Tuvok Obama Says Live Green And Prosper
Barack Obama has stated he’s a big Star Trek fan. What’s funny, he would make a believable body double for actor Tim Russ as the Vulcan, Tuvok on the Star Trek: Voyager television series. But it’s the Vulcan salute “Live Long And Prosper” that Obama can spin and use as America’s new salute toward the future – Live “Green” And Prosper!
In 2005, the Energy Information Administration estimated that 86% of primary energy production in the world came from burning fossil fuels, with the remaining non-fossil sources being hydroelectric 6.3%, nuclear 6.0%, and other (geothermal, solar, wind, wood and waste) 0.9 percent. These estimates may have changed a little since, but they still reflect thereality.
Fossil-fuels are non-renewable resources that are finite. As the world populate grows and third world countries grow richer, there will be even more stress put on what reserves are left on the earth. But fossil-fuels also cause regional and global conflict. And as we all know, the production and use of fossil fuels raise environmental concerns. It’s a “no-brainer” that the move toward renewable energy must become our number one priority.
In the United States, more than 90% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels. Combustion of fossil fuels also produces other air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals.
Fossil fuels also contain radioactive materials, mainly uranium and thorium, that are released into the atmosphere.
Burning coal also generates large amounts of bottom ash and fly ash. These materials are used in a wide variety of applications, utilizing, for example, about 40% of the US production.
Harvesting, processing, and distributing fossil fuels can also create environmental concerns. Coal mining methods, particularly mountaintop removal and strip mining, have negative environmental impacts, and offshore oil drilling poses a hazard to aquatic organisms. Oil refineries also have negative environmental impacts, including air and water pollution. Transportation of coal requires the use of diesel-powered locomotives, while crude oil is typically transported by tanker ships, each of which requires the combustion of additional fossil fuels.
The principle of supply and demand suggests that as hydrocarbon supplies diminish, prices will rise. Therefore higher prices will lead to increased alternative, renewable energy supplies as previously uneconomic sources become sufficiently economical to exploit. Artificial gasolines and other renewable energy sources currently require more expensive production and processing technologies than conventional petroleum reserves, but may become economically viable in the near future. Renewable sources of energy include nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind, and geothermal.
As part of his economic stimulus plan, Barack Obama has outlined a $150 billion investment over 10 years in developing renewable and alternative energy technologies. The plan also calls for investing in alternative fuels and prodding the automakers to step up the development of hybrid cars and electric vehicle technologies.
Obama’s plan can will have many benefits, including: job growth, reversing the recession, weaning the country off foreign oil, decreasing the effects of fossil fuel use and ultimately, to save the planet.
But I think the President should encourage each and
every American to do their part too. Simple things like shutting unnessary lights, reducing the thermostat a few degrees at night and closing doors can really save energy.
Many Americans are already going above and beyond the simple things to help save the planet. Citizens are installing geothermal heat pumps in the ground and wind generators and solar cells on their property. While helping to reduce their carbon footprint, they are saving money over the long run too!
Live Green and Prosper!