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Alternative Energy

Alternative Energy Sources - The Best Aid in Times of Crisis

by Wayne Wargo (PenWay.org)

The topic of alternative energy resources seems to appear more and more in the media as a subject of serious interest. Without a doubt, the need for these resources is now a significant problem all around the globe. Energy crisis, of course, is not a naturally occurring phenomenon; in other words, people are to blame for it. However, it is much too late and the dilemma is too far out of control to attempt to single out whoever committed the biggest mistake. What you can do: learn about alternative energy resources, and resolve to make a personal contribution in helping to understand the problem’s origination. Then begin working to locate and use the alternative energy sources available to you.

Just looking around you and taking notice of our environment, amidst all the technological advancements, you will still be amazed at how nature itself provides for all the needs of mankind. Through the years, however, this has been overlooked and taken advantage of. This, of course, has resulted in the energy crisis that we are facing now. But needless to say, you cannot turn back time and undo the damage that has already been done. The most influential thing that you can do is contribute to helping resolve the problem or reducing it, even with your personal limited means.

Are you aware of the available renewable sources of energy that surround you? Such resources are everywhere. Start by looking in all directions around you. Look up, and there is the sun that produces solar power. The sun's rays can be converted into electricity through solar cells, solar thermal panels, parabolic mirrors and other media.

Look down, and underneath you. Did you know that the heat coming from the ground can also be turned into energy resources? Holes are being drilled in certain regions to locate steam that is produced by the heat underneath the earth’s surface. The steam can then be purified, and used to power electric generators.

Look around you, and feel the air. Wind can also create energy as this drives the blades of wind turbines. This rotation of the blades produces electrical current that can be utilized through electrical generators. In 2005, it was reported that it is possible for the capacity of wind-powered generators to reach up to 58,982 megawatts.

Did you know that water covers approximately three-fourths of the Earth’s surface? Hydroelectric energy comes from water. This can be used for its kinetic energy or for the tidal power to produce the energy. It can also be contained in a dam that harnesses the gravitational fall of a river to become an energy source.

Now, in this time of energy crisis, it is more important than ever to take action and make use of the available renewable energy resources such as those discussed above. Aside from the fact that they are free, they will continue to be available as long as we understand how to properly care for our environment, without further abusing its abundant resources.

Experts worldwide are conducting studies in order to find methods of improving the utilization of these available alternative energy sources. People and businesses must discover ways to slowly detach themselves from their dependency on the use of energy sources that are non-renewable. In a matter of years, this reliance will decrease until it slowly diminishes very substantially. Meanwhile, the discovery of better ways to replace that dependency on non-sustainable energy resources will improve the ability to replace the traditional energy resources with renewable alternatives.

Once you, as an individual, begin finding ways and means to make use of the energy resources already available around you, you next have to be certain that these resources will be cared for and properly used – to avoid another energy crisis such as the one we are already experiencing due to the depletion of our natural resources such as coal, oil, etc. Caring for the environment encompasses many things besides substituting the use of alternative energy resources for non-renewable resources, and includes finding your own particular ways to lessen pollution, planting and caring for plants and trees, and (specifically) supporting the manufacture, sale and use of products that are free of chemicals which are harmful to the environment.

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