Plans for the future: Our major sources of energy are very efficient, but not all of them are renewable or able to be replenished.
Using more solar, nuclear, wind, and geothermal in the future would be very beneficial for the environment in the long run. These sources have few factors that impact the environment negatively.
The worst part about solar and wind energy is probably the machines used to put up the solar panels and wind turbines. Nuclear has waste and it will build up over time, but if it becomes better developed, it could essentially be an unlimited source of energy by using nuclear fusion. Biomass releases about the same carbon dioxide as burning fossil fuels but it is more efficient than that.
Solar energy is the least used source. Though using solar energy is very beneficial, it isn't as cost effective; Solar panels are costly.
Oil is among the biggest sources of energy in the world. It is efficient and it was found in large quantities but is slowly diminishing.
Although oil is among the top used resource, coal is the most used source of energy in the world. Coal is used for about 37% of the United States' energy.
Biomass is seldom used. It only makes up .5% of the energy produced in the U.S.. The demand is likely to increase monumentally by 2030. It contributes less to climate damage as well.
Geothermal is also seldom used because of the cost to build up units. Yes, it is very expensive, but it is very effective and could pay off very early. It is the source for only .38% of the United States' energy, but could potentially grow in the near future.
Wind is about the most environmentally safe source of energy out there. As of now, the United States only produces about 3% of our energy from harnessing the wind. Wind is never going to stop and they may be expensive but they are a great back-up when all of the other sources are even more expensive. The only downside for people is the shadows cast off from the blade that could trigger a seizure if a person has epilepsy.
Water is a very efficient source of energy. Water is domestic and in abundance, although it is slowly diminishing. Damming rivers is detrimental to the water supplies, though. Hydro energy does contribute 6.75% of the United States' energy.
The energy from natural gases comes in second for the most used source of energy. It follows behind coal, contributing just over 30% of the energy in the United States. Natural gases are effective and less harmful to the environment, but they are of limited supply and most of the supply is imported from foreign countries.
Nuclear energy contributes about 19% of the energy in the United Sates. Although it would be very efficient if it was better developed, people are scared of the worst case scenario. If the plants were to be better developed, the chances of a nuclear meltdown are slim to none.
What we use it for:
Solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal, and wind are the minor sources of energy. They don't have a very "set in stone" purpose. They are more so used for a basic energy where they are produced.
Oil's biggest use demands are for transportation and industrial used. 71% of oil is used for transportation.
Coal is used mainly for industrial and electric power but the demand sector is for residential and commercial uses.
Natural Gases are used mostly for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. The biggest demand sector is for industrial uses. A good portion of the energy is used for pure electric power as well.
The United States should start to promote solar, wind, nuclear, and geothermal energy. We could start to make the switch to more efficient sources of energy and lessen, or even eliminate, the use of harmful and nonrenewable products such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Putting laws in effect in the future to limit or outlaw the use of those sources would be very beneficial to the United States. The idea of making these changes is to improve our environment, isn't it? The change could take up to a few decades, but the reward in the end would be clean energy with minimal damage. The new sources of energy would be costly in the beginning, but would soon after pay off.