Yes, I'm the one who waited for one other person to post first (Thanks con-con)

ENGLISH SPEECH

Athie Livas

How can we put a price on the vase expanse of the rolling hills, how can we corporatize the endless sky? How can we manufacture the gleam of the soft flowing stream? Ladies and gentleman, we cannot. I call you all to rethink the way in which we interact with our environment, and understand the impetus which exists for a change in the way we think, and the way we energize.

In today’s global society, we are faced with a variety of threatening issues, ranging from those of economic, social, and political domains; however, there exists one issue which is critically more threatening and universally affecting than any other—the depletion of our natural resources and declining state of our environment. It was Robert Redford who articulated the importance of this issue when he said,

“The Environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad.” (Redford)

This is indeed a matter of paramount importance. This is also an issue that transcends borders, and for this reason must be addressed through a cohesive global effort. The U.S government should foster the movement towards a cleaner and more efficient form of energy use through an extensive portfolio of alternative energy sources. Thus, it is imperative that the Federal Government incentivize alternative energy use in private industry. This would foster energy stability, economic growth, and improvement in the state of our environment. Before citing the benefits associated with alternative energy, I must show that an imperative exists for an energy shift. Global warming, the inefficiency of current energy sources, and the severe instability of current sources are all strong indicators of this necessity.

The phenomenon of global warming has become a central issue in our society. We learn about it in our schools, and it is a hot topic in the popular media. This is fitting considering its vast importance. It has been determined over time through extensive scientific study that prolonged human resource depletion has reaped devastating effects on the Earth and its atmosphere. Global warming is now accepted scientific knowledge, and the consensus stands that we are the causers. (IPCC)

There is endless evidence indicating the existence of global warming, and the time has come that we seek a solution. Alternative energy incentives will provide a long-term and sustainable form of energy which will, in time, reverse the damaging effects of oil dependency.

The development of alternative energy is also necessary because the current energy sources (oil, coal, etc.) are highly ineffective for numerous reasons. Global warming is not the only negative environmental effect caused by our current energy sources. Oil extraction is detrimental to the Earth itself. When oil is extracted, the natural landscape of the area is destroyed. ANWR, or the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a protected landscape that is facing destruction due to its potential oil supply. The destruction of this 19 million acre protected area would be a significant loss to our Earth’s natural landscape and would yield detrimental effects to the surrounding habitat. The landscape of the Earth which is destroyed is something that can never be manufactured, and never replaced. Are the gas-guzzling automobiles we enjoy worth that invaluable price?

Dependency of any kind is detrimental to a country because it is limiting. Energy incentives would provide a portfolio of energy options, all of which have their benefits and potential negatives. However, the key to efficient energy development is having a variety of options, providing balance and avoidance of dependency. Incentives will do just this considering that the options are virtually endless. There are already several viable energy sources that could be employed, and the door is always open for the creation of new energies. As for some of the main energy forms in use now, there is nuclear, wind, solar, and hydro power. Along with biofuels such as methanol. Each form of energy has its own benefits and its own disadvantages, which is why we should operate on a portfolio of energy options and avoid absolute dependency at all costs.

nuclear power is obtained through the splitting of uranium atoms or fission, which is transferred into heat and then electricity. It has been praised by many as a long-term viable energy source. However it has also faced appreciable criticism for reasons such as safety, and cost. Safety concerns are to be expected considering the nuclear disasters seen in history, specifically the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 and the Three Mile Island accident of 1979. Although these were both highly catastrophic events, Chernobyl causing 31 immediate deaths as well as long-term health concerns for the surrounding areas, most experts do assert that some good can come from these events in terms of better development of nuclear energy. This is because we are now better equipped to deal with problems when they arise, and also because the nuclear industry now takes specific precautions to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself. An article released by the University of Michigan “Nuclear Energy and Society” furthered this point,

“One positive result from the tragic Chernobyl accident is that there is now increased awareness and commitment of the nuclear community to international cooperation in the field of safety....After the accident, the Electric Power Research Institute established a Nuclear Safety Analysis Center to review and analyze information relative to the safety of nuclear power plants. The fact of the matter is that nuclear power plants are safer today than ever before, and they will be unquestionably safer tomorrow than today.” (University of Michigan)

As the article states, nuclear energy has increased in its safety, although it would be unrealistic to assert that there is absolutely no risk involved. As for the cost concerns associated with nuclear energy, excluding the startup costs, nuclear manufacturing is actually more cost-efficient than oil. According to Dr. Forrest Remick of Patriot News, the average production cost of of oil is 10.2 cents per killowat-hour, while nuclear generated electricity costs only 1.7 cents per killowat-hour.

In our current economic crisis, it is vital that the economic repercussions are considered when any government decision is made. The institution of subsidies for alternative energy is no exception. Some may assert that providing incentives to private industry would only increase the burden on our economy, however one must keep in mind that these incentives are an investment in our nation’s future. Alternative energy will serve as a long-term solution to a slew of long-term problems. Although appreciable funds may be needed to provide incentives in the beginning, the long-term economic effects accompanied with breaking our nation’s dependency on foreign oil will be incomparable. Also, the reduction in environmental harm will yield high economic benefits as well. Since global warming has been proven to escalate natural disasters, stagnating it would effectively reduce the chance of extreme natural disasters which take an extirpating toll on human life and on our nation’s economy. When hurricane Katrina struck the Southeastern United States in 2005, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) spent $3.31 billion on housing assistance. The extreme expenses and manpower executed in response to Hurricane Katrina could have been lessened, perhaps even avoided, had the proper measures been taken to decrease the toll on our environment. Imposing alternative energy incentives would effectively solve the problem, rather than treating the symptoms, saving the U.S government millions in retrospect.

Finally, among the more direct advantages of alternative energy, there are also more subtle advantages. Specifically, improved global relations. There are currently 183 nations who have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. The United States is the only developed nation which has refused to participate in this cohesive global effort towards climate control, which has undoubtedly taken a toll on our image in the global society. This negative image could lead to less trade, and a lowered state of homeland security. By partaking in the global effort to decrease our dependency on oil, the United States will reap benefits in global relations.

Overall, we, as citizens of this nation, and this planet must take initiative to correct the mistakes of our predecessors. If we continue to partake in the vicious cycle of oil dependency the perils of economic downfall, lowered homeland security, and the leering environmental threat will only perpetuate. A shift in energy is absolutely paramount, as seen through the above points. A substantial increase in government incentives would effectively foster this necessary shift.