As time passes and pollution becomes a larger and larger worldwide concern, we are all becoming more aware of the need to wean ourselves off our dependency on fossil fuels. But the fact that using oil, coal, etc., harms the environment isn't the only concern to keep in mind. In reality, our dependency on fossil fuels also does damage in a very practical way-- it leeches money away from our own economies.
In the year 2008, for every single person in America (that is, every man, woman, and child), $40 daily will be sent overseas to oil-producing countries. That $40 a day comes out to $500,000,000,000 per year sent to feed the economies of oil-producing countries... and this is just in America alone. A similar fossil fuel dependency is seen all over the world.
But what, exactly, are fossil fuels? Fossil fuels, which come in the form of oil, coal, and natural gas, are hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are formed when the remains of ancient fossilized plants and animals are exposed to massive heat and pressure over millions of years. Solid hydrocarbons, or coal, are probably the earliest fossil fuels ever used by man, dating back to the 1600s. And while coal is widely used today, both natural gas and especially oil, liquid hydrocarbons which were discovered seeping to the Earth's surface as they escaped through cracks in the planet's crust, are the main culprits in the world's fossil fuel dependency.
In the U.S., 65% of our electricity and close to 100% of our transportation energy comes from fossil fuel sources. This creates a major drain on our wallets, as well as creates pollution that, no matter your thoughts on global warming, is more than a little worrying. Fortunately, the Earth has the resources to allow the global community to climb free of fossil fuel dependency. It's just a matter of putting in the effort.
"A Solar Grand Plan"
One of the most talked-about methods for pulling the country out of its dependency on fossil fuels is called the "Solar Grand Plan." In this plan, energy producers would take large swaths of land in the American Southwest (specifically Arizona) and turn this area into the "Persian Gulf of solar power." According to scientists, solar power could provide 65% of the country's electricity by 2050.
Alternative Energy Vehicles
In addition to providing clean power to our homes and businesses, alternative fueling for our vehicles is hugely important in climbing out of our fossil fuel dependency. After all, it's gasoline to power our cars, trucks, and airplanes that creates most of our pollution in the first place.
There are a variety of alternative fuel products and designs available for today's vehicles, with new ones being introduced to the market all the time. Some of the alternative fuels seeing limited-to-wide usage are biodiesel, electricity, hydrogen, and ethanol. Hybrid vehicle designs are slowly being introduced into the market, which combine traditional fossil fuels with alternative energy sources like ethanol and electricity. And while biodiesel hasn't yet been approved for everyday consumers, this fuel, which is created from oils and animal fat, including old cooking oils and grease (though most biodiesel is made with soybean oil), is showing great promise in the military and commercial sectors.
Living Greener
Another very simple way to begin the climb out of fossil fuel dependency is to make small personal efforts. Living greener entails using fuel efficient vehicles, reducing the distance and frequency of your driving, and conserving energy. While many people go as far as using green home building or sustainable designs to reduce the amount of energy needed to fuel their homes, you can also put green methods into place in your existing home. Hang the laundry instead of using the dryer. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Don't freeze yourself in front of the air conditioner.
In the end, whether or not our country is able to climb its way out of this fossil fuel dependency is going to depend on the dedication of its citizens. If we are dedicated to finding new ways to fuel our lives, there's no reason why we shouldn't see a significant reduction in our fossil fuel usage in 2050 and beyond.
