The Fossil Fuel Problem

The oil industry runs our country. At the very least, it has a huge hand in shaping our economy and who we are dependent on as a nation. Oil drilling has been a controversial point of debate in recent years. The reason for this is that the United States’ dependency on fossil fuels is a huge director of our economy. We are very reliant on cheap transportation, and when transporting goods and services becomes more costly, the quality of those goods and services decreases, or the price for them goes up. This negatively affects both national and local markets. The entire developed world is dependent on oil, and its large effects are described by The New York Times: “Over the last decade, the price of oil has taken a roller coaster ride, rising steadily from 2002 to 2007, soaring in 2008 to a peak of $147 a barrel before plummeting to $33 just five months later as the global economic meltdown suppressed demand” (Times).

This affects us on a much more personal level as well. Every time someone goes to the gas station to fill up his or her car with gasoline or diesel fuel, they see the prices of the fuel going up. Sometimes they go up by fractions of a cent, other times it can be ten cents, but the problem is that everyone is dependent on transportation in our day and age. This is true especially if that transportation is cheap. When people have to focus more on the costs of transportation, then they will focus less on other things. They will also be more financially and maybe even mentally and physically strained to make sure they earn enough money to allow them to get along with their daily lives. Cheap transportation is so vital to everyday people. They need to get food, to go to work, to interact with other people in their community. When people’s wallets are hurt, then their whole lives are affected.

Our enslavement to the importing of oil to fuel and direct our economy is not only harming us economically, but it is quite literally fueling the terrorist efforts of many of the main terrorist units in the war-torn Middle East. Every single one of the terrorist cells that are anti-American are supported and supplied directly from someone with serious amounts of money. The “someone” in this case is almost always an oil sheik. In Baghdad in 1960, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (or OPEC) was formed. It consisted of all of the major oil distributing Middle Eastern countries. This delivered the oil, along with the power, straight to the governments of these countries: “… these governments nationalized their oil industries, formed national companies, and, in many places, kicked out foreign companies” (Times). And with the oil, comes the money. Where does the money come from? It comes straight from the hardworking hands of the United States’ citizens; anyone who owns a car, motorcycle, or regularly rides a bus contributes to the riches of the Middle East. To put it in a very crass manner, as a nation, we are actually doing very well from our oil dependence, as our investment in the Middle East is spent on training and bombs with which they use to blow us up. Technically, they are putting the money right back onto American soil.

Besides the adverse economic implications, oil drilling and oil dependence is slowly but surely destroying the Earth’s environment. The buildup of so called “greenhouse gases” – gases that contribute to the warming of the Earth by absorbing infrared radiation – is endangering the stability of our weather, and is gradually leading to the demise of nature. If we don’t control our slow destruction of the environment, soon there will no longer be an environment to destroy. As of right now, the humans on this Earth cannot live without nature. We rely on it, as we have relied on it for the entirety of our 1 million year existence. It supplies us with necessary things to survive and flourish as a species. The fossil fuel dependency of the entire world is a sickness that must be cured.

However, there are some people who might not be so hasty to abstain from the using of fossil fuels. These people are individuals who have relied on oil drilling their whole lives; it gives them their livelihoods, and in many cases their fortunes. There are also political implications to consider. Some might try to cover up or even completely deny that our dependency on oil is of a destructive nature.

This is a vital current topic to discuss. If we as a people continue to be as dependent on oil as we have been, by the time my generation is directing this country, there will not be a country to control anymore. If us Americans do not do something quickly, the eventual demise of our country as we know it is inexorable. Oil outputs have been still ever-increasing, but they cannot sustain this level of growth forever. The world’s population is “expected to grow by 50 percent over the next four decades, and with it, the need for fuel” (Times).

But what can anyone do to change the entire course of a nation singlehandedly? Short of becoming president, nothing can directly be done. But there are small steps that communities and schools can take to bring about our eventual weaning off of oil. As a University of Denver community, we have been taking many steps to make a difference. For example, the entire 125-acre campus of DU is an arboretum to foster knowledge of plants and especially trees; this also provides “educational opportunities for sustainable management of trees and integration of human and natural environments” (Sustainability Map). Besides that example, the University of Denver has over thirty other green measures that have been recently implemented. These actions that have been taken have been the direct result of an active Sustainability Council here at the University.

I personally believe that there should be even more done. Becoming green has come to be easier and more effortlessly accessible through technological advancements. For example, solar panels were an expensive thing that no one had any interest in using just a few years ago. But as of 2008, there are around 180 square meters of solar collectors of all types around the world (Kyriakides). And that number is increasing. If the University of Denver were to implement a plan to put solar panels on the roofs of many of the school’s major buildings, it would extremely increase our dependency on outside energy and it would be a huge step to making us self-sufficient.

Our country’s dependency on fossil fuels and oil has greatly affected the United States. It has made us dependent on other nations to, metaphorically ad physically, fuel our economy. It is because of this it is vitally necessary for us to become self-dependent when it comes to energy, and this can start even at something as local and as simple as the University of Denver.

Less Carbon Footprints, Better Environment

In the fist fall after I had been here, after a long hot summer, my friend told me, it would be snow in October. However, the snow was not begun until November. As we all know recently the global warming changed the climate obviously. The snow season came shorter and the summer turned to be longer is an obvious sign of global warming. What’s cause the global warming? “Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up.” Also, these carbon dioxides and air pollution are named greenhouse gases. Carbon footprints measure how much carbon dioxide we produce in daily life. To decrease carbon footprints, there are two important points, reduce and recycle.

Matthias mentions that more carbon dioxide can increase the growth of the plant. We would have more food. This is because the plants need carbon dioxide to grow. “With free airborne plant fertilizer and longer growing seasons, food production will skyrocket.” Also we can suffer a shorter cold days during the winter. Although summer itself would not get longer, days with warm temperatures will last longer then before. “So stock up on bathing suits.” It sounds like not a bad thing.

Nevertheless, what’s more important, the increase of temperature has bad effect of people’s health. As the weather become warmer, some diseases get a suitable environment to alive and spend. Because of the climate change, heat, humidity and rainfall will bring more mosquitoes, ticks and other parasites and carriers of tropical and subtropical disease to spread. Even to the area where these disease are not exist. Another fact as we all know is that if the temperature keeps increasing the sea levels are also rising as a result of global warming. This is harmful to islands and low-lying areas. People who live in that area may loss their home if is continues. There are some place disappeared because of global warming, like the Tiny Island which was in Bay of Bengal. All over the word faced these problems. If we focus on Colorado specially, for example, the longer time of summer and the shorter snow season changes water and snow pack, which is a great risk for Colorado. “Environment Colorado pointed to the current Boulder County Fourmile Canyon fire which has burned over 7,000 acres and 169 structures, along with the 2009 Boulder County Olde Stage Fire which burned over 3,000 acres during the winter, as examples of severe damage that extreme weather can cause.”

As it brings such a huge influence, where are these large amounts of greenhouse gas come from? A research shows that, 32 present of greenhouse gas come from electricity and heat. Land use change and forestry produce 24 present of greenhouse gas, there is 17 present from transportation, other fuel combustion are produce almost 10 present of greenhouse gas and industrial processes produce about 3 present greenhouse gas. As a result the carbon prints have connection with our individual life are from the electricity and heat and the transportation. The greenhouse gas they produced almost half of the whole quantity.

It is not as hard as we considered reducing carbon prints. We can start it from our daily life. There are two important points: reduce and recycle.

There are many things we can do to reduce the carbon footprints. As the above mentions, there are about 50 present carbon footprints come from electricity and heater and from the transportation. At the warm days, turn the thermostat up two degrees, and during the cold weather turn the thermostat down two degrees. In this way, it will decrease carbon output by about 2,000 pounds per year and can save about $98 per year for everyone. It is a quite good way, which benefit both the environment and people themselves. Nowadays people cannot leave without cell phone to connect with their family, friends, or people they have work relations. We usually keep them on even if we don’t use them, like after going to bed at night. Because we use our cell phone a lot, the battery used up quickly. Some of people include we have a bad habit, we don’t unplug electronics when don’t use them. Also like our stereos, after we used them, we always forget to unplug electronics. And we feel it is convinces for us because next time before we use them we don’t need to put the electronics on. However, even when electronics are turned off, something like cell phone charges, stereos, toasters and computers keep using energy. If people pull plugs out of the wall, they can save about 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $256 per year. It is easier to figure out there are too much traffic on the road. More and more people prefer to have a car because it makes life easier. While standing besides the street, people could not feel comfortable, as the cars produce too much carbon dioxide. If people can take the bus or light-rail, ride a bike, walk or carpool at least on day a week, they could avoid producing large mounts of carbon dioxide. From a research, every time people avoid driving one mile, they save one pound of carbon dioxide. Also, fill the car tires while driving. Inflated tires need more energy to roll, it means people need more frequent fill up gasoline. According to the Department of Energy, people can improve their fuel economy by about 3.3 percent if them keep their tires inflated properly. It shows that a car that normally gets 25 miles per gallon and drives 12,000 miles per year would require on extra 16- gallon fill-up annually and this extra 16 gallon need about $50. Multiply that by a million cars and the difference really adds up.

Another useful method to reduce carbon dioxide is recycling. Every time we recycle one pound of garbage, we reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by one pound. In Denver, there is a website (www.denvergov.org/DenverRecycles ) for people to recycle the old or useless stuffs. At home there are always some old things like laptop, television and so on. We don’t use them any more, but they still stay at our home. This is because we don’t know where to throw them away and we afraid they might damage environment. While in this website, they prove us a easy way to recycle our useless things. What you need to do is sign up for pick up. If you live in a single-family house, town home, or an apartment building with fewer than seven units, you can get residential pick up for free. If you live in a larger apartment complex, you can click on the recycling directory link to find the closest drop off recycling center.

We all know global warming had already become a world wild issue, it has close connection with everyone. While to cut down the carbon footprints, is the key point to solve global warming. If we pay attention “reduce” and “recycle”, control the production of carbon dioxide in the nature environment would not be tough any more.

It's Pretty Easy Being Green, by Sheridan Sleeper

In the United States during recent years, there has been a tremendous push for “green” technology and renewable energy. Dependency on oil is lessening due to the preservation of natural resources and new methods of powering our country. Denver has made a conscious effort to promote a “green” city and utilize all of the resources available in the process. The current use of solar panels in Denver and surrounding areas are revolutionizing our dependency on fossil fuels. Solar energy is beneficial for our environment and although they may not produce immediate results, they will have a significant impact in the long-run. We do not have endless natural resources and we must find ways to preserve the minimal resources we do have in order to prolong their existence. Many people question these new methods due to the incredibly high bills that tax payers must tolerate the costs of, as well as we do not have the materials to physically create the panels. However, the majority is in favor of this new technology which is seen by the numerous solar companies that implement panels for commercial and personal use. Through the use of solar energy we need to make a conscious effort to preserve our natural resources and environment.

Recently, Xcel Energy has cut incentives offered to customers for using solar energy which is deterring citizens from further investing in solar systems. As Steve Raabe reports, “The utility is asking state regulators to approve further cutbacks in the subsidy program. Xcel said the reductions are justified because the cost of solar panels has been declining and customers no longer need higher incentives to offset installation costs.” Solar panels are becoming much more common, especially in Denver; therefore, they are becoming less costly. The article also addresses the concerns of Neal Lurie, executive director of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, who states, “This is absolutely devastating to the solar industry. No industry can survive this kind of shock.” These incentives are necessary in the promotion of solar energy because the financial sanctions lure people in more efficiently due to the high costs.

With the effects of the recent recession still looming, this is an opportune time to promote energy preservation. With every tank of gas we purchase, we are fueling terrorism and jeopardizing our national security. A portion of the $3.20 per gallon that we are spending on gas is propping up the Saudi Arabian oil sheiks. In theory, we are providing the monetary means to terrorists for attacking the United States. There are reasonable ways to lessen our support of the Middle East and solar energy is a solid alternative to purchasing oil. Through renewable energy we can support our own economy and contribute less to the economies of the volatile Middle East.

Denver has been a huge leader in this movement which is seen by the solar panels off of Route 6 West in addition to the panels at the Denver International Airport. Specifically, the panels off of Route 6 “generate nearly 10 percent of the Denver Federal Center's peak electricity demand”. They are currently producing 3.2 megawatts of power and the solar project is being expanded with an expected finish date of August 2011. The Denver Business Journal states, “The second phase involves two fields of solar power panels capable of generating 2.39 megawatts and 10 carport structures topped with panels capable of generating 1.06 megawatts.” This innovative technology is giving Denver a leg up on other cities in the race to create an environmentally friendly community.

The solar project outside of the Jeppesen Terminal was created in 2008. The panels contribute, “3.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually at DIA and support Denver’s commitment to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere by more than five million pounds each year.” Five million pounds of carbon emissions is a colossal amount of toxins that would be choking our atmosphere if the panels did not exist.

Our environment is rapidly changing and we need to be proactive in preserving the only atmosphere we have. This rouses emotions in people because our well-being, the health of animals, and the growth of plants are all affected by our actions. The carbon emissions we discharge into the air are killing the wildlife in addition to our beautiful milieu. It is depressing to see eighteen-wheelers releasing thick, black smoke into the air each time they shift gears while they’re driving through the natural, breath-taking Rockies. There are many aspects of our society that we cannot change, however when given the opportunity to make changes, we need to do everything in our power to make a difference.

Denver is establishing their credibility through their actions as well. Their stance on current environmental concerns is evident by the implementation of solar panels around the city. It’s clear to citizens in the area that they need to support Denver by taking personal action and reducing their carbon emissions. Also, the idea of reduce, reuse, recycle in addition to solar panels on homes has become prominent. If the city of Denver continues to take action in the “green” scene, the chain reaction of citizens being proactive will persist. One organization in particular, has been a leader in driving citizens to help out. The Colorado Renewable Energy Society releases newsletters each month to their members in the community regarding manners in which the everyday citizen can help out. For example, the latest issue addresses “Solar PV Leasing an Attractive Option for Homeowners”. The beginning of the article states,

Even with rebates, tax credits and net metering, it is a financial stretch for many homeowners to purchase a system outright. In order to bring solar PV into the reach of more residents, several companies in Colorado have implemented programs for solar leasing. Under the solar leasing programs, a homeowner pays little or nothing up front to gain the long-term financial and environmental benefits that solar PV provides.

They provide very useful information and viable options for people of all demographics to do their share in saving the environment. Even though the systems are still expensive, there are ways to lease the panels which is making them much more accessible to the public. The resources and means to use solar are available therefore serious consideration should be placed on leasing the systems.

In a state with 300 days or more of sunshine, Colorado is the ideal place to use solar energy in businesses in addition to homes. The government and private companies have given us the solutions to reducing our carbon emissions, it’s now our time to take advantage of these opportunities. Solar has proven to be successful and if we are truly concerned about the condition of our environment as well as our future environment, we need to take action and invest in solar energy. As a community and individually, we will not regret the investment.