a. Alternative Energy is energy that is created from renewable resources that are naturally formed from the earth and can be replenished within a time frame.
b. Arguments for alternative energy are vast and include things such as being better for the environment and being renewable, meaning they can be replenished. Arguments for alternative energy have grown and a major argument is that solely relying on nonrenewable resources will soon lead to no longer having those resources so we need to start gradually turning to different alternative ways of obtaining our energy. People have also been fighting for alternative energy due to the major negative impact fossil fuels and other nonrenewable resources have had on the planet. Things such as climate change and pollution has led people to want to transition away from that to a more sustainable way of obtaining energy, especially since scientists have predicted it will become worse and soon too late to fix.
c. Solar energy. It has increasingly become more popular among home owners and as a way to harness energy in a clean sustainable way. Solar energy is mainly the use of solar panels which harness the sun's light and heat energy and transform it into electricity or thermal energy we can use. Solar panels have been placed on roofs of houses and help power people's homes. The appeal of it is that families do not have to pay monthly electricity bills. The overarching advantage to solar energy though is the fact that it has no greenhouse gas emissions (Multiti, ch 4), which contributes to less climate change. There has been more and more large solar panel plants being placed on land not being used. Solar energy is completely renewable because the sun is the main natural resource. It is also one of the most popular choices of alternative energy since we know the sun will not be going away anytime soon and is completely renewable and clean to use. Solar energy has no gas expulsion or pollution whatsoever, therefore it does not really contribute to climate change, which has become a major problem recently and for the future. Solar energy is a great alternative energy source, but like everything, it does come with a few disadvantages, one being that the sun only shines at certain times of the day, losing out on many hours of potential energy absorption. Another is that not all places have enough light throughout the day to have solar plants. Solar energy also cannot be stored and used on demand, making it hard to depend on fully when needing energy. Though there are advantages and disadvantages, solar energy has become a growing source for energy around the globe and is starting to be implemented much more frequently. We might not be fully depending on it anytime soon, but it has definitely become a major alternative source for energy usage that is shining light towards a brighter future.
Resources:
Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.
