unchallenged in the near future. According to the World Watch Institute, the United States increased oil production by 13.9 percent last year, its highest recorded increase ever, indicating its dependence on this fuel. (Cusick, 2013) However, the biggest supply of oil also comes from regions that are politically unstable or hostile to American interests such as Iran, possibly Russia in the present scenario and other Middle Eastern countries. Further, with the emergence of China and India as energy behemoths, these oil supplying nations do not have an incentive to bargain with the US or Europe. In such a scenario, it is in the US interest to consider alternative methods to fuel cars and other vehicles. Currently, the California Energy Commission recognizes Biodiesel, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), Electric, Ethanol (E85), Hydrogen and Fuel Cells as alternative fuels that one could use in vehicles. However, one should note that barring Biodiesel, Electric Power, Ethanol and Fuel Cells, all the other fuels are either primary fossil fuels or derivatives of fossil fuels. There also potential fuels that are currently being researched by most institutions and universities as fuels of the future. One such fuel that is being widely considered as an alternative for aviation fuel is jatropha from which biodiesel for use in airplanes is obtained. (Spielberg, 2009) One or more of these fuels could potentially replace fossil fuels and its derivatives in the near future. The US government must support independent as well as governmental research into this subject in order to produce, distribute and implement such alternative fuels on a larger scale. Only with such widespread initiatives could one expect sweeping changes in the field of transportation fuels.
Lastly, the heavy industry, including manufacturing industry is one of the largest users of fossil fuels in the form of diesel. Most manufacturing plants use diesel as a primary form of fuel and further also use diesel as a preferred fuel for transporting both raw materials and finished products. However, presently ethanol and biodiesel (jatropha-based) are primarily used in powering such plants with limited success. Unless and until, the government exercises the will to implement such alternative fuels and related technology, fossil fuels will continue reigning the scenario in manufacturing.
Local Community Initiatives
One should understand that mere research into alternative fuels and government encouragement such initiatives are not enough. Social workers who engage in community building can play a pivotal role in bringing about awareness amongst individual consumers on the benefits and features of alternative fuels as well as the ill effects of fossil fuels. (Polack et.al, 2010, p. 146) One of the most important initiatives in this direction is the formation of various co-ops such as Co-op Power that focus on developing solar, wind and biofuel production facilities at the community level. (Polack et.al, 2010, p. 147) These initiatives not only result in better employment opportunities within communities, but also empower individual energy users within communities by increasing their bargaining power with otherwise monopolistic utility companies.
Similarly, the car-pooling initiatives, increased emphasis on public transportation and developing better local food systems (for instance, Just Food in NY) are great ways to check the use of fossil fuels. In development of local food systems within the community, fuel used in transporting produce over distances gets saved and employment at the local level increases while keeping the food prices under check.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one must understand that we as individuals and as a nation have an important choice to make for our future generations. If the present rate of fossil fuel usage continues, the future generations would have to face multiple problems of environmental degradation and the threat of living without alternatives to fossil fuels. As part of its policy, the US must begin to focus on development, implementation and usage of alternative fuels and systems not only in power generation, but also in the core fields of manufacturing and transportation. These alternative energy sources must not be merely fossil fuel derivatives, but should come from sustainable and renewable energy sources (solar, wind, tidal and other related sources). Along with the technology and product development initiatives, the government must also encourage the development of local community initiatives in alternative and renewable energy as well as community initiatives to conserve fossil fuels. When the US government implements these measures both in word and spirit it would be able to severely reduce its dependence on fossil fuel and enter an era of independence from such sources.
Reference
Alternative Fuel Vehicles. (2014). California Energy Commission(CEC). Retrieved from http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/transportation/afvs/
Cusick, D. (2013). Fossil Fuel Use Continues to Rise. The Scientific American. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fossil-fuel-use-continues-to-rise/
Polack R, Wood S, & Smith K (2010). An Analysis of Fossil-Fuel Dependence in the United States. Critical Social Work Journal (11.3), 140 – 154.
Spielberg, G.T. (2009). Alternative Jet Fuel: The Jatropha Plant? Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/feb2009/db2009026_918710.htm
Suzuki, D. (2014). Fossil Fuel Dependence Disastrous for Economy and Environment. Ecowatch. Retrieved from http://ecowatch.com/2014/11/11/david-suzuki-fossil-fuel- dependence/
