Why Do We Need Renewable Energy Solutions?

That may seem like a silly question. Surely everyone knows that we need to begin to develop renewable energy solutions sooner, rather than later. Our current energy policies are doing a number on the planet's ecological systems. Increasing pollution in the air and the seas, environmental impacts like oil spills and global warming are all, at least in part, due to our planet-killing energy habits.

There are numerous theories on the eventual exhaustion of the world's oil reserves and everyone from global leaders to the average American is fighting against nuclear power because they all group nuclear power together with the nuclear bomb devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It isn't a pretty picture.

Even so, you may be unaware of many of the important reasons to embrace renewable energy solutions. Here are some statistics:

According to top geologists and other intelligent people throughout the world, we will run out of oil by the year 2056. If you don't believe me, you can look it up on Google. The theories are usually under the term "peak oil". The recent spike in oil prices prompted several online discussions on whether we were closing in on peak oil now vs. later.

While it likely won't affect me personally, as I'll be either very old, or maybe even dead, many people that are alive today will still be on this planet in 2056, including most of our children, and grandchildren. Then what? Do we just hope for the best, or do we find alternatives now? Do we leave it such a terrible legacy for our progeny?

Now, to be honest, according to David Hume, a Scottish philosopher, economist and historian, we'll never run out. But I place little trust in a man who's been dead for over 230 years. I mean after all, back then we didn't have the consumption that we have now.

We didn't even have cars, let alone trains and jet planes, and the world's commerce wasn't carried from one place to another on diesel-powered transport trucks. In fact, the world had barely entered the industrial phase. Because of that, I don’t think that David Hume's philosophy is a good yardstick with which to judge the potential energy crisis.

If you really need proof that the world has an energy problem, consider the wars that have essentially been fought over this very problem. Much of the ado in the Middle East is not about nothing--it's about one thing and one thing only...oil.

And the US in particular is very aware that its days are numbered as far as relying on other sources for oil. As a result, the country is in somewhat of a panic mode right now.

For these reasons and tons more, we need to focus on renewable sources of energy. Otherwise, we're going to be reverting back to the days when we rubbed two sticks together to cook our barbeque ribs, and living and working within the small radius that our legs (or bicycles) can carry us.

About the Author
Change begins with you. Learn more about how you can create renewable energy for use in your home. Save energy and the environment using solar energy and wind power. For more information, visit http://solarpoweredhome.blogspot.com