http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/323Submitted by Matt Kallman
PICTURE: Former vice president Al Gore makes a speech on his challenge to do what is called "Repower America."
SUMMARY: Former vice president Al Gore made a speech in Washington to talk of his challenge "Repower America." He wants the whole U.S. to move from using the electricity sector to wind, geothermal, and solar in about 10 years or so. He says that since prices of fossil fuels and such resources are increasing, we should switch to affordable eco friendly ways for power. 90 percent of the electricity in the United States is provided by fossil fuels. Already the use of fossil fuels have been picking up speed of polluting the planet. We must build and spread infastructures to areas like the southwest
For some reason it cut off some of my work so here is the rest after it says southwest...
ReplyDeletewhere the sun shines brightly (solar power) or the midwest wear wind blows (wind power). He says that 10 years should be a long enough time period to get down to business to the goal of becoming a carbon free electricity generation.
OPINION/REFLECTION: This sounds like a very challenging goal to reach but I think that if we get the message out to enough people in the United States then we can definitly make it happen. We have to start soon or else we will dig ourselves in a hole that is too deep to get out of. Fossil fuels have been hurting the planet and switching to alternative fuels all over the nation in ten years would really help the environment. I am surprised that we have not tried to make a goal like this publicly. There have been small counts of cutting down on certain sources but we really need to alert the people. If we cannot make an effort to make the earth healthy now then our next generation will have even worse problems.
QUESTIONS:
1) Do you think that this would be costly? Why or why not?
2) Do you believe that we could achieve the goal of only using zero carbon sources (wind, water, sun, etc.)?
3) How can we contribute to get to the overall goal of this challenge?
4) If you were to alert the public in one way about this goal, how would you do it and what would you say?
Opinion/Reflection: I think that is a great goal because it is eco friendly and it will help with our economy and make power more affordable. This will be very hard and will take a long time for it happen. I'm surprised we haven't started to do this because fossil fuels are really hurting our environment. A connection I made with this is that in class I remember when we were learning about pollution and fossil fuels is a big part of pollution.
ReplyDeleteAnswers to Some Questions:
1. I think it would be costly at first, but I think it would start to save money over time.
2. Yes I think we could achieve the goal if everybody pitched in and if we started soon before our situation gets worse.
Other Questions:
1. How can we get everybody to take action in this goal?
2. What ways will our economy and community benefit from this goal?
3. Do you think this goal could ever be accomplished?
Opinion/Reflection: I think this is a great idea! The 90% of our energy is coming from fossil fuels. That is a lot of pollution. In the next ten years, if Gore's plan works, we will see a decrease in air pollution, and that is just what we need. We should definitely cut back on our fossil fuel use because as scientists are saying, in our generation we will see oil and coal disappear.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Questions:
1)It will definitely cost a lot of money because we are replacing 90% of the US's energy with more green methods.
2)I think if the whole nation is in on the plan then the goal just might be reached. Still it might be hard because there are some stubborn people out there.
3)We can all donate some money or the government could put taxes on for this cause.
4)I would personally make a bunch of ads and commercials.
More Questions:
ReplyDelete1)Will this cut down on the pollution at all?
2) Is there any way these eco-friendly methods could harm our planet?
3)If the government put taxes for this cause, would you gladly play this?
Opinion: I think it is a very good idea for america to convert into using solar, wind and geothermal energy instead of electricity. It is crazy that 90% of the energy is from fossil fuels! That is way too much pollution. The change is hopefully going to take over, but it will be challenging to convert over. When people realize that in the end it will save money, then lots of people will change. Hopefully people realize it before our fossil fuels are all gone!
ReplyDeleteAnswers to Questions:
1. At first it would be because you would have to put in the solar panels and etc., but in the long run it will save money because you don't have to get the electricity from the companies.
2. Yes, if everybody realizes what is happening then lots of people will convert over, but I think it will take a while.
3.We can add solar panels to our households and let other people know about what is happening.
Questions:
1. How long will this change take?
2. Will we end up harming our planet more, in the long run?