Activity 3.2.3- Alternative energy - Geothermal Energy

                Every living organism requires energy to survive, and as societies continue to develop globally, the world grows increasingly reliant on energy to provide and maintain a higher quality of living (n.d.1). These energy needs, known as commercial energy needs(Commercial Energy Use) include electricity to heat and power homes and businesses, fuels for powering modes of transportation, and to aid in the production of synthetic fibers and vital medicines(n.d.1). Commercial energy comes from two sources, either conventional or alternative. Conventional energy sources provide energy through traditional ways such as burning fossil fuels (Conventional energy). 82% of the world's commercial energy needs are currently met through use of conventional energy, meaning the world majorly relies on fossil fuels to meet its energy needs. Fossil fuels are classified as a nonrenewable energy source, which means they are finite. Some prominent characteristics of non-renewable, or conventional, resources is that they pollute environments and contribute to climate change, which all contribute to making them undesirable for meeting the needs of energy sustainability in the future(Energy Resources). 

                   Alternative energy sources, also known as renewable energy sources, make up the other 18% of the world's commercial energy use, and are provided through non-traditional ways such as capturing solar and wind power(Conventional energy). Renewable resources "can theoretically be renewed at least as quickly as they're consumed", and have become a major area of interest after the world wide energy crisis that happened in the 70's. Renewable resources are often referred to as "alternative resources" because, on top of not being a traditional energy source, a majority of industrialized countries mainly utilize conventional energy sources to meet their energy needs (n.d.2). These alternative resources have been recognized as beneficial for a wide variety of reasons including that they cause little to no pollution in the environment, cut down on risks of oil spills, and emit almost no greenhouse gases which are highly important aspects of consideration to care for the health and safety of humans and all other biological life, as well as to fight against climate change. They would also allow for decentralization of businesses and communities because they don't have to be so close to a power grid due to having access to their own power-producing technology. Finally, a majority of alternative energy sources get their energy either directly or indirectly from the sun. The sun isn't estimated to burn out for 4 to 5 billion years, making all of these sources essentially inexhaustible when used the right way (n.d.2). 

                    An interesting source of alternative energy comes from geothermal heat trapped within the earth, which is used to produce geothermal energy.  Geothermal energy is typically harvested in a geothermal plant through the steam that is released from a well drilled into the earth in an area where high geothermal potential has been identified. These areas are typically found where large amounts of seismic activity are present. The steam is created from water that seeps down into the layers of the earth and heats up. This resource is desirable for electricity production because geothermal plants don't burn fuels to produce their electricity and also use scrubber systems which makes their emissions super low, including those that cause acid rain. A few disadvantages of this resource include the fact that not every environment is suitable for harvesting this type of energy, and the life-span of each geothermal plant is not indefinite because the energy production relies on groundwater recharge rates (n.d.2). 

                   As mentioned before, the world's overall energy demands are increasing due to modernization and development globally. It is estimated that we have about 200 years left until we run out of fossil fuels, and while yes we could continue to use them until they are gone, their limited availability is not the only concern that is raised in using them. They also pollute the environment, require destruction of the environment to be retrieved, and emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide when burned (Energy resources). Greenhouse gases being added to the atmosphere cause more of the sun's heat to be held in the earth's atmosphere instead of escaping it, which is causing an overall change in the climates of environments all over the world (Freedman, Bill). The environmental pollution, destruction, and and change in global environments and weather systems are a threat to all living organisms on earth, especially humans. While fossil fuels provide answers to energy needs now, they are ultimately causing long term damage to people, and the world, that may be irreversible if we continue to let it get worse. These facts combined made scientists come to the conclusion that we as a species have to invest in finding alternative energy sources in order to survive and thrive, and all signs seem to point to renewable energy sources despite any disadvantages they may have(n.d.1). 

Works cited

“Conventional energy.” Conventional Energy, InforMEA, www.informea.org/en/terms/conventional-energy.

“Commercial Energy Use.” Commercial Energy Use - Energy Education, University of Calgary , 31 Jan. 2020, energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Commercial_energy_use.

“Energy Resources.”, directed by Anonymous, produced by Brian A. Jerome, and Visual Learning Systems., Visual Learning Systems, 2007. Alexander Street, http://video-alexanderstreet-com.nvcproxy.alamo.edu/watch/energy-3.

Freedman, Bill. “Chapter 17: Atmospheric Gases and Climate Change .” Environmental Science: a Canadian Perspective, by Bill Freedman, W. Ross MacDonald School Resource Services Library, 2012, pp. 395–397. 

Mutiti, S., et al (n.d.1),(2018). “Chapter 3: Non-renewable Energy”. Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia. 

Mutiti, S., et al (n.d.2),(2018). “Chapter 4: Renewable Energy”. Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.