Alternative fuel sources and America
 

!K_A! wants more topics, so here's a decent subject for some of Zel's debaters. I'll give the ultimate subject with a few key points, as it's a broad subject that risks many tangents.

Do you think that a switch to an alternative fuel source would positively or negatively impact America's economy?

1. Do you feel that the gain environmentally and in efficiency would offset the potential of thousands to maybe tens of thousands jobs lost?

2. Do you feel that Oil companies are actively trying to keep non-Petro fuel sources inefficient and underdeveloped to protect their profits at the expense of America's health and well-being?

3. Do you feel that less reliance on foreign Oil would further alienate and ruin the economy of those countries that we purchase it from, were we to switch from Oil as a fuel source?

4. If you feel an alternative fuel source is the way to go, cite one that you feel would be the most beneficial to our populace, and give details as to your reasoning.


Okay, don't feel like thinking of more and I'm losing my train of thought.

123...go!

Edit:

Added #4

Do you think that a switch to an alternative fuel source would positively or negatively impact America's economy?

If it's produced domestically, then positively.

1. Do you feel that the gain environmentally and in efficiency would offset the potential of thousands to maybe tens of thousands jobs lost?

There's always a potential loss when you switch from any system to another. Depending on the fuel source it could actually create jobs. Say ...growing huge tracts of algae. But yea, if we don't do something soon then transportation will be the last of our worries.

2. Do you feel that Oil companies are actively trying to keep non-Petro fuel sources inefficient and underdeveloped to protect their profits at the expense of America's health and well-being?

Of course they are.

3. Do you feel that less reliance on foreign Oil would further alienate and ruin the economy of those countries that we purchase it from, were we to switch from Oil as a fuel source?

Whether or not it will ruin their economies is not our concern. We have to worry about ourselves first, them second. However, alternative fuel sources are a step in the way of becoming carbon neutral, which will benefit them as well as us.

If you don't believe that oil companies are doing all they can to reduce the percieved viability of alternate fuel sources, you are an extreme optimist or a moron.

The problem with ethanol based fuel, for instance, is that it's main source for production is corn, which has many more impacts than one would think. Already, farmers are feeling the effects. For instance, farmers use corn to feed their cows, which produce milk. Well, in order to to feed their cows now, they need to spend a lot more money because corn is in such high demand. This obviously causes milk rates to raise, along with a plethora of other goods that are effected negatively by the production of ethanol.

This is the epitome of an economics questions, because the cause and effect reaches such a vast area of fields, that it's very difficult to make an arguement for one side when it negatively effects another. It's like the age old question of, would you sacrifice one life in return for a thousand? What if it was your mom (or someone you love)? 10 for 1000? etc...

It's a double edge, either way. Either you're a tree hugger and like fuel efficiency for environmental reasons, etc. or you are for the produce, dairy, etc. farmers of the world.

I was hoping for a more intellectual debate on it, and editing in a fourth question.

We're not going to be able to tap the same supplies of material for food and fuel. We need to use algae to produce the ethanol (if that is shown to be feasible).

1.) Absolutely. Switching fuel sources may not be immediately pertinent, but not having a plan of switching some time in the near future is very near-sighted. Yes, people will lose their jobs, however this could also prolong the existence of the human race by who knows how long. Ozone depletion is considered a major threat by the vast majority of the scientific community. The government should take proactive steps to make the transition smooth.

2.) Probably. If I owned an oil company, that's certainly what I would do.

3.) The possibility exists. America needs to critically weigh the alternatives, though. True, not switching now stabilizes the economies of many countries around the world, but it only prolongs the inevitable. Even if ozone depletion did not pose a significant health risk to us, black gold is limited in supply. Once a country runs out, its economy will crash anyway. America's decision on switching energy sources should not take foreign nation's economies into account too heavily. If we are seriously concerned about this, we could offer financial assistance to countries affected by our switch.

4.) Hydrogen cells sound like a viable alternative.

Ethanol can be made from a variety of plants, not just corn.

Hydrogen by itself is not a solution. Unless you're gas mining Jupiter, any method of collecting hydrogen either consumes (at least) an equal ammount of power that ends up being generated with standard fuels, or has its own negative environmental impact. Think of hydrogen as a battery. It makes energy from other sources portable.

In the end, thermodynamics makes all of these solutions basically suck ass.

4. If you feel an alternative fuel source is the way to go, cite one that you feel would be the most beneficial to our populace, and give details as to your reasoning.

Cheap, efficient, and accessible solar cells. Despite the pollution caused by manufacturing these things, if proliferation were to occur then a lot of our energy woes could be solved. We can cover our rooves, put them in our clothing, slap them onto backpacks ...we could potentially put these everywhere.

We're really approaching a revolution being spearheaded by nanotechnology =D. I'm really excited since nanotechnology has such great possibilities and we are seeing them more and more daily.

The best solution is that we need to develop a magic potion that can transform virii and bacteria into fuel alternatives. That way we are helping the environment, as well as curing people and illnesses.

DUH!

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

There's a lot more involved than that, but you can recondense the "exhaust" into water again, I think, but I recall it not being a fast ordeal.

Exactly. The energy to free the hydrogen and oxygen equals the energy gained when they are recombined. That's why equate hydrogen fuel to a battery. Where did you get that energy? Probably from coal or oil.

The company I'm working for actually works on hydrogen fuel cell expirements and stuff.

There's a big project using geothermal energy to produce it in Iceland.

I read something about Iceland about 3 or 4 months ago and how they are doing something with geothermal energy. Ill see if i have it saved to my hard drive and post it here. It was real interesting.