Abstract
The paper discusses how the use of fossil fuels is a threat to sustainability if current usage patterns continue to harm the environment and rely on an uncertain long-term supply. The paper looks at the use of coal and relates that there is an increased potential to exploit this abundant resource in a manner that is sustainable, produces minimal harm to the environment and meets growing energy demands until non fossil fuel energy resources can be developed. The paper discusses potential source material for this research.

Outline:
The Potential of Coal for Meeting Future Energy Needs
Research Guide: Probing the Issue
Potential Biases: Navigating Personal Values and Issues
Potential Source Material for This Research

From the Paper
"One of the most significant environmental issues affecting long-term sustainability is the world's extensive energy use. Despite claims that the world is dependent on oil, the situation is much more pervasive than that. In fact, modern societies are entirely dependent on energy. Fossil fuels are one of the most effective energy resources that civilization currently exploits. Technology and infrastructure for utilizing these resources are far more extensive than for any other kind of energy resource, currently making fossil fuels the preferred choice."

Tags:fossil, fuels, resources, sustainability, technology, infrastructure

Abstract
This paper begins with a description of the appearance and composition of coal and then takes a look at the history of coal as an energy source. The paper also discusses the negative effects of using coal as an energy source, explains how coal is mined, looks at the use and mining of coal from an economic perspective and looks at the advantages of using coal as an energy source.

From the Paper
"Man has always aimed to acquire a fuel source that would be beneficial for the community. One such fuel that man stumbled upon was coal. "Coal has been used for heating since the cave man" (A Brief History of Coal Use). There are two types of mining that take place in order to acquire coal. One is an underground mining and the other being an open-pit mining. Coal is a sedimentary rock that is black or brownish black in color. Primarily it is composed of carbon and has many other elements in it including sulfur. The formation of coal is also a highly interesting procedure and it is formed from the remains of the plants that have been chemically altered, hardened, compacted as well as metamorphosed by pressure and heat over geologic time. There are four types of coal depending on the length of time they have been exposed to the geological processes. The lowest quality of coal is 'Lignite' which is also at times referred to as brown coal. Its use is exclusively reserved as fuel for steam-electric power. A compact form of lignite which is polished is known as 'Jet' and its use since the Iron Age has been as an ornament. The next level up is the 'Sub-bituminous' coal and its properties range from lignite to bituminous coal. Its primary purpose is the same as that of lignite. 'Bituminous' is normally black in color and is a dense coal. Apart from being used as fuel in steam-electric power generation, it is also used for heat and power applications in order to make coke. The highest quality coal is 'Anthracite' and it is used primarily for space heating in residential as well as commercial uses."

Tags:mined, expansion, industry, warm, hoams, drive, railways, steamships, power, factories

Abstract
This paper assesses the costs and benefits to the environment of using nuclear energy. The paper explains that while theoretically nuclear energy is a clean, effective, efficient and almost inexhaustible form of power, public opinion is widely opposed to its usage. However, the author of this paper maintains that that opposition is based on misinformation. The paper explains the process of creating and harnessing nuclear energy, showing how it is nearly identical -- save the source of the heat -- to that used by geothermal energy plants and many coal-burning plants. The paper further demonstrates that nuclear energy is actually the safest, most environmentally-sound energy option and concludes that more should be done to support its adoption as America's primary sustainable energy source.

From the Paper
"The public's apprehensive assessment of nuclear power remains its most serious obstacle. Although disasters and fatalities have been fairly limited, the potential for catastrophe is not overlooked by anyone. The Three Mile Island disaster seems to be burned into public perception regarding any discussion of nuclear energy (Beder, 224-5). Additionally, radioactive nuclear waste cannot be dumped back into the environment: it remains dangerous for thousands of years. As a consequence, collecting, relocating, and storing this waste presents environmental risks that most other energy resources are not associated with. Naturally, if proper precautions are taken and no mishaps occur; nuclear power is perhaps the most cost effective, cleanest, safest, and sustainable form of energy society has to offer. However, all rests upon its appropriate handling and the public's trust in its distributors."

Tags:energy, recycling, sustainable, global, warming, nuclear, coal, feul, environmentalism, power

Abstract
The paper states that, in light of the effects of global warming,
it presents the case for alternative energy sources, which are becoming popular. both because they do not contribute greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and also because they are less expensive for the most part than electricity produced by coal, oil and gas. The paper reviews the positives and the negatives for wind energy, and discusses in depth the reasons why solar energy and biomass energy sources are very attractive and offer consumers practical ways to spend less on heating and cooling homes.

Outline:
Wind Energy
Problems with Windmills
Biomass
Solar Energy
Passive Solar
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), among the most visible and powerful advocacy and conservation organizations in the U.S. (www.nrdc.org), explains that currently California has the most wind power generation in America. Texas ranks second on the list of states with wind power, with "about half" of the wind plants that California has. The good news for consumers is that the cost of wind energy now is competitive with new coal-fired or gas-fired power plants, NRDC reports. Indeed the cost of wind energy has come down "85 percent in the past 20 years," according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Wind of course is free, and it blows significantly, consistently, hard enough to turn rotors of windmills and produce reliable electricity in about one-fourth of the land area of the U.S., the UCS explains. The NRDC points out that windmills can be built "in a fraction of the time it takes to construct coal or natural gas power plants." Moreover, it takes just three to eight months for a windmill farm to "recoup its investment in building and installation" (NRDC). Why are windmill farms needed? About 68% of the energy produced in the U.S. today, the NRDC explains, comes from "burning polluting fossil fuels." Nuclear power plants and hydropower produce the rest, "with only a fraction coming from clean, renewable sources such as the wind, the sun, underground steam and biomass." But in 15 states laws have been passed that require power companies to produce "a percentage of electricity from renewable sources." In some states, like Texas for example, consumers can choose "Green Pricing" on their utility bills; that means the electricity that family uses will be exclusively from wind power, or other renewable sources. Meanwhile, in some countries, like Denmark, windmills have been put to use in massive numbers. According to the magazine www.Scandinavica.com, fully 20% of all the electricity in Denmark comes from wind energy."

Tags:natural, resources, conservation, organization, wind, power, generation, energy

Abstract
A discussion regarding the world's current dependence upon fossil fuels as the primary source of energy. The paper discusses other alternative types of energy such as wind power, solar power, nuclear power and natural gas.

From the Paper
"Safe, efficient, reliable, and less environmentally damaging than traditional energy resources, natural gas is generally perceived as the most likely choice for the near future. Natural gas utilizes both a steam and gas cycle to generate power, and therefore, releases far fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than coal or oil. But, "Even though air pollution concerns are much lower with gas fired plants, there are other environmental concerns including water use and water pollution. Combined cycle plants use about 10 million gallons of water per day, consuming 7 million and putting 3 million gallons back into nearby rivers," (Power Frontiers). Nevertheless, natural gas does contribute to global warming--less so than other methods but more so than nuclear energy. Both are comparably cheap and sustainable, but natural gas is considered to be safer to the public. All things considered, natural gas is economically viable, relatively safe, relatively clean, and sustainable: it poses the most realistic option for electric companies with its most serious competition coming from coal, and perhaps, nuclear power."

Tags:oil, coal, electricity, transportation, petroleum, petrol

Abstract
This paper examines the phenomenon of energy subsidies and how they have had an effect on society. From giving the companies the influence they need to push drilling legislation to effects on world hunger, energy subsidies have been problematic for the ecology of this nation as well as the world; they have been a distorting force in the market place and have been detrimental to the social condition of this planet. From the pressures to drill ANWR to Third World poverty, energy subsidies have created a superpower out of the resource lobby. The various consequences of the subsidies are chronicled, and several solutions are also presented.

From the Paper
"In order to deal with the transition to more renewable sources and a more efficient economy, there is no reason why those who are "environmentally virtuous" should not be rewarded. Belgium has cut sales taxes for energy saving devices by 2/3 of the original amount and conversely has made those who drive inefficient vehicles pay more in road taxes. Denmark and Norway have also tied vehicle size to the amount of taxes paid on them. The best part of this plan is that does not change the amount of taxes paid and does not change a given nations position, meaning that it can be done with only that one nation's interest in mind."

Tags:coal, gas, nuclear, oil, BP, petrol

Abstract
The paper considers the concerns dams present to the environment and discusses how in the United States, state and federal agencies are able to place conditions on dam licenses, including protections for the environment and other interests. The paper looks at how technology is improving the mechanics of providing hydropower and describes the risks in the event of a dam failure. The paper also relates how canals and rivers can be adapted to create electricity, and how countries with ocean coastlines may be able to harness power from the tides. The paper notes the advantages of hydropower over oil or coal and asserts that it can become a viable alternate energy source.

From the Paper
"Water, like wind, has been used throughout history. The ancient Greeks used it to power gristmills for grinding wheat into flour. Flowing water creates energy that can be captured and turned into electricity. This is called hydroelectric power, or hydropower. Nigel Hawkes tells us worldwide, hydropower plants produce about twenty-four percent of the world's electricity and supply more than one billion people with power. The world's hydropower plants output a combined total of 675,000 megawatts, the energy equivalent of 3.6 billion barrels of oil. Hydroelectric power can be a cleaner alternate energy source as oil supplies become costly and scarce."

Tags:water, wind, electricity, energy, oil, dams, tides, reservoirs

Abstract
The writer of this paper explores the negative effects and consequences of the recent population explosion, which include overcrowding, hunger, pollution, deforestation, global warming, crime and the loss of nature's bio diversity. One of the biggest obstacles, due to the increase in the population, is the depletion of the world's fossil fuel resources. The writer stresses the need for stricter environmental guidelines as well as birth rate control regulations. This paper defines the earth's depleting fossil fuel as a broad term for three sources of energy: Petroleum, natural gas and coal. All three were formed millions of years ago during the age of dinosaurs, hence the name fossil fuels. The energy comes from decomposed plant and animal matter. Once these fuels are depleted they cannot be renewed. This paper examines the benefits to the environment in utilizing renewable energy as an alternative to the earth's dwindling fossil fuel reserves. The paper also details various environmentally sound strategies that would aid in preserving the earth's remaining resources.

From the Paper
"Fossil fuel is a broad term for three sources of energy: petroleum, natural gas, and coal. All three were formed millions of years ago during the age of dinosaurs-hence the name fossil fuels. The energy comes from decomposed plant and animal matter. Energy Quest, a major educational service on the World Wide Web describes the origin of fossil fuels: When plants and dinosaurs and other ancient creatures died, they decomposed and became buried, layer upon layer under the ground. It took millions of years to form these layers into a hard, black colored rock-like substance called coal; a thick liquid called oil or petroleum, and natural gas. Petroleum and natural gas are extracted from deep deposits below the Earth's surface."

Tags:energy, sun, population, pollution, environment, sun, fuel, coal

Abstract
This paper takes a look at oil as a finite energy source. The paper discusses the need to find alternate energy resources of both renewable and non renewable natures. The paper reviews the different sources currently available like hydropower, solar energy, thermal energy, nuclear energy, coal.

Outline:
Thesis Statement
Introduction
Background
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Alternatives: The drawbacks in bio diesels made environmentalist concentrate on cheap and easy to make eco fuels. Eco- fuels are touted as the free energy that is not only renewable but is also harmless for the environment as they do not cause any emissions. These eco fuels can generally be made and stored at home meaning that consumer just by incurring some cost on machines and systems can fulfill their energy needs. Today technology can be used to make convert simple products like turds into methane. Some of these technologies require only some efforts on consumers' parts as they are mostly do-it-yourself ventures. There are methods available that make use of hydrogen per oxide to increase the fuel efficiency of the engines of the vehicles. Not only vehicles can be run but using these eco fuels home heating and cooling and power production can also be done. Even alcohol can be used to heat up homes and to cook food. There are organizations and individuals working for the cause and they have developed different easy to implement techniques and methods to use cheap and easily available materials to fulfill different energy needs."

Tags:solar, power, vegetable, oil, turds, wood, hydrogen, environment, pipeline

Abstract
Fossil fuels are heavily relied upon by the U.S. for energy needs. The three most common forms of fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. This paper argues that, although fossil fuels are a major source of energy, newer and cleaner forms of energy such as wind, solar, and water are needed if we are to stop the damage being done to the environment and further strengthen the United States' energy security. The paper describes the types of alternative fuels that can be harnessed and how we benefit by using them as well as looks at the problems created by continued dependence on fossil fuels. The paper concludes that by making a strong effort made toward advancing the technologies for developing alternative fuels, lessening fossil fuel use and strengthening US energy security is a very attainable goal.

From the Paper
"Currently the most viable of all alternative, renewable energy sources is hydropower. Hydropower is the process of harnessing the flow of water to produce electricity, better known as hydroelectricity. Just like concentrating solar power plants, hydroelectricity power plants turn turbines to generate electricity; the difference is instead of using steam to turn the turbines, falling water is used to turn them (U.S. Geological Survey, 2008). In this process a dam is built on a large river with a large drop in elevation to store the water, providing a mass of potential energy. When electricity is needed the dam releases the water through a passageway, which flows downward, turning a turbine connected to a generator as it flows to an intake river (Childress, 2009). "

Tags:hydropower, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectricity