In the early 1970's, hardly anyone was remotely interested or concerned about the developing or using alternative energy sources. Fossil fuels were always available and they were fairly cheap to purchase. Oil, coal and natural gas were always the choice for energy.
In 1973 the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) imposed an embargo act upon the transportation of oil into the United States. This caused the prices to skyrocket and opened the eyes to Americans that there should be alternative sources to be used. However, the embargo act only lasted one year it had effect on the US economy that lasted more than a decade. (World News Digest pg 1).
After environmental scientists noticed a rise in the smog level caused by automobile pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, and a rise in the global temperature was to be caused by this same factor. This led them to believe that that the burning of fossil fuels by humans was a main effect for global warming. This raised many concerns and caused alternative energy sources to be used. In this essay I will discuss alternative fossil fuels choices, Iceland's quest to be oil and coal-free, and an oppositions view.
Not only are the fossil fuels going to be extinct before long they are also harmful to the Earth. Burning fossil fuels is a major source of anthropogenic CO2, a major heat-trapping greenhouse has. Burning oil also produces nitrous and sulfur oxides that damage people, crops, trees and fish. (Harper pg 227).
Alternative fossil fuel choices are increasing more and more throughout the years. Hydroelectric power, Biomass energy, geothermal energy and solar power are all being used today in the United States. Currently about 7.6% of the energy used in the United States comes from renewable energy. Of this hydroelectric accounts for 4%, biomass 3% and wind, solar, and geothermal energy accounts for the remaining .