Climate Change and Ignoring Climate Change

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If you have been living on Earth for the past few years, you have doubtless been exposed to the three different sides of the climate change debate. On the first side, there are people who say that our climate has been changing rather rapidly since human beings began burning fossil fuels in large volume (in other words, since the start of the Industrial Revolution roughly 250 years ago). These people believe that within the lifetimes of an average young adult’s grandchildren, the climate of our planet may be altered to the point where sea levels may have effectively washed away (or simply submerged) many coastal cities around the world. This group has called on the removal of greenhouse gas emissions from factories, automobiles and any other sources that can be identified.

The second group of people believes that, while there may be climate change, this change is simply a natural cycle that our world has always undergone. And since our planet has experienced these cycles for an untold number of eons, we really have nothing to worry about one way or the next. The temperature will go up a little, but then it will go back down again whenever it feels like doing so. In the end, we aren’t going to end up like the dinosaurs just because some giant ice cubes are melting up north. The people who believe global climate change is our fault often accuse these people of being in denial.

While most folks believe that those are the only two sides, there is a third, very powerful group involved in this argument – the people who could not care less. The fact that our biosphere may be experiencing a level of change that could end all of our lives and destroy our species simply does not matter to these people. To them, the money we make today is the justification for doing whatever. And if something happens because of it, we will probably just end up fixing the problem before too many people get hurt. Since these are the people who vote, politicians play to them.

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The Most Common Renewable Energies: Environment

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Energy is impermanent – this has become the common belief, with all critics citing imminent danger for resources and the environment. All of the modern methods will fail, resulting in too many complications for the years to come. Generations will be without power. Cities will be forced to siphon every flickering light. Consumption won’t be countered and no compromise will be enough. Instead there will only be worries for the future and no answers to offer.

Such a bleak assumption is not entirely correct, however. There are renewable energies that are slowly carving a niche for themselves within daily life. These alternatives work to secure both vital power demands and the environment – and they succeed. Without the limitations of typical sources (like petroleum or coal), they can be used as often as they’re needed. And there are three that are championing the cause:

1. Solar power. The sun is the most prominent renewable source found on Earth. Because of this companies have been creating ways to take advantage of its abundance; and they have succeeded with passive and active solar panels. Energy is formed through rays causing water to boil and generate electricity. This is the most common of all new methods and is posed to continue growing.

2. Wind power. None can argue with the advantages of wind turbines. Despite initial concerns over their appearance, these machines have increased dramatically in usage and are found across the globe. Utilizing breezes, they allow energy to be created through the whirl of propellers. This causes virtually no environmental impact and is proven to reduce carbon emissions.

3. Hydroelectric power. While controversy follows this method (due to its high costs and land requirements), its popularity has not decreased since its conception within the Industrial Revolution. Using turbines to churn water and create currents, hydroelectric can be sustained for all years to come. It is without limit.

Energy is not to be wasted. It is to be preserved. But, with the aid of these renewable forces, its consumption will not be forced to meager fractions and small uses.

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Environment and Industry: First Generation

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It was a greet of steel and necessity. Men carved out a new empire within the United States, wishing to surpass the limits of civilizations already long since established. The world was watching this fledgling country, seeing if rebels could become conquerers; and so the Industrial Revolution began, with only one intention: progress. It was steam and piston twists, the exploration of power. No concern was offered for the future beyond its dominance – and the environment was forgotten, with forests ravaged and earth tilled until it became impotent. America grew but lost something vital to the wave of new technology.

Such technology is still seen today, however. The engine turns and water wheels have been modified for modern societies, but offer the same difficulties as the past. They are deemed first generation technologies and many have called for their dismantling.

First generation technology, defined simply, is what remains of the Industrial age. They are most often hydroelectric methods, using water to generate the needed power; and, while such notions have been offered as green in philosophy, there are still too many unfortunate effects from them. The initial building forces a wide loss of acres, constant machine emissions and possible flooding. The hydroelectric choice can also only be accomplished in specific settings, leaving the majority of the country unable to use it (unless these settings are recreated, which can prove costly). Land must instead be chosen carefully.

And these effects have forced companies to reconsider the value and ultimate usage of first generation technologies. There is logic to find in them but it must still be shaped new to ensure the environment is not harmed. And, though progress has been made, these methods are still among the most uncertain. Many believe they cannot be sustained for the years to come. They are assumed to be too problematic.

Losing the confines of the Industrial Revolution, however, could still prove possible. It is simply a matter of time and patience.

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