One problem caused by the lack of sustainable energy is pollution from non-sustainable energy, such as natural gas and oil. The major non-preventable pollution caused by natural gas is air pollution, with gas wells from a single county in Colorado causing emissions equivalent to 1-3 million cars. Natural gas can also have effects on local water sources, but these can be prevented by placement of the wells and proper chemical disposal. The EPA also supports the idea that non-sustainable energy causes pollution, as their research shows that oil wells emit methane, which is a greenhouse gas.
Air pollution from natural gas impacts the earth greatly, with their emissions adding to greenhouse gases. This, along with greenhouse gases from oil wells contributes to global warming. These two types of energy are only part of all of the pollution being caused by various fossil fuels. The usage of non-sustainable energy has been happening for too long, and needs to be brought to an end. |
A problem that is currently causing the lack of sustainable energy is the difficulty in transitioning between fossil fuels and renewable forms of energy. According to Peter Garforth, “factory sites have boilers, furnaces, emergency generators, compressors and distribution networks for electricity, heat, cooling, steam, gas and compressed air; in fact, a complex multi-utility.” This makes it extremely difficult to make a swift transition to renewable energy in factories. Professor John Vohs agrees that renewable energy is “a worthy goal and we might ultimately get there, but it’s going to take a long time.”
With this slow transition being predicted by experts, more pollution is going to occur in the time it takes to incorporate renewable energy into the current fossil fuel focused infrastructure. This slow transition also means renewable energy will cost more to get going, which means many energy companies will be hesitant to switch to renewable energy. Having a different type of energy to help this transition along would be the best first step in changing to sustainable energy. |