| Alternative Energy |
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Alternative energy is usable energy derived from replenish able sources such as the sun (solar energy), wind (wind power), rivers (hydroelectric power), hot springs (geothermal energy) and many more. World’s energy supply was derived from fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are finite resources. Fossil fuel combustion has a number of negative environmental consequences. Fossil-fueled power plants emit air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and toxic chemicals (heavy metals: mercury, chromium, and arsenic), and mobile sources, such as fossil-fueled vehicles, emit nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Exposure to these pollutants can cause heart disease, asthma, and other human health problems. In addition, emissions from fossil fuel combustion are responsible for acid rain, which has led to the acidification of many lakes and consequent damage to aquatic life, leaf damage in many forests, and the production of smog in or near many urban areas. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the main greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Alternative energy is normally produced by harnessing the natural world around us and the elements. Usually it does not create pollution in the atmosphere or at least it only produces small amounts. At present alternative energy only provides us with small amounts of electrical power and much investment is required to increase the amount of electricity produced in this more natural way. The use of conventional technology to produce electrical power normally results in pollution that affects everyone. It often relies on the burning of fossil fuels that produce dangerous gases that often end up in the atmosphere. Common people and companies are looking for alternative sources of energy for fulfilling their needs that don’t leave a heavy carbon footprint for the present and future generations. We can derive non conventional energy from wind, water, sun or earth (geothermal).
Many countries today are in agreement to work together to end the restriction of trade and to raise the two – sided trade between countries. Brazil as the leading country in using and producing ethanol is using sugarcane as their staple food or source. Philippines is a country that sugarcane is the main crops is still on the process in mounting their campaign on bioethanol. Philippines pass a law that mandates the mixing of biofuels to the gasoline and diesel being sold at retail pumps. Since bioethanol is produced from agricultural crops such as sugarcane, cassava or corn, any CO2 release due to ethanol use in transport is neutralized by the source plants’ natural uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere. This is more widely known through its technical terminology of a neutral or closed — carbon loop, and the environmental benefits are evaluated from a total life-cycle perspective or from "well-to-wheels." |
