Introduction
Since 1990’s, the European Union as a whole and each of the participating countries have continued to implement various initiatives in the area of climate change. In the early 2000, the European Union launched the European Climate Change Programmes (ECCP) where collaboration has been initiated with the industries, organizations for the protection of the environment and other concerned agencies. The purpose of co-operation - identify cost-effective measures is essentially to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
The debate on climate change is actually divided into two major sides. One side argues that human activities contribute to the accumulation of "greenhouse gases" in the atmosphere leading to a gradual increase in air temperature on a global scale. In particular, its proponents argue that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is produced by burning fossil fuels, electricity generation, cutting and burning of forests among other human activities (Romm 26). The proponents of this side of debate goes on and argues that there is an alarming accumulation of greenhouse gases including methane, nitrous oxide; among other gases in the atmosphere hence, the world faces a real risk of massive and potentially devastating consequences. The proponents of the other side claim that climate change is occurring due to the natural forces. According to them, climate change is caused by two natural causes that include changes to the earth’s orbit and solar changes (Jacobson 67).
In this regard, many developed countries have adopted environmental programs, the purpose of which is to promote and prevent global warming, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and adapt to the effects of climate change. These programmes have helped in the implementation of various projects to improve energy efficiency in the public and private sector, develop and promote renewable energy among other crucial objectives. They propose generation of sustainable energy since this energy does not emit CO2 into the atmosphere (Holte et al. 86). For this reason, these proponents argue that this type of energy is important in solving the problem of global warming, as it does not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is the main advantage of green energy.
One of the types of sustainable energy is green energy. Green energy is the energy produced from renewable sources. Renewable energy resources are obtained from natural sources - sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat (Schmer et al. 48). Therefore, the examples of green energy include wind power, solar energy, wave energy, and geothermal energy. These sources are considered renewable because they are replenished naturally.
In 2006, about 18% of global energy consumption was satisfied by renewable sources of energy, and 13% from traditional biomass, such as wood burning. Hydropower is the other largest source of renewable energy, providing 3% of global energy consumption and 15% of global electricity generation. The annual production in the photovoltaic industry reached 6,900 MW in 2008. Solar power stations are popular in Germany and Spain. Solar power stations operate in the USA and Spain, and the largest of them is a station in the Mojave Desert with a capacity of 354 MW (Jacobson 99).
The use of wind power is growing at a rate of about 30 percent on a yearly basis all over the world with an installed capacity of 121,000 megawatts (MW) in 2008. This source of power is widely used in Europe and United States. Wind energy is a renewable form of energy since it is a consequence of the sun (Jupe 38). Hydropower is another type of green energy. This power is generated by the potential energy of the water flow. Hydroelectric power plants are usually built on the rivers, dams and reservoirs. This form of green energy is also important because it does not lead to global warming.
As mentioned above, solar energy is the other type of green energy. According to International Energy Agency, “Solar energy is the direction of alternative energy, based on the direct use of solar radiation to produce energy in any form.” Solar power uses a renewable source of energy and is environmentally friendly meaning that it does not generate hazardous waste. By 2050, solar energy will cater for about 20-25% of human needs hence this will help in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Wave energy as a type of green energy is the energy carried by the waves on the ocean surface. It can be used in power generation, water desalination and pumping water into the tanks. This energy does not also emit CO2 into the environment. Geothermal energy is also a type of green energy that is sustainable and green meaning that it does not emit C02 into the atmosphere (Jupe 40).
Nonetheless, green energy has some of its limitations. One of the disadvantages of green power is the fact that a number of its sources cannot actually be installed in some areas of the earth meaning that its sources can only be set up in limited locations. For example, the wave energy that is a type of green energy can only be used if the ocean waves reach 16 feet and above. The geothermal energy can be built only in the places that have geological characteristics, which are favorable to the generation of the geothermal power. There has been discussion that the Enhanced Geothermal Energy (EGS) can result to a huge increase in number of the locations that can create the geothermal energy, but EGS in real sense is facing environmental issues (Lackner et al. 57)
The other disadvantage with green energy is that this energy does not generate electricity quantities, which are as large as the quantities produced by the traditional fossil fuel generators. Thus, we need to decrease the energy amount that we use or build additional energy facilities. This also indicates that having a balance of a variety of power sources is the best alternative solution to the energy problems.
The other limitation of green energy is that this source of energy is not reliable at all the times. Green energy relies on weather for its power source. For instance, the hydro generators require rain to fill the lakes, dams, and other water catchment areas to supply the flowing water. The wind turbines require wind to turn blades. The solar collectors require sunshine and clear skies to collect the needed heat and create electricity (Jupe 38). When the green energy sources are not available, the capacity to create energy from them is also unavailable. Therefore, they can be inconsistent and unpredictable.
The other demerit of green energy is that it is quite expensive. The current cost of their technology is high as compared to the traditional fossil fuel generation. For example, the technology required in the construction of hydroelectric power plants is expensive since large capital cost is incurred in their installation.
Visual Ad #1. Solar Energy Station
The above photograph shows a solar energy station where solar panels are put in positions where they directly face the sun. They convert the heat energy from the sun into electricity energy for both domestic and industrial use. The area shown in the image is a dry area that has been put into use through generation of solar energy. Many solar panels in the image suggest that the power generated is both for industrial and domestic use. Thus, this shows the importance of solar energy as a type of green energy.
Visual ad #2. Wind Energy Farm
This image shows an open area that is used for wind power generation. The area shown in the image is a raised and open area meaning that the wind is free to flow. This is important since the generation of wind power will be effective. The presence of rocks in the area suggests that the area is not much productive hence; it has been made productive through the generation of wind energy.
Works Cited
Holte, Laura L.; Doty, Glenn N. ; McCree, David L. ; Doty, Judy M. ; Doty, F. David. "Sustainable Transportation Fuels From Off-peak Wind Energy, CO2 and Water". 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, May 17–22, 2010. Phoenix, Arizona: American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
Jacobson, Mark Z. "Review of solutions to global warming, air pollution, and energy security". Energy and Environmental Science (Royal Society of Chemistry), 2009, 2 (2): 148
Jupe, A. Michiorri, P.C. Taylor. "Increasing the energy yield of generation from new and sustainable energy sources". Sustainable energy 2007, 14 (2): 37–62.
Lackner, Klaus S.; et al. "The urgency of the development of CO2 capture from ambient air". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 109, 2012, (33): 13156–62.
M.R. Schmer, K.P. Vogel, R.B. Mitchell, R.K. Perrin. "Net energy of cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2008, 105 (2): 464–469.
Romm, Joseph; Levine, Mark; Brown, Marilyn; Peterson, Eric. “A road map for U.S. carbon reductions”. Science, Vol. 279, No. 5351. (Jan. 30, 1998). Washington.
"Solar Energy Perspectives: Executive Summary" (PDF). International Energy Agency. 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-12-03.
