Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?
About This Topic
The world's supply of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, are finite and will eventually run out. Whether alternative energy sources such as ethanol, other biofuels, hydrogen, solar, geothermal, or nuclear energy can or should meet energy demands better than fossil fuels remains hotly debated.
Pro Alternative Energy Replacing Fossil Fuels
Con Alternative Energy Replacing Fossil Fuels
PRO: Proponents of alternative energy believe that fossil fuels are inefficient, polluting, and contribute to global climate change, and that the US must transition away from these fossil fuels and develop alternative energy sources.
They see dependence on fossil fuels as unsustainable and a threat to our economic stability. They say that fossil fuels can be effectively replaced with alternative energy sources.
Many also believe that use of fossil fuels is environmentally destructive and that new energy alternatives have fewer risks. They see the creation of new green businesses as a potential boon to the economy.
CON: Opponents of fossil fuel alternatives believe that many technological hurdles would 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 and that advances in efficiency will keep fossil fuels as the most economical choice. They believe that we have enough energy for many more years and that any potential need for alternative energy is overstated.
They believe that heavy reliance on marginally useful alternative energies will negatively impact the economy.
