1. My first read and seed covers the first introductory chapter "Our Energy Choices"; pages 1-33.
2. This introductory chapter lays down of the current energy crisis we are in. Pahl fears if there is nothing done soon to stop the energy crisis then there will be no hope. It will be to late to turn the tides. The sector that uses the most energy and that will be hit the hardest is transportation. This is because transportation uses 95% of the world's oil production. Then once transportation is effected then food production and product production will be effected. This because a lot of food is shipped across the country. If there is no oil to power the trucks or ships then our local supermarket shelves will soon become bare. The same with any other product. Just think of how much we ship from other countries such as China. The chapter goes on to explain the non-renewable and renewable resources. The non-renewable resources that will be described in this book are coal, oil, synthetic oil,natural gas, and nuclear energy. The renewable energy sources that will be discussed are wind, solar, water, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen and liquid biofuels. These energy sources will be discussed in detail in later chapters.
3. I knew of the basic renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and water. I have learned what biomass and liquid biofuels are. Biomass is plant material such as wood or agricultural waste that is used as fuel. Biofuel is a liquid such ethanol or methanol that is made from biomass products. In this chapter Pahl makes a distinct difference between renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources is fuel that is from naturally occurring products that can regenerate through nature such as wind. Non-renewable resources can not be regenerated through nature such as coal. Once these resources are used up they are gone.
4. The effects of the energy crisis may not be entirely visible in our lives at the moment but they will be felt in the future, According to Pahl, the lower and middle class will be the ones to feel the effects first. As there is less and less energy available, prices will rise and the lower classes will struggle to pay for heat and electricity. In order to avoid the economic disaster that will come from using up our resources, society should develop ways to use renewable resources. We must think outside of the box and see the solution that is sitting right in front of us. Renewable resources are better for the environment. They do not cause as many pollutants and can be more efficient.
So I am just trying to understand this, basically your book is talking about that if we do not stop consuming as much energy as we do now, there will be none left? More or less? So the author is lookng for more ways to use energy that is environment friendly?
ReplyDeleteThats what I get out of it anyways, let me know if I'm even close. Your book does sound very educational though, I think we can learn a lot.
I took Environmental Science my freshman year, and learned that our oil supply has already hit its peak and it only going to continue to deplete from here on out. It is so important that we start making adjustments NOW, and save our low supply of resources while we can, incase a crisis were to ever happen. Although the alternative energy sources may be expensive to install right off the bat, the long run is what matters. I just wish that this demand would prove more urgent to more people, so that we could get this movement in motion!!!!!
ReplyDeleteuseful ways to use energy...i wouldn't doubt what the author is saying...It sounds like from all the comments that most of us are struggling with how high energy costs are where they live here in town. I know in Duluth many of the houses are very old fashion & are what are eating our heat & energy. They all need updating...would it cost too much time & money to try and restore them? Or would it be worth it in the long run?
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