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Posted 2007-04-17, 10:06 PM
in reply to Vollstrecker's post "Alternative fuel sources and America"
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Vollstrecker said:
!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!
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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.
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