Fossil fuels such as coal and oil, though, are finite in supply while alternative energy sources are renewable and can be sustained over time. Indeed, many experts predict that peak oil (the point at which oil supplies will begin to be permanently depleted) may be as soon as the mid-21st century (Rosentreter 2000) or between 2070-2120 in a best case scenario (Nath, Hens, Compton & Devuyst 1999)
Fossil fuels such as coal and oil, though, are finite in supply while alternative energy sources are renewable and can be sustained over time. Indeed, many experts predict that peak oil (the point at which oil supplies will begin to be permanently depleted) may be as soon as the mid-21st century (Rosentreter 2000) or between 2070-2120 in a best case scenario (Nath, Hens, Compton & Devuyst 1999)
government indicate that other factors were also at work in worsening the financial crisis in Greece, including reduced credit availability as well as the Greek government's unresponsiveness in taking steps to address the myriad problems facing the country at the time, including increased governmental spending during a period when state revenues were decreasing (Greece economy 2011). Other analysts agree that the financial crisis rocking the Greek economy is a combination of factors, including funding for the Olympics and infrastructural investments, but cite other reasons as well (Skidelsky 2010; Dam 2010; Cofnas 2010; Horwitz 2010; Mason 2010)
33). As a result, Greece has been singled out by the global mainstream media as being a virtual fiscal basket case that is incapable of managing its financial affairs (Smith 2010)
For instance, a 100,000-solar panel array being that is currently being installed in California will cost at least $100,000,000 to bring online and will require about 2 years to complete. In addition, the solar power farm will require almost 1,060 acres of land to contain the array (Soto 2011)
The question remains, though, whether any further investments in Greece's alternative energy initiatives can be garnered during a period of lingering global economic downturn, particularly in view of the problems described above (Miller 2010). Indeed, international investors and the European Union appear reluctant to pursue any further initiatives in the country unless and until the nation sorts out its internal financial problems which will likely involve further draconian steps that are already being met with stiff social resistance (Wambu 2010; Mason 2010)
Wind power and solar energy are the two leading clean energy sources in the U.S. today (Redford, 2002)
Still other groups claim that fossil fuel emissions are not responsible for global warming. Others take the stand that government intervention in the energy industry is a failure, citing examples from the 1970s (Lieberman & Loris, 2008)
Another reason is that there is significant opposition from other parties as well. Business groups have opposed clean energy measures, citing fears about higher energy costs (Dorschner, 2008)
Renewable Energy The United States is facing a seminal moment in terms of energy policy. Since 1970, the percentage of our oil that has been imported has increased from 24% to 70% (Pickens, 2008)
The most important of these is that the increase in global air temperature is melting polar ice caps. Arctic Ocean ice is now expected to completely disappear in the summer by 2020, thirty years ahead of predictions just a few years earlier (Zabarenko, 2007)
It is a gas naturally available in form of hydrocarbon gas. Natural gas has many popular uses with most noted ones as being domestic use for cooking and heating, power generation, transportation fuel for automobiles and air jets, and in the production of fertilizers such as Ammonia (Aresta & Dibenedetto, 2007)
S., China, Russia, and India strive to secure the non-renewable bases of energy resources (Asif & Muneer, 2007)
gov/docs/fy12osti/52409-1.pdf Appendix I Source: (Lund
Leading non-renewable resources are fossil and radioactive fuels. Fossil fuel includes resources such as coal, crude oil, and natural gas whereas radioactive fuel includes metal ores such as uranium ore to produce electricity (Mongillo, 2011)
Big oil could certainly use a makeover after the Gulf oil spill and publically, at least, oil conglomerates are embracing electric and hybrid vehicles in many ways including biofuels and as suppliers of raw materials for batteries. A123 Systems, a Massachusetts-based upstart in the electric vehicle battery industry recently made a deal to buy a key material for its lithium-ion cells and batteries from ConocoPhillips Specialty Products (Garthwaite)
The other important factor for big oil is the fact that oil is a finite resource. In fact, it is predicted that oil production will peak in 2014, so oil companies are smart to consider diversifying their product offerings (Hsu)
The Obama administration's $2.4 billion investment in the development of batteries and other electric-car technology in the United States is an enormous bet on a product that has yet to gain broad commercial success (Kornblut and Whoriskey)
S. motorists drive less than 40 miles in their daily commutes, it is unclear whether consumers will accept the limitation (Motavalli)
Electric Trucks Electric and hybrid cars may be a hard sell to consumers, but electric trucks are more likely to secure a foothold with businesses. Freightliner Custom Chassis (CNG) is putting Tesla batteries in the electric trucks it will have on the road next year (Squatriglia)