The conservation of natural resources has been a growing concern throughout the years since global warming is increasing. The result is a severe climate change but there are ways to help this problem. There are opportunities to greatly reduce energy intensity through gains in efficiency. These gains could be made by both technological advances and price induced substitution (Reilly and Crimmins 28). A big effect of global warming is the rise of sea levels and the fact that it will affect almost every species (Olmsted 46). This problem has resulted in people having to move to find food, shelter and water, all the things people need to survive (Olmsted 46). Scientists have concluded that the sea level will rise two meters by 2100 (Olmsted 46).
The Earth is not running out of fossil fuels but the continued reliance on fossil fuels is altering Earth’s energy balance. The risks of extreme temperature changes and subsequent impacts will grow substantially unless concrete actions are taken (Reilly and Crimmins). Fossil fuels are used for gas, airplane fuel, heating homes, electricity and cooking food (Fossil Fuels).
People refer to what is happening to the Earth as the butterfly effect. The butterfly effect is the idea that even the smallest action can initiate a big change (Olmsted 42). Even just turning on a light bulb emits more carbon into the atmosphere adding to global warming (Olmsted 43). This is just one person but everyday billions of people in the world turn on a light bulb and that turn the little amount of carbon into a giant amount being released into the atmosphere.
Water is a very important resource to mankind, we need it for survival. The Earth is covered by three-fourths water but only one percent of it is available for human use (Yeager). This shows that we don’t really have so much that we should be wasting it. The typical shower uses 10-25 gallons of water (Yeager). This is just for one person; imagine how much that is when everyone in the world is showering. There are water shortages throughout the world. Two thirds of the world’s population lives on less than 13 gallons of water per day when the average American uses about eight times that much (Water Conservation).
To help conserve our Earth’s natural resources scientists have been trying to find alternatives. One that was discovered was the use of tequila for fuel (The Action Blog). Wind turbines are another possibility for alternative power (Reilly and Crimmins 26). To conserve paper you can do things online such as paying bills and sending e-mails (Conservation of Natural Resources). Turning off lights and other electronics will also conserve energy (Conservation of Natural Resources).
Looks like you are gathering good information. However, there is still a long way to go before we have an essay.
ReplyDeleteSome quick suggestions:
First sentence of paragraph 3, what "people"? This is a good place for an attributive tag.
It looks like you have a lot of quotes chained together. Make sure that we can read your voice telling the reader what is important to know.
Consider a chronological introduction to the problem in your opening paragraph?
Hi Alex!
ReplyDeleteI'm also very concerned about the future of our planet. I love that you've pointed out a very important aspect of this issue: "The Earth is not running out of fossil fuels but the continued reliance on fossil fuels is altering Earth’s energy balance." I know WAY too many people who think the problem is that we're running out of fossil fuels like oil, and who think that if we're not running out, then there is no problem. ("We'll just drill the Arctic, yay!":-/) Not everyone understand that the real problem is that fossil fuels like oil and coal are terribly polluting, through both their use and their extraction.
I also appreciated the practical advice you gave, such as: "To conserve paper you can do things online such as paying bills and sending e-mails. . .Turning off lights and other electronics will also conserve energy." But what about the suggestions that might be difficult for the average citizen to do, like exploring alternative fuels and using wind power--is there a way for people to help make this happen, even if they can't do it themselves? (I'm thinking about people who can't afford to install a wind power system, but who still care about renewable energy; should they be writing to congress to encourage green energy policies? Investing in green power companies? etc.) This kind of information might be empowering for people to know. I found an interesting group called the Energy Action Coalition that help people take actions like these: http://energyactioncoalition.org/
This was an interesting blog, Alex. Thanks for sharing!
Good essay, well-organized. I did not know much about this topic before reading this and it seemed to help me with the questions I had. This essay made me want to learn more about the environment and more things to help the environment out a litte that I didn't know made a difference before. I think there could be a little more information, but all in all, it was a nice essay!
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