Exploratory Essay

Renewable Energy:

Why Cant the U.S. Be Like Norway?

Norway seems to have it right in this age of energy conservation and constant search for renewable energy. The United States, is totally caught up in the consumption of various fossil fuels such as oil and coal, which puts them in the category of one of the most pollutant countries in the world, along with China. Why does renewable energy interest me? Because if the United States were able to find a renewable resource that is very abundant in their region, costs of literally everything would steadily decrease. No longer would it cost an arm and a leg to purchase a tank of gas. Instead of costly natural gas that heats our houses in the winter, and coal that provides electricity to our cities, we could be using some kind renewable energy.
The renewable resource used in Norway is Hyrdro-electric, basically water. According to an energy summary of Norway, 99.4 % of their electricity comes from hydro power. That is literally their entire power source. That means they are super clean as far as polluting the planet. Even though a lot of the U.S. is powered by huge nuclear power plants, they have to deal with where to put the toxic bi-product.
The other nice thing about getting most of your energy from a renewable resource is that it enables Norway to sell off a large portion of their gas and oil. According to OPEC, Norway is the 3rd largest net exporter of oil, making them one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
The argument against renewable resources in the United States is that it is not cost effective, that it costs more to run than it brings in. In my opinion this argument is pathetic. The energy corporations are set in their ways and at the time being making record profits from the high price of oil. All it would take is some money to invest in technology that would make cost effective for mass population to use. The United States is full of renewable such as wind and water, sunlight, geothermal energy, all it is going to take is a little effort on our part and public awareness to make it happen.

Source:
“Energy Summary Norway.” Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum. Dec 28, 2005. Sept 24, 2007. http://www.cslforum.org/norway.htm




What’s The Deal with Bottled Water?

The issue of bottled water has ignited over the last 10 years. It seemed to become the new big thing not just throughtout the U.S. but the world due to its convenience and so called high quality, as opposed to tap water. I feel that water is a huge environmental issue because it is THE fundamental issue to sustaining life. According to the United Nations, water is a fundamental right to all citizens of earth, and this bottled water phenomenon is truly effecting the world. According to my research, bottled water is seriously effecting our environment.
The United States consumes an estimated 8 billion gallons of bottled water this year, equating to roughly $11 billion dollars in revenue. However the real statistic is the 1.5 million barrels of oil it takes to produce the plastic bottles. That oil could be used elsewhere, especially with the price of oil nowadays.
Another point is the direction the corporations are leaning toward water. According to the yearly numbers, there is a huge amount of money to be made in the water industry. Which brings us to the point of privatizing water; which would make it more feasible for the large corporations to make larger profits. Anytime large mega corporations get involved in issues like this, they seem to just see the dollar sign and will do whatever it takes to earn a buck; if that means depriving a poor malnourished child water, so be it. As I have said before water is a fundamental right, and should not be taken away to be sold for profit. Therefore I believe that the United Nations and other powerful entities should set in before its too late and regulate the amount of bottled water made so that the environment is not hurt and all the people the world have free and public access to quality water.


Sources:

Paulson, Tom. “Thirst for Bottled Water may be hurting environment.” Seattle PI. April 19, 2007. Sept 24, 2006. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/312412_botwaterweb.html