How To Survive A Nuclear Holocaust

From: BestHealthDegrees.com

A funny info graphic about surviving a nuclear holocaust

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The costs of energy

The costs of energy have been increasing since they were first explored and exploited to fulfill daily needs. Speaking specifically about crude oil, the use of this limited resource has been increasing in use and cost in the last several decades, and even quite dramatically in the last fifteen years or so. People are driving larger, less gas efficient vehicles, more technology is being produced and need additional electricity, more people travel via airplane, take cruises, sail boats, and drive for sport. Not only is the fundamental source of fuel, crude oil, a limited resource, but it is also very costly to refine it into a usable substance. The discovery process for crude oil can be a hit or miss journey. Once a source has been located, then the drilling begins. The equipment is expensive and so is the labor. And, as we have seen in recent weeks, the costs of any and all “accidents” are also financially, and environmentally, costly.

So now it has been established that the main source of fuel in the current world is limited and costly, it is imperative to understand why the search for an alternative renewable source of energy is imminent and much needed. Many different sources of renewable energy have been explored, but none have fully taken root in the United States. Other countries, such as China, have taken an interest in some of the technologies discovered and harnessed here in the US. According to one American business owner “many of these technologies were invented in the U.S., but they have since migrated overseas because there has never been much of a market in the U.S.” (Heim). This could very well be what separates the “thinkers” and the “doers” in regards to implementing a mainstream renewable energy source.

According to the recent Shanghai Expo, China is displaying a very competitive edge in regards to a clean energy source. “Environmental disasters and China’s reputation as a prime polluter have driven some of that urgency” (Heim). China has become the world’s largest consumer of energy as well as the largest carbon emissions location in the world. As a result of these facts, China is looking at new ways to get ahead of the game by investing large sums of money into eco-friendly renewable energy sources.

One question many people have is why is a new source of energy needed? The first thing that comes to mind is that gasoline prices have skyrocketed in the last several years, which has been costly to many individuals as well as countries. In addition, crude oil is not a renewable source of energy. There is only so much oil on earth and it is being used at a much faster rate than it is being formed. The question as to whether or not oil has peaked in its supply still remains uncertain. However, oil is a finite source of energy and will eventually deplete, so the peak is not as important when making a decision to find alternative sources of energy. Also, take into consideration that the current main source of energy is very environmentally unfriendly. There are many pollutants that are caused by the current source of energy that can be eliminated if the primary source of energy is changed (Crump).

There are many risks associated with the locating, drilling, manufacturing, and use of crude oil. One of the current media frenzies surrounding crude oil is the Gulf Coast oil leak. According to CNN, the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill has released 4.9 million barrels of oil into the gulf coast region and only 3.3 million gallons have been recovered. The costs to BP are drastic however the economic impact to those who reside in this region will suffer more. The entire gulf coast relies on fishing, crabbing, oysters, recreational tourism, and other sources of monetary revenue. It is expected for the negative impact of the oil spill to impact this area for approximately the next three years. According to studies collected by CNN, the tourism travel source of revenue is estimated to be $7.6 billion within the next fifteen months. And we all know that the current oil spill is only one of the numerous incidents which have placed the environment at risk as a result of oil spills into natural habitats.

In searching for a new source of energy there are many factors that must be requirements. The replacement source of energy must be renewable. In order for the new source of energy to be a benefit, it must be able to be renewed and not a finite source. The new main source of energy must also be eco-friendly. The main reason why a new source of energy is being searched for is because the source of energy currently used, crude oil, is harmful to the environment. Looking for a replacement must have improvements, including being environmentally friendly. This also means that there must be minimal or zero pollutants as a result. If the renewable energy creates byproducts that are harmful to the environment, then it is pointless and counter productive to utilize that source. The new energy source must also be effective and reliable. If the new source cannot be relied upon to be consistent and effective in its delivery, it is not a viable substitute to what is already being used. And last, but not least, the replacement source of energy must be cost efficient. Part of the problem with crude oil is that it is far too costly to continue to maintain. Not only is it finite in its availability, but it is also very costly environmentally and financially. The byproducts created by processing crude oil causes harm to the environment and the cost of manufacturing the oil and transporting it harms the pocketbook.

There are many alternative methods to fuel today’s modern world. Some of the more popular renewable sources include hydro-electric power, wind power, all electric power, and solar power. Hydro-electric power offers a multitude of benefits including cost-efficiency and eco-friendliness, however not all geographical set-ups have fast enough running water to utilize this potential resource. Wind fueled electricity is cost efficient and wind is available all over the world. However, not all areas are suitable for building wind turbines on them. Converting to all-electric power requires an initial power supply. Essentially, switching to an “all-electric” source of energy requires it to be coupled with another source of energy in order to make it work. It is far too reliant on another component. And last but not least, solar power is very popular in eco-friendly conversations. Solar panels are quite costly in the onset of setting up solar energy as a renewable source however it pays off in the long run. Also, there are some areas on the globe that are not viable places for this type of renewable energy, such as far north and far south on the globe due to shortened daylight hours (Withgott & Brennan).

Wind power utilizes kinetic energy that is then converted into electrical energy, which can be used as a replacement to nonrenewable sources of energy. The use of wind power is dramatically increasing across the world. Germany, the United States, and Spain account for more than half of the world’s wind energy usage. Denmark is the leader in wind power output with 20% of power supplies coming directly from wind turbines. (Withgott & Brennan). Within the US, both California and Texas produce the majority of wind energy. This could be because both Texas and California are amongst the top five largest states as well as financial ability and space to place turbines.

As wind speeds are significantly greater over water than land, there are prospects of building wind turbines in the ocean to help maximize the amount of energy that can be produced and harnessed. Turbulence is also lessened over water. However, the cost to build and maintain a turbine in water is much greater than if they were built on land. At the current time, “offshore wind farms are limited to shallow water, where towers are sunk into sediments singly or with a tripod to stabilize them” Withgott & Brennan, p. 368).

As with many sources of energy, wind power comes with pros and cons. In order to make an educated decision on whether or not this type of energy source can provide value and help protect the environment or not requires people to understand the benefits and detriments. The people of Atlanta, Georgia, for example, were informed of the pros and cons regarding wind energy as a viable source and made their decision based off of the information provided to them. Given the location of the city, the industrialization of the area, and the lack of spare fields, Georgians are not yet convinced that wind energy is a viable solution for them (Keefe). However, there is growing interest in this area of renewable energy and more research needs to be conducted to figure out how to make the turbines more efficient and area friendly.

Wind has no by-product emissions once the equipment is in place. In addition, wind power is more efficient than previously relied upon resources. The return of energy versus the amount of energy that goes into producing wind energy and harnessing it is much higher, thus resulting in a higher return rate. It is believed that wind turbines create 23 times more energy than is consumed to harness that energy. An economical benefit in favor of wind energy is that those who own land can lease their property for the use of wind turbines, thus creating additional personal revenue (Withgott & Brennan).

With all of the benefits for wind energy, there are some negative avenues to explore. The main setback for the argument in favor of wind energy is that wind is not constant. Being that wind is a natural occurrence, it is impossible to have any control over how often the wind blows and how hard it blows (Cape Times). If wind used in conjunction with another type of renewable energy source then this issue is moot. The second energy source, such as hydrogen fuel for example, could store the energy that is generated by the wind and permit it to be ready for use at a later time. Also, some places on the globe are much windier than others. The Great Plains would have greater success regarding wind energy than a densely forested area. In addition, wind turbines can be costly to maintain and repair when needed. The turbines are subject to damages from birds and bats, as well as the birds and bats being damaged or even killed by the turbines (Withgott & Brennan).

“As a replacement for fossil fuel combustion in the average US utility generator, the US Environmental Protection Agency has calculated that running a 1-megawatt wind turbine for 1 year prevents the release of more than 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide, 6.5 tons of sulfur dioxide, 3.2 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 60 lbs. of mercury” (Withgott & Brennan). Looking at those numbers alone can sway most to put their energy into producing wind turbines to replace limited resource energies.

There have been many pieces of legislation put forth in encouraging and discouraging the use of alternative forms of energy. Recently, a law regarding cleaner energy won over the voters in the city of Aberdeen, South Dakota. According to the recent article written by Emily Arthur-Richardt, the city councilmen and women wish to encourage alternative eco-friendly energy, but they also wish to minimize any hindrances on the community.

Specifically speaking, wind turbines would have a height limit and noise restrictions imposed on them in order to decrease any issues with property values and inevitable noise pollution. The various areas surrounding this city would also be zoned for turbines or not, thus ensuring that not all acreage would be subject to having turbines built on them. Also, there would be set distances from highly traveled, highly populated, or frequented areas of the city in order to maintain safety of its population (Arthur-Richardt). One can conclude from the actions taken by just one city, the use of wind turbines to create and harness wind energy is a feasible, viable solution for an alternative form of renewable energy. With the right restrictions, planning, and incentives for the people who reside around them, it is possible to get community members to vote in favor of wind farms.

In summary, the only way a renewable form of energy to take root in modern culture is if the communities impacted are on board. Without the support of the population, no alternative source of energy will replace fossil fuels. Changes in how energy is produced and provided will cost money initially, however the savings will pay off long term once the preliminary costs are made. Also, there are many arguments in favor of wind energy as a viable replacement to crude oil, as much as there are arguments against it. Looking at the totality of circumstances, it is logical to conclude that the pros outweigh the cons, thus drawing the conclusion that wind turbines are a cost efficient replacement to current methodologies.

References:

Arthur-Richardt, Emily.  (29  June). Energy law approved: Wind, solar ordinance

gets final adoption. McClatchy - Tribune Business News.  Retrieved July 3, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

Cape Times. “Everyone enjoys the idea of renewable energy, but there are obvious

practical problems. A wind farm gives zero energy for, perhaps, 30 percent of the time.” (2010, July 2). Cape Times,8.  Retrieved July 4, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

CNN (August 2010). “Gulf Oil Spill is Worst Accidental Spill Ever.” CNN US. Internet:

<http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/03/gulf.oil.largest.spill/index.html>.

CNN (July 2010). “Gulf Spill Could Cost Region $22.7 Billion in Travel Dollars.” CNN

US. Internet: < http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/07/22/ gulf.oil.travel.impact/index.html>.

Crump, C. (2010). From coal to wind, energy has become cleaner, more efficient.

Crain's Detroit Business, 26(18), E54. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database.

Heim, Kristi. (2010, August 7). “Clean energy: China charges ahead of world.”

Seattle Times. Internet: <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ businesstechnology/2012565355_chinatech.html>.

Keefe, Bob.  (2010, June 28). Georgia not sold on wind energy push. The Atlanta

Journal - Constitution,p. A.1.  Retrieved July 3, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

Withgott, Jay & Scott Brennan. Essential Environment: 3^rd Ed. Pearson Custom

Publishing: San Francisco, 2009.

Survival: Currency collapse

"The New Fred Meyer  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Part two: collapse of the currency and asses resources.

Should the US currency collapse, you're going to learn a few things about resource management. I don't doubt that this. You will learn a harsh lesson in how to plan for your future, if you don't then you will fall. A secondary resource or currency won't take long to implement (or shouldn't) if your a conspiracy theorist I am sure you have already thought of some elaborate system. I assure you, none of that matters when family comes to mind. In a highly unlikely scenario that a new currency does not come quick, there are a few things you should know. All around our major cities are literally thousands of tons of material that can be scraped together to create items for bartering. Have you ever looked around at home being built the large bins of "trash." Inside these bins, are different kinds of scrap metal, fencing, and wood. Does your family rely on a wood stove for heat? You won't find a shortage look proper place. We should also note, in regards to your food that the average grocery store will be cleaned out in an emergency in about eight hours or less. There is never enough stock of food or medical supply's in a  catastrophic event or government emergency. A long time ago our grandparents and their grandparents used to can their food. So now, before anything happens might be a good idea to keep can goods stored. You don't need a can opener, all you need is a cement like service to scrape the bottom of the clockwise until you break the lid open. If you utilize your space, you should be able to store about three months of food relatively cheap and easy. Grab your coupon books pick up all the 10 cans for 10$ deals you can. These sales are happening all the time.

Lastly, if you have a home in the mountains or a resort away from the city this might be your best bet. Store your food and fuel keep your family safe and secure for about a three month period. You need more time than that it's a good idea to stock up on tools and supplies to help you gather food. Tents and other shelters can keep a family for a decent amount of time. Always remember that while you may find it easy to rely on the system, it has failed in the past. (Hurricane Katrina) you would be wise to plan out a good means to keep your family safe until the worst  part blows over. This is not meant to scare you or drive a panic, just to inform you that relying on the government to keep you safe is not a good plan. Why? Because 300,000,000+ people could also be using this same plan and that my friend is a recipe for disaster.  So invest some time, build your food storage.  Clip your coupons. Buy tents, axes , and other useful tools. Have a med kit and bug out bag ready. It's your responsibility to make sure your family is safe. Not the governments.   Food and commodities for you family is always a good investment.

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Lake resources

Sometimes I like to get down to the lake and find cubby holes or spots good for camping unnoticed. If you go completely unnoticed then odds are you can live there for a while.

Full image below click it.

US: collapse of the currency

Various Federal Reserve Notes, c.1995. Only the designs of the $1 and $2 (the latter not pictured) are still in print. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With many talks on the US debt ceiling, a good cause for concern has arisen, currency collapse.  Watching the US dollar index is a good way to keep informed. I wont be going over hard details of how a major collapse happens. In short it falls down to printing money to get out of debt or spending your way out of debt. Money in the US is printed or created digitally, what this means is that "By printing the money to pay for the bridge, and putting that money into general circulation, you have simply devalued the money in everyone else pocket to exactly the same amount as the cost of the bridge."  you can read more here. The problem is: The currency is losing value on a daily basis.  This is why you hear or see so many gold commercials. The federal reserve is creating money from nothing, the money is not backed by anything. My concern is more with how to survive in a possible currency crash. In the event of a crash or even if the US dollar index hits 70 I would suggest you have somewhere safe to move. Avoiding the major city's can keep you alive or in better health for much longer. Stores that you go to for food purchase can easily be cleaned out of food in about 8 hours. Gas stations can run empty in less. Keep in mind that the money you hold in your pocket or the credit cards would be essentially worthless in an event like this. This is not meant to scare you or start a panic, just information most people are not aware of.

Awareness can help preparedness. 

 Anytime the US dollar value goes down, commodity values go up.  People love to blame "the rich" or "evil gas corporations" but, they are not the ones devaluing the currency thus causing the prices to inflate. Remember this, if the currency collapses, the rich, if invested solely in the dollar will now be broke. Again I refer to the mass amounts of gold sales pitches you hear. Blaming the rich for being rich is not a solution. Making sure your family survives is. As a US citizen you must remember,  when dealing with our currency we are talking about Non-interest bearing debt notes. "The U.S. Constitution effectively defines "money" as gold and silver - Article I, Section 10: "No State shall make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts." The law agrees: "The terms 'lawful money' and "lawful money of the United States' shall be construed to mean gold or silver coin of the United States." (12 USC 152.) The Federal Reserve Note is not money; it is counterfeit currency. Hence receipts in Federal Reserve Notes, having no legal value, are not taxable." See this article and Section 10: Limits on the States. I recommend fully that you just read the entire US constitution. Look for part2 and how to asses resources you have and that are around you that you may be completely unaware of. Id like to thank Roger Tolces for information and an understanding of the US dollar. 


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Knowledge: The lightest thing to store and carry

P psychology (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The main concern in any survival situation is to be prepared before something happens so you can mitigate the risks. One thing that people really need to start doing more to prepare for any kind of survival or disaster situation is to learn more. I don't mean learning which stuff to pack away or which gun to carry (although these can be very important too). I'm saying people need to learn more applicable knowledge that can really help them out in an emergency situation. Too often people rely on technology and public systems to support them, and are then completely confused as to what to do when those things aren't there to help. Just think about all the different things that you could learn to provide for yourself in better ways. Would you need a GPS in hand at all times if you already knew the area like the back of your hand? Would you need to carry that book on edible plants if you were already familiar with the local plants and where to find them? There are numerous things that one could teach themselves (or take a class on) to better prepare themselves. Think of lock-picking, hunting, camping, fire making, foraging, building a shelter, social engineering, fishing, gardening, land and sea navigation, first aid, cooking, marksmanship, and self-defense as some of the helpful skills you could acquire. You could go out and find actual classes that are presented in your area or you can just learn on your own with trial and error (don't eat any suspicious plants). I'll post a few book recommendations if I find some that are helpful in this quest for knowledge.


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Don't forget to prepare your vehicle

ready.....draw! (Photo credit: Gandroid)

A lot of survivalism focuses on preparing your home and self for a disaster or SHTF situation, but some attention needs to be given to your vehicle. I'm not saying you need to go buy a badass off-roading truck to escape into the hills (unless you have the extra money...), but consider some of the following things to carry in your car/truck just in case you could need them. The most obvious would be the necessities for your vehicle. It couldn't hurt to have extra parts or tools on hand for when something breaks or wears out. These could include a spare tire (everyone should have that), spare headlight bulb, jumper cables (for if you forget that dome light), portable jack, small tool kit, and even a small gas can. I also like to keep roadside emergency supplies like flares,  a flashlight, a CB radio, quarters for a pay phone, and a charged cell phone. My vehicle emergency kit also has all the essentials to survive for 72 hours.

It may not be a bad idea to keep a weapon in your vehicle, but unfortunately for me and some others out there, it is against the law in our state to have a firearm or deadly weapon (wide open to interpretation) in your vehicle while on certain properties. It just so happens that I work at a medical clinic where it is there policy to have no firearms on campus. This does not stop me from having a few non-lethal weapons in my truck and I still carry my multi-tool as it is not usually viewed as a deadly weapon if

Female Gun Fighter (Photo credit: Gr8tFate.com - Andrew Perreault)

people see it. DO NOT try to take a multi-tool into a court house or jail though. Don't forget to keep up on your vehicle maintenance so that your vehicle will run as smoothly as possible for as long as possible if you do need to get away for an extended period of time. For the people that do off-road out there, I would suggest looking into a shovel, winch, GPS, and a satellite phone. The shovel can really save your ass if you're out in snow and need to dig down for traction. GPS is optional for most people, but you can always carry a road atlas under your seat to figure out where you're at. Basically try to be as prepared in your vehicle as you could be at home, because for at least 8-10 hours of the day I'm not at home.
If you own a website and submit to a web directory you're gonna have a good time.

Survival Food: Research and buy food wisely

A Thick Forest (Photo credit: Jon Person)

Survival and  Environmental Issues: Modern day treats

Looking at what candies contain coming from outside of the US, specifically Mexico, you will find a surprising answer. Lead. Not only do we have to worry about lead in the soil, in paint, and in toys, but also candy? According to the Orange County Register, information has been gathered that not only suggests but confirms that there are toxic levels of lead in candies, including ice-creams, imported from Mexico. According to the Register, “the California Department of Health Services has documented more than 1,500 tests of Mexican candy since 1993 – and one in four of those results has come up high for lead.” If this is the case, then why is Mexican candy still able to be imported without any changes in their production methods? Not only is Mexico permitted to produce candy laced with lead, but when California finds lead in test results they make no effort to notify the source companies. In addition, this article states that many of the lead test results were kept confidential.

Forest lake in summer (Photo credit: Axel-D)

There are many sources of lead and many ways for lead to get into candies in Mexico. The chili mills were investigated by reporters from the newspaper who wrote “Toxic Treats.” The reporters found astounding results. The “makeshift factories…where unsafe manufacturing practices are routine; to the dirt-floor poverty…where a village has become contaminated making packages for candy.” The risk is very real and the damage that has yet to come is frightening. There are many examples already. One example is a little girl named Diana. Diana often went to the ice cream truck and picked out her favorite ice cream, one from Mexico that contained lead. Like many parents, for a long time Diana’s mother did not know about dangerous levels of lead in her daughter’s favorite sweet. Diana became very ill and the lead peaked when Diana’s blood-lead level reached 25 micrograms. This is a dangerous level, especially for young children. “At 25 micrograms, lead has the potential to stunt growth, affect hearing and damage the nerves” according to research conducted by reporters for the Orange County Register. Diana’s story doesn’t stop there. It took more than two years for Diana’s blood-lead level to decrease from dangerous levels and drop to 8 micrograms. The long term effects are still not known for this young girl at age six. For Diana’s parents, and many others, these are concerns that will never be settled.

  References: McKim, Jennifer et. al. The Orange County Register. “Toxic Treats.” April 25, 2004. Internet: <http://www2.ocregister.com/investigations/2004/lead/ part1_printable.html>. Withgott, Jay & Scott Brennan. Essential Environment: 3^rd Ed. Pearson Custom Publishing: San Francisco, 2009.


 Survival Food: Research and buy food wisely survival tips modern day food. This insight was brought to you by the phrase Web Directory and it's brother Blog Directory, thank you for reading.

Understanding Environmental Issues

Petroleum-Zuid Antwerp (Photo credit: LHOON)

Environmental Issues

When will crude oil run out?

The costs of energy have been increasing since they were first explored and exploited to fulfill daily needs. Speaking specifically about crude oil, the use of this limited resource has been increasing in use and cost in the last several decades, and even quite dramatically in the last fifteen years or so. People are driving larger, less gas efficient vehicles, more technology is being produced and need additional electricity, more people travel via airplane, take cruises, sail boats, and drive for sport. Not only is the fundamental source of fuel, crude oil, a limited resource, but it is also very costly to refine it into a usable substance. The discovery process for crude oil can be a hit or miss journey. Once a source has been located, then the drilling begins. The equipment is expensive and so is the labor. And, as we have seen in recent weeks, the costs of any and all “accidents” are also financially, and environmentally, costly. 


  So now it has been established that the main source of fuel in the current world is limited and costly, it is imperative to understand why the search for an alternative renewable source of energy is imminent and much needed. Many different sources of renewable energy have been explored, but none have fully taken root in the United States. Other countries, such as China, have taken an interest in some of the technologies discovered and harnessed here in the US. According to one American business owner “many of these technologies were invented in the U.S., but they have since migrated overseas because there has never been much of a market in the U.S.” (Heim). This could very well be what separates the “thinkers” and the “doers” in regards to implementing a mainstream renewable energy source. According to the recent Shanghai Expo, China is displaying a very competitive edge in regards to a clean energy source. “Environmental disasters and China’s reputation as a prime polluter have driven some of that urgency” (Heim). China has become the world’s largest consumer of energy as well as the largest carbon emissions location in the world. 

Petroleum-Zuid Antwerp (Photo credit: LHOON)

As a result of these facts, China is looking at new ways to get ahead of the game by investing large sums of money into eco-friendly renewable energy sources. One question many people have is why is a new source of energy needed? The first thing that comes to mind is that gasoline prices have skyrocketed in the last several years, which has been costly to many individuals as well as countries. In addition, crude oil is not a renewable source of energy. There is only so much oil on earth and it is being used at a much faster rate than it is being formed. Also, the current main source of energy is very environmentally unfriendly. There are many pollutants that are caused by the current source of energy that can be eliminated if the primary source of energy is changed (Crump). There are many risks associated with the locating, drilling, manufacturing, and use of crude oil. One of the current media frenzies surrounding crude oil is the Gulf Coast oil leak. According to CNN, the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill has released 4.9 million barrels of oil into the gulf coast region and only 3.3 million gallons have been recovered. The costs to BP are drastic however the economic impact to those who reside in this region will suffer more. The entire gulf coast relies on fishing, crabbing, oysters, recreational tourism, and other sources of monetary revenue. It is expected for the negative impact of the oil spill to impact this area for approximately the next three years. According to studies collected by CNN, the tourism travel source of revenue is estimated to be $7.6 billion within the next fifteen months. In searching for a new source of energy there are many factors that must be requirements. The replacement source of energy must be renewable. In order for the new source of energy to be a benefit, it must be able to be renewed and not a finite source. 


The new main source of energy must also be eco-friendly. The main reason why a new source of energy is being searched for is because the source of energy currently used, crude oil, is harmful to the environment. Looking for a replacement must have improvements, including being environmentally friendly. This also means that there must be minimal or zero pollutants as a result. If the renewable energy creates byproducts that are harmful to the environment, then it is pointless and counter productive to utilize that source. The new energy source must also be effective and reliable. If the new source cannot be relied upon to be consistent and effective in its delivery, it is not a viable substitute to what is already being used. And last, but not least, the replacement source of energy must be cost efficient. Part of the problem with crude oil is that it is far too costly to continue to maintain. Not only is it finite in its availability, but it is also very costly environmentally and financially. The byproducts created by processing crude oil causes harm to the environment and the cost of manufacturing the oil and transporting it harms the pocketbook. 

Renewable Energy (Photo credit: SEDACMaps)

There are many alternative methods to fuel today’s modern world. Some of the more popular renewable sources include hydro-electric power, wind power, all electric power, and solar power. Hydro-electric power offers a multitude of benefits including cost-efficiency and eco-friendliness, however not all geographical set-ups have fast enough running water to utilize this potential resource. Wind fueled electricity is cost efficient and wind is available all over the world. However, not all areas are suitable for building wind turbines on them. Converting to all-electric power requires an initial power supply. Essentially, switching to an “all-electric” source of energy requires it to be coupled with another source of energy in order to make it work. It is far too reliant on another component. And last but not least, solar power is very popular in eco-friendly conversations. Solar panels are quite costly in the onset of setting up solar energy as a renewable source however it pays off in the long run. Also, there are some areas on the globe that are not viable places for this type of renewable energy, such as far north and far south on the globe due to shortened daylight hours (Withgott & Brennan). 


Wind power utilizes kinetic energy that is then converted into electrical energy, which can be used as a replacement to nonrenewable sources of energy. The use of wind power is dramatically increasing across the world. Germany, the United States, and Spain account for more than half of the world’s wind energy usage. Denmark is the leader in wind power output with 20% of power supplies coming directly from wind turbines. (Withgott & Brennan). Within the US, both California and Texas produce the majority of wind energy. This could be because both Texas and California are amongst the top five largest states as well as financial ability and space to place turbines. As wind speeds are significantly greater over water than land, there are prospects of building wind turbines in the ocean to help maximize the amount of energy that can be produced and harnessed. Turbulence is also lessened over water. However, the cost to build and maintain a turbine in water is much greater than if they were built on land. At the current time, “offshore wind farms are limited to shallow water, where towers are sunk into sediments singly or with a tripod to stabilize them” Withgott & Brennan, p. 368. As with many sources of energy, wind power comes with pros and cons. In order to make an educated decision on whether or not this type of energy source can provide value and help protect the environment or not requires people to understand the benefits and detriments. The people of Atlanta, Georgia, for example, were informed of the pros and cons regarding wind energy as a viable source and made their decision based off of the information provided to them. Given the location of the city, the industrialization of the area, and the lack of spare fields, Georgians are not yet convinced that wind energy is a viable solution for them (Keefe). 

Renewable Energy For The Earth ? Abstract Art (Photo credit: bterrycompton)

However, there is growing interest in this area of renewable energy and more research needs to be conducted to figure out how to make the turbines more efficient and area friendly. Wind has no by-product emissions once the equipment is in place. In addition, wind power is more efficient than previously relied upon resources. The return of energy versus the amount of energy that goes into producing wind energy and harnessing it is much higher, thus resulting in a higher return rate. It is believed that wind turbines create 23 times more energy than is consumed to harness that energy. An economical benefit in favor of wind energy is that those who own land can lease their property for the use of wind turbines, thus creating additional personal revenue (Withgott & Brennan). With all of the benefits for wind energy, there are some negative avenues to explore. The main setback for the argument in favor of wind energy is that wind is not constant. Being that wind is a natural occurrence, it is impossible to have any control over how often the wind blows and how hard it blows (Cape Times). If wind used in conjunction with another type of renewable energy source then this issue is moot. The second energy source, such as hydrogen fuel for example, could store the energy that is generated by the wind and permit it to be ready for use at a later time. Also, some places on the globe are much windier than others. The Great Plains would have greater success regarding wind energy than a densely forested area. In addition, wind turbines can be costly to maintain and repair when needed. The turbines are subject to damages from birds and bats, as well as the birds and bats being damaged or even killed by the turbines (Withgott & Brennan). “As a replacement for fossil fuel combustion in the average US utility generator, the US Environmental Protection Agency has calculated that running a 1-megawatt wind turbine for 1 year prevents the release of more than 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide, 6.5 tons of sulfur dioxide, 3.2 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 60 lbs. of mercury” (Withgott & Brennan). Looking at those numbers alone can sway most to put their energy into producing wind turbines to replace limited resource energies. There have been many pieces of legislation put forth in encouraging and discouraging the use of alternative forms of energy. Recently, a law regarding cleaner energy won over the voters in the city of Aberdeen, South Dakota. According to the recent article written by Emily Arthur-Richardt, the city councilmen and women wish to encourage alternative eco-friendly energy, but they also wish to minimize any hindrances on the community. Specifically speaking, wind turbines would have a height limit and noise restrictions imposed on them in order to decrease any issues with property values and inevitable noise pollution. The various areas surrounding this city would also be zoned for turbines or not, thus ensuring that not all acreage would be subject to having turbines built on them. Also, there would be set distances from highly traveled, highly populated, or frequented areas of the city in order to maintain safety of its population (Arthur-Richardt). One can conclude from the actions taken by just one city, the use of wind turbines to create and harness wind energy is a feasible, viable solution for an alternative form of renewable energy. With the right restrictions, planning, and incentives for the people who reside around them, it is possible to get community members to vote in favor of wind farms. In summary, the only way a renewable form of energy to take root in modern culture is if the communities impacted are on board. Without the support of the population, no alternative source of energy will replace fossil fuels. 

English: a collage about renewable energy. see at the source images' descriptions for details. Euskara: Energia berriztagarriak (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Changes in how energy is produced and provided will cost money initially, however the savings will pay off long term once the preliminary costs are made. Also, there are many arguments in favor of wind energy as a viable replacement to crude oil, as much as there are arguments against it. Looking at the totality of circumstances, it is logical to conclude that the pros outweigh the cons, thus drawing the conclusion that wind turbines are a cost efficient replacement to current methodologies.   References: Arthur-Richardt, Emily.  (29  June). Energy law approved: Wind, solar ordinance gets final adoption. McClatchy - Tribune Business News.  Retrieved July 3, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. Cape Times. “Everyone enjoys the idea of renewable energy, but there are obvious practical problems. A wind farm gives zero energy for, perhaps, 30 percent of the time.” (2010, July 2). Cape Times,8.  Retrieved July 4, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. CNN (August 2010). “Gulf Oil Spill is Worst Accidental Spill Ever.” CNN US. Internet: <http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/03/gulf.oil.largest.spill/index.html>. CNN (July 2010). “Gulf Spill Could Cost Region $22.7 Billion in Travel Dollars.” CNN US. Internet: < http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/07/22/ gulf.oil.travel.impact/index.html>. Crump, C. (2010). From coal to wind, energy has become cleaner, more efficient. Crain's Detroit Business, 26(18), E54. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database. Heim, Kristi. (2010, August 7). “Clean energy: China charges ahead of world.” Seattle Times. Internet: <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ businesstechnology/2012565355_chinatech.html>. Keefe, Bob.  (2010, June 28). Georgia not sold on wind energy push. The Atlanta Journal - Constitution,p. A.1.  Retrieved July 3, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. Withgott, Jay & Scott Brennan. Essential Environment: 3^rd Ed. Pearson Custom Publishing: San Francisco, 2009.

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Clinton administration the roadless rule

Colorado Meadows (Photo credit: QualityFrog)

Environmental Issues

How can the government impair your ability to survive?

In 2001 during the Clinton administration, the roadless rule was implemented protecting 58.5 million acres of land. The roadless rule prevented an additional road construction or maintenance on the specified land. The land consisted of national forest land as well as general US land in several states, including California, Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico. The roadless rule was publicly supported by 4.2 million people however the Bush administration overturned this legislation. Federal judges reinstated this legislation in 2007 although this issue is still going through legal channels (Withgott & Brennan).

The roadless rule impacts many states, including Colorado. The state of Colorado has a $10 billion annual income from outdoor recreation. Colorado received $500 million in state tax revenue and 107,000 jobs are created as a result of outdoor recreational activity. This way of life supports the state’s economy. However, the roadless rule is not welcome in Colorado. According to the Denver Post, the roadless rule is not “good enough.” The rule that is geared at protecting the natural land in Colorado does not provide any long-term care of the land. Although this legislation does prevent further construction on the land, it does not provide any long-term maintenance that will ensure the current roads will be in safe condition for the use of people attending recreational events and activities. The roadless rule also does not provide protection for communities from wildfires (Abel & Robinson).

Colorado Sky (Photo credit: Let Ideas Compete)

While Colorado does not believe the roadless rule protects the best interests of the recreation economy in Colorado, the President agrees with environmental agencies that firmly believe that this legislation is more beneficial than detrimental. The Obama administration has continued to push forth the benefits of the roadless rule, which “prohibit[s] commercial logging, mining, drilling, and road-building on about 58 million acres of national forests, including 4 million acres in Colorado” ( Harmon). The environmental agencies welcome the support of the Obama administration and are grateful for the assistance in maintaining this legislation against scrutiny.

There are pros and cons for whether this legislation remains in effect or is successfully repealed. The roadless rule prevents further building on designated land, but does not provide maintenance on existing roads on the land. This, as in the case with Colorado, can be detrimental to state revenue that is earned from recreation in these national forests. On the other hand, the roadless rule prevents companies from building more roads or buildings on this land, thus preserving the land as it currently is.

References:

Gary Harmon/Grand Junction.  (2009, August 14). President sides with

environmentalists to reinstate roadless rule. Daily Sentinel.  Retrieved July 18, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 1830838501).

Mike Van Abel, & Brady Robinson. (2010, June 20). Roadless Rule Not Good

Enough. Denver Post,p. D.4.  Retrieved July 18, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 2063073791).

Withgott, Jay & Scott Brennan. Essential Environment: 3^rd Ed. Pearson Custom

Publishing: San Francisco, 2009.