If alternative energy sources are going to be a viable solution to the problem of using fossil fuels then an economic as well as a technological solution is going to have to be found. Of course just about everyone should be aware of the environmental reasons that are involved now.
Environmental Benefits
When it comes to the environmental concerns attached to energy production, just about everyone by now knows that this is connected to global warming. That is why we really need to start using more alternative energy sources as soon as possible.
The problem arises from the fact that when we burn fossil fuels in order to cater to our energy needs this leads to emissions of carbon dioxide. This drives global warming, leading to the Earth warming up past the point that it should.
One of the most dramatic effects of global warming could be that the polar ice caps melt. If they do, and the sea level rises, then lots of what is land is at the moment could end up underwater. Something that might be even more serious though is if the ecosystems are disrupted and we can’t grow enough food anymore.
So while just about everyone would agree that this is a serious problem, potentially at least, the options that we have to deal with it are limited.
Dealing with the Problem of Climate Change
What some people suggest is that we should simply stop using oil and all of the other fossil fuels right away. And this has some merit, considering how serious the consequences could be if we don’t. However if we did that then there would be an economic collapse.
If the economy collapsed then many people wouldn’t have the money that they need in order to buy things like food, and all of the other things that they need to survive. So this would produce the sort of suffering that we are trying to avoid.
What will work, however, is replacing fossil fuels with a clean and renewable source of energy instead. That is, all of the alternative energy sources that we have right now. Considering that we do have them though, why is it that a solution has not yet been put forward that will lead to the transition?
Economic Considerations of Renewable Energy
The real problem with renewable energy right now is that it is too expensive. It’s cheaper to use conventional energy than it is to use renewable energy, that is the problem. When that problem is solved, we will have solved the problem of global warming as well.
What lots of governments have found though, is that it is actually more productive to make renewable energy, such as solar energy, a better investment rather than making the installation less expensive. To this end the UK government has introduced the feed in tariff.
The feed in tariff applies to electricity production by renewable means. They also have the renewable heat incentive coming out soon which is going to make technology such as solar thermal panels and heat pumps in to better investments. They work by paying you money for each unit of energy produced by renewable energy systems.
By increasing the demand for the products in this way though, this is going to bring down the cost of installations. That’s because more suppliers will arise, and with there being more supply, the price is going to come down. This should lead to more demand, and the cycle should continue in this way.
This is a realistic way that the transition can actually be made then, in an economically sustainable way. Once the technology is cheap enough, and advanced enough, government subsidies will not even be necessary.
To find out details about solar power, Liam Smith has written lots more on the subject at http://www.alternativeenergysources.org.uk. Find out more regarding the way all of it functions, such as the amount of money you’ll be able to make, also you can get a free quote for a solar installation.