Alternative Energy vs Fossil Fuels

Humans are at a critical point in our history and evolution, as we look set to face an energy crisis on an unprecedented scale. Global energy companies are pouring money into renewable energies, in the hope that the perfect alternative energy solution comes along. In the meantime, we look to expand on some of the more fruit-bearing forms of alternative energy, whilst slowing down, or closing down, the most damaging fossil fuel derived forms of power.

Let’s take a look at alternative energy vs fossil fuels, and see which is going to give us the most sustainable support long term…

Alternative Energy

• Solar Power
• Wind Power
• Geo-Thermal Power
• Hydro Power
• Tidal Power
• Nuclear Power
• Biomass

Those are just a few of the dozens of alternative energies that have been discovered or developed in the last few years. Each possesses its own positives and, equally, there are many related negatives too. Solar power is expensive, and requires a lot of silicone and dangerous materials to produce.

Unfortunately, in terms of energy generation to meet current, global requirements, the other alternatives fare little better.

Wind power suffers intermittent winds, geo-thermal power is still developing, hydro power takes a long time to install, tidal power is not strong enough, Nuclear power is contentious, and creates a sense of fear around it due to its potentially hazardous implications, and biomass doesn’t produce enough energy to make a necessary contribution to the cause.

Fossil Fuels

• Oil (Petrol, LPG, Fuel Oil)
• Coal
• Wood
• Natural Gas

Fossil fuels convert very well from a solid, or gaseous state into energy; that’s not up to for debate, but what is up for debate is how much damage they cause the planet, and how we plan to account for them running out in the not-so-distant future. They are finite, meaning that one day, there will simply be none left, especially as we aggressively drill and ‘frack’ in search of more.

We’ve deforested most of the planet, and we now bury our rubbish in the ground, seal it, and capture all the gases this produces as well. This heavy dependence on fossil fuels is not healthy, but it has allowed us to progress further than any previous civilisation; we’re all indebted to the obvious opportunities it’s provided.

Now, as we talk alternative energy vs fossil fuels, we have to be more rational, with the future at the forefront of our thinking.

As a comparison, looking to the future

Looking forward, few can argue that alternative energy vs fossil fuels has anything other than a victory for alternative energy. In the short term, it’s likely we will see a huge increase in nuclear energy, as this appears to be our best ‘clean’ energy source, and is the only energy source strong enough to help shut down the coal-fired plants.

This is a vital step in moving to the future – closing the coal plants. We are not yet ready to stop using fossil fuels, that cannot be denied, and so we are in a massive period of transition, one that will take decades to resolve, in which we build turbines, fit panels to roofs, build nuclear plants and hydroelectric damns and more.

When the day comes that we can survive solely on alternative energy, if this day does come, it will be a victory for humanity-and the future generations to come.