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Alternative Energy

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Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?

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Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?

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Whether alternative energy sources such as biofuels, hydrogen, solar, geothermal, or nuclear energy can meet energy demands better than finite fossil fuels such as oil and coal remains hotly debated.

Proponents of alternative energy argue that fossil fuels are inefficient, unsustainable, environmentally destructive, and the primary contributor to global climate change. They say renewable energies are a viable and immediately needed alternative to fossil fuel use that could boost the US economy and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources.

Opponents contend that many technological hurdles have to be overcome before alternative energy can replace even a small portion of the power provided by fossil fuels. They say that fossil fuels will last hundreds of years longer, be made increasingly efficient, remain the most economical choice, and that reliance on inefficient alternative energies will hurt the economy.

Alternative Energy ProCon.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit website that presents facts, studies, and pro and con statements on questions related to alternative energy and fossil fuels.

Pros & Cons by Category

CORE QUESTION

Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?

Fossil Fuels & Alternative Energies Defined

What are fossil fuels?

What are alternative energies?

Energy & the Economy

Should the US subsidize alternative energies?

Will alternative energy development create more jobs?

Energy Use

How much energy do fossil fuels and alternative energies supply in the US?

Should the US immediately phase out fossil fuels?

Will alternative energy development increase US energy independence and security?

Oil

Will increased oil drilling help the US solve its energy crisis?

Should the US authorize the Keystone XL pipeline to import tar sand oil from Canada?

Peak Oil

What is peak oil?

Is global oil production at (or past) its peak?

Coal

Should the US use "clean coal" as an energy source?

Natural Gas

Should the US increase its use of natural gas?

What is hydraulic fracturing (fracking)?

Should the US use hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract natural gas?

Carbon Cap and Trade

Should the US implement a carbon cap and trade system?

Carbon Capture and Storage

Should carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology be developed?

Electricity Grid

What is the electricity grid?

Biofuels

What are biofuels?

Does ethanol generate more energy than the amount needed to produce it?

Will the development of biofuels, such as ethanol, reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Is biofuel production a major cause of the world food crisis?

Hydrogen

How is hydrogen fuel made?

What are fuel cells?

Should hydrogen (vs. electricity) be the dominant energy in the US?

Hydropower

Should the US build more hydropower dams?

Nuclear

How is nuclear power produced?

Is nuclear power cost-effective?

Is nuclear power safe for humans and the environment?

Is expanding nuclear energy production necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Solar Power

What are the different methods of solar power generation?

Is solar power production environmentally friendly?

Is solar power an economical alternative to conventional energy?

Wind Power

How is wind power produced?

Is wind power an economical alternative to conventional energy?

Is large-scale wind power production environmentally friendly?

Global Climate Change

What is global climate change?

What are greenhouse gases?

Are humans substantially responsible for global climate change today?

Share your thoughts on alternative energy and read, vote on, and reply to existing comments. Join the debate.

ProCon.org Notices (archived after 30 days)

4/26/2012 - Is nuclear power safe for humans and the environment? – Read statements, including post-Fukushima quotes, from experts such as John Hutton, Chairman of the Nuclear Industry Association (pro), Helen Caldicott, President of the Nuclear Policy Research Institute (con), the US Department of Energy (pro), and the Dalai Lama and nine other Nobel Laureates (con).

Archived Notices (archived after 30 days)

Last updated on 4/26/2012 2:01:00 PM PST