Alternative Energy

How are lights able to turn on, how are our phones able to recharge and how does our TV turn on? The answer is because of electricity. Electricity is generated from energy sources, mainly from fossil fuels. As electricity is crucial for everyday life and we need it to power all the tools and equipment we use to survive, we have to find a way for it to not run out eventually. Due to this, we found another way to generate electricity without worrying if it will eventually run out, alternative energy sources. This essay will explain the reason why we use alternative energy, alternative energy used all over the world , and why different countries use different alternative energy sources.

Alternative energy is a type of energy that does not run out, as most alternative energy sources are renewable. There are many types of alternative energy, which includes solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, hydro energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, and many more. These types of energy resource will continuously be replenished which is why it is used as an alternative to fossil fuels that are not renewable. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas cannot be replenished, therefore people need alternative resources to generate electricity. Not only is alternative energy renewable, but it is also much better for the environment. Unlike fossil fuels, alternative energy does not produce greenhouse gasses, which can cause air pollution. According to ourworldindata.org, “And the very same energy sources lead to the deaths of many people right now – the air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills 3.6 million people in countries around the world every year.” Fossil fuels are the main energy source for most countries, however it is endangering the health of the people, and the well-being of our Earth. The number of people who have died from fossil fuels is alarming, which is why we need to start using alternative energy. Renewable energy such as wind energy does not produce or release any CO2 at all, which ultimately is better for the long run.

Countries all over the world have started to use alternative energy sources, and each of them use different types of alternative energy. For instance, Philippines use many alternative energy sources, including geothermal energy, hydropower, solar, and biomass. On the other hand, Germany’s main alternative energy is wind energy. Different countries use different alternative energy sources based on which is more efficient for them, and which alternative energy fits and fills their needs. How much alternative energy provides for their electrical supply also varies. For example, Iceland generates 100% of its electricity from alternative resources, whereas Russia, according to power-technology.com, its use of alternative energy has only reached 3.6% of its energy supply. Iceland should be used as an example for other countries, as they are able to use only renewable energy for their energy supply. Other countries should try to use more renewable energy sources as it is better for the long run and they will be able to take advantage of their resources without ruining the environment.

Different countries use different alternative resources based on their geographical locations and the resources they have. This is because countries all over the world have different climates, different tectonic activities, and different seasons. For example, countries that have high tectonic activity are able to use more geothermal energy in comparison to other countries. High tectonic activity means that the magma is closer to the surface of the area, which means that they have more heat within the surface. Another example is Iceland, one of the reasons why Iceland is able to use renewable energy for their whole energy supply is because of their geology which then supplies the country with hydro and geothermal resources. Geography plays an enormous part in the type of alternative energy used in a country, countries with colder weather will not have access to as much sunlight as tropical countries, which means they won't be able to produce as much energy when they use solar panels.

In conclusion, alternative energy has so many benefits not just for the environment, but for the health of us and our future generations. More and more countries have utilized alternative energy, and hopefully increase the amount of alternative energy used. The less fossil fuels we use the better, it is the most used source of energy but since it is not renewable, it will run out. If we start using alternative energy sources now, it will never run out and is going to do wonders for our planet and our health. Enough people have died from the pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels, and it needs to stop. Overall, alternative energy is what is best for our planet and our people.

Bibliography

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