Waqar Ali

Mr. Hamilton

WRT1060

2/6/2022

Alternative Energy Proposal

What is Alternative Energy:

Over the last 100 years the global temperature has been rising exponentially, now

reaching a point, where if early emissions continue to increase rapidly, as they have since

2000, it is projected that by the end of this century, global temperature will be at least 5

degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the 1900-1960 average, and possibly as much as 10.2

degrees warmer(NORA). In 2019 alone, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions totaled 6,558 million

metric tons of carbon dioxide and through burning fossil fuels and clearing forests, has added

about 11 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere each year (EPA). As a society, it is

not plausible for us to stop the use of energy; rather, what is plausible, are ways to become

more efficient in our way of harvesting said energy. Alternative energy, also known more

commonly as renewable energy, is the usable energy derived from replenishable sources such

as the Sun, wind, rivers, hot springs, tides, and biomass. There is another source of energy

that while not renewable is powerful and environmentally better then the fossil fuel we use

today and its known as Nuclear Power. All of these forms of energy attempt to curb the

absurd amounts of CO2 that is released by the United States into the Ozone every year. It's

stated by the United Nations that there is only 11 years left to prevent irreversible damage

from climate change.

How this Affects Us:

As stated previously, The estimated time that has been given by the United Nations is

11 years; that is well within our lifetime and the lifetime of our children. As the temperature

of the planet increases the effects that it brings upon our livelihoods will become more and
Waqar Ali

Mr. Hamilton

WRT1060

2/6/2022

more intense. Americans will be exposed to more frequent and/or intense extreme weather

and climate events that not only threaten their lives and health, but also significantly disrupt

health and social services.

The risk of large forest fires has increased and will increase further across California

and other parts of the West, directly threatening people’s lives and causing severe air

pollution across large areas. Just 2 years ago, 2020 set the record for the most forest fires for

the state of California and the United States as a whole. NIFC reported that as of Nov. 27

there were 52,113 wildfires that had burned 8,889,297 acres in 2020. This is approximately

2.3 million more acres burned than the 10-year average and almost double the acreage burned

in the 2019 season.

Further the frequency and intensity of heavy downpours has increased and is likely to

increase further, raising the risk of flash flooding, hurricanes and storms. More frequent

heavy rain events will likely increase Americans’ exposure to water-borne illnesses,

including those linked to sewage contamination of drinking water. Recreational waters are

likely to experience more outbreaks of aquatic pathogens, including Vibrio bacteria and

harmful algal blooms.

The situation with climate change and global warming is not something that can be

dismissed anymore. This problem does not affect just one aspect of humanity, it is something

that no matter the race, gender, or ethnicity, it will have an effect on life. If nothing is

changed and society continues to go down the path that it has currently chosen; then the lives

lived in the future will be astronomically different and more difficult then the ones lived

today.
Waqar Ali

Mr. Hamilton

WRT1060

2/6/2022

Why Speak about Alternative Energy:

Researching about Alternative Energy will allow me to better understand just how

complex the topic is. There must be a reason why these forms of energies have been chosen

as the basis to replace many of the non-renewable energy sources that we have today. It

might also benefit me intellectually as I can better make judgments on decisions which could

lead me to have a smaller carbon footprint left behind. Additionally, It could help me

professionally as I continue down the path of computer science and computer engineering to

build more economically effective computers that are less detrimental to the environment.

During the research it could also benefit my peers, if I explain to them what

knowledge I gained and cause them to make decisions in their day-to-day lives that could

also have them leave a smaller carbon footprint behind.

Things I Would like Answers Too:

There are a few things that I would like to get answered. Some of them are:

● How effective is each alternative energy resource?

● why is it difficult for us as a society to transition from fossil fuel to renewable

resources

● is it possible for us to completely rely on alternative energy and remove the need for

fossil fuels

● what costs more alternative energy for fossil fuel in the long run

● how involved is politics in the transition from non-renewable to renewable

● how is the research coming for the alternative energy sources has it become more

effective
Waqar Ali

Mr. Hamilton

WRT1060

2/6/2022

● what are some alternative energy sources that could possibly change the way we live

our lives

● Is it possible that alternative energy is not viable and humanity has set itself on timer

leading to its end

These are a few of the questions that I would love to answer during this semester and see if I

can come up with new questions that could lead to more new answers.