The benefits of renewable energy

Abstract:

With the climate changing and action is needed to be done alternative sources of energy must be used to lessen the impact we are making on our planet. The main question that can come up for finding new alternative energy sources would be what are our options? Any following questions can be how can they affect the economy, cultural status, and social status. Does politics have a part in alternative energy sources and many more. We were able to cover one of these energies which is solar and cover the history behind it, the cultural impact it has had, the politics that are holding it back, the economic impact it may have and other important information.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Historical Timeline 2

Societal Influences 4

Evaluation of the ethical considerations 5

Conclusion 6

References 7

Introduction

The buildup of greenhouse gases continues to rise as humanity continue to use automobiles, machineries, and other things that commonly uses gasoline which is the very by-product of fossil fuel; derived from crude oil. Researchers and experts who study our environment have evidence that the Earth’s climate has risen since the Industrial Revolution. Humanity had finally discovered a new alternative source of energy besides air, water and wood. If people don’t look further into renewable source of energy during our current lifetime, then it may be too late to save this planet from global warming. What we do today can ultimately prevent catastrophe from taking place. By exploring the capability of solar and electricity, we will be able to stand against the negative effects of greenhouse gases to our planet. Photovoltaic solar energy (PV) is the process of generating electricity directly from the sun. It is captured by many technologies such as solar panels, to produce clean renewable energy. Solar energy converts light energy into electric energy or thermal energy through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are used by people as a source of energy for their homes, businesses and utility. Solar hot water systems are also used as means to produce solar heat. Solar energy technologies are beneficial to both our environment and our daily lives. Solar energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduces our use of fossil fuels which are very harmful to our environment.

A historical timeline: Ashley Bryan

When it comes to solar energy, there are two main types. They are photovoltaics and concentrated solar power (UMA Solar, 2020). These two types of solar energy will have different functions and help in different ways. Photovoltaics takes in sunlight to generate electricity, whereas concentrated solar power harnesses the suns heat to create thermal energy (UMA Solar, 2020). Solar energy has been evolving over the course of many years. More and more people are turning to solar energy as a way to go about their daily activities and run their household appliances. Solar energy has come a long way from when it first came about many years ago. Solar energy first came about during the Industrial Revolution, when a French physicist converted sunlight into electricity (Sabas, 2018). Although Alexandre Edmond Becquerellar was the first to discover solar energy, it was not until four decades later when, the world’s first rooftop solar panels were created.

In 1883, Charles Fritts created the first solar panels in New York (Sabas, 2018). By creating the first solar panels, Fitts paved way for how others would turn to solar energy. Over the course of time, more and more individuals began focusing their attention to solar energy and how they could better understand the uses of it. After Fritts created the worlds first solar panels, it was not until 1954 when labs were created to help better understand the development and understanding of the functions of solar energy (Sabas, 2018). The military turned to using solar energy as a way to power their satellites. By the military turning to solar panels, it paved the way for individuals to turn their focus on solar energy.

The United States government passed multiple bills in 1974 that helped with the use of solar energy. Out of those five bills, two of them were aimed at solving the energy problem the United States was facing (Sabas, 2018). By creating these bills, the United States was creating a platform for solar energy and was trying to turn people onto the new form of energy. Not only did the United States government push for the use of solar energy, but the second wave of solar energy use came in the early 2000s.

During the rise of the oil fields, the president signed for the Energy Policy Act to go into effect. This came about because of the rising oil prices that was being imported in by the foreign companies (Sabas, 2018). This act was initiated to help relieve the citizens from high fuel prices. Although solar energy can be costly initially, individuals can save over time.

When solar energy was first discovered, there was not much information known about the technology and how it could help individuals. All that was known was the government was trying to help the citizens with a more cost-effective way to run their electricity in their homes. Over time, there have been more advancements and more uses for solar powered energy. Solar energy originally started off as solar panels for roofs, but as more and more people began to understand the technology, there are more every day uses. Solar energy has made a drastic change in advancements and can now cater to all individuals.

One-way solar energy has made a major advancement is through the use of solar skin design. Solar skin design is a new method for how solar panels look. When solar panels were first invented, many people were turned off by the design of solar panels. People did not want to put large bulky panels on their roofs. Companies that specialize in solar energy have created ways to help the design of how the solar panels look. This has helped increase popularity with solar panels and creating more of an inviting look for individuals. By creating a more inviting style, companies are creating more value.

Not only was solar energy created to help with the cost of homes and be more energy efficient, but companies are now creating devices that individuals can wear. It was not until 2017 when companies began creating solar panels that can be stitched into clothing (UMA Solar, 2020). This was a way for companies to slowly grow with the community and expand their market.

Solar powered technology has made many advancements over the years. Companies are growing and adapting so they can bring in more customers and expand their business. By expanding their products, companies are creating more value and educating individuals on solar energy.

Social: Felicia Wright

Cultural: Navdeep Chatha

Solar energy amenities could manufacture various influences on cultural resources in and across the extents where they are constructed. Influences could happen through both facility manufacture and procedure. Substantial cultural resources, containing ancient belongings listed or qualified for registering on the National Register of Historic Places, could be exaggerated by utility-scale solar energy expansion unceremoniously of the technology engaged. The possibility for influences on traditional possessions from solar energy growth, comprising auxiliary amenities, such as admittance roads, is openly associated to the quantity of land disturbance and the locality of the development.

The consumption of solar energy in a construction of cultural-heritage significance is a concern that transports the trade-off among features of usage and conservation to a head. On the one hand, solar energy simplifies long-term usage as it makes it conceivable for structures to be animated with renewable energy at a lesser consecutively cost; on the further hand, the noticeable connections, the solar amassers or solar cells have a noticeable influence on their manifestation and cultural inheritance assessment. Equally, while non-installation defends the structures cultural-heritage standards, in the short term, there is a hazard that such a judgement will make them less appealing for long-term usage and consequently limit chances for their conservation. Cautiously and environmentally maintainable warming resolutions must consequently be found that makes it conceivable to use the constructions deprived of endangering their cultural inheritance worth.

Degradation of surroundings connected with momentous cultural possessions could take place as a consequence of both graphical and acoustic influences from the existence of a utility-scale solar energy expansion, accompanying land turbulences, and auxiliary amenities. This could distress momentous cultural possessions for which graphical reliability and a discreet situation is a constituent of a place's implication, such as traces, sanctified locations and backgrounds, ancient assemblies, traditional cultural possessions, and ancient sceneries.

Cultural resources are non-renewable and, when broken or demolished, are not recoverable. Hence, if a cultural resource is impaired or demolished throughout solar energy expansion, this scrupulous cultural site, reserve, or article would be irrevocable. Cultural resources can have dissimilar standards for diverse sets. For instance, cultural possessions that are substantial for their technical significance, information reclamation is one method in which some data can be reclaim should a traditional resource sites can be adversely affected by development activity. Certain circumstantial information would unvaryingly be misplaced, but latest cultural reserves information would be made accessible to the technical communal.

The regions of apprehension theoretically distressing low-income or alternative inhabitants are sound and dirt produced throughout the production of utility-scale solar amenities and the accompanying access roads; visual impacts of solar generation and auxiliary facilities; noise and electric and magnetic field consequences linked with solar project procedures; admittance to land expended for economic, cultural, or religious consequence; and property standards. Since such influences are location reliant, a comprehensive examination should be a part of the project-level conservational valuation.

Graphical effects from production and supplementary amenities connected with each solar knowledge may also distress low-income or alternative inhabitants. Solar expansion may also hypothetically modify the scenic distinction in parts of customary or cultural implication to these inhabitants. Although expected to be inconsequential, sound and electric and magnetic field impressions from development process could also generate influences distressing low-income. The point to which these consequences are concerns would differ on the extent of the energy amenities and on their immediacy to these inhabitants.

Cultural reserves can also be appreciated for their assistances to edification, inheritance tourism, or traditional habits. These kinds of influences are less certainly alleviated; nonetheless, by introducing discussion with State Historic Preservation Offices, exaggerated Native American communities, and additional shareholders primary in the preparation development, the influence may be narrowed or evaded. Influences on cultural resources that are also connected to Native American distresses are connected to the development impression for instance land commotion, corrosion, variations in runoff arrangements, hydrological modifications and development productions.

Political: David Corona

The main idea for this section is to cover the topic of why there is limited support for the use of renewable energy sources by the government and what is their reasoning to ignore the topic or attack its purpose of helping the environment. Also, to bring up what politicians can do to bring up more support for renewable energy sources. There might not be any technologies that have to be brought up as this section is mainly covering the political side of renewable energy. Some of the ethical issues that may need to be clarified would have to be when congress votes against a helpful program deciding it is not worth the money to invest in. In short, the ethical issues would be why does the government think there is no need to invest into renewable energy programs. As we are trying to show support for the use of renewable energy we can look at all the reasons why the government can be opposed to renewable energy and analyze why and think of new ways to turn their view point around in order to better see the benefits of the energy. One of the main pieces of evidence that I was able to find was that there is little to no support from the trump administration when it comes to supporting renewable energy projects. There have been reports where they give leniency to coal plants while raising taxes for renewable energy projects which caused some businesses that were supporting the projects to stop in order to avoid paying the increased taxes. I have been also been able to find some information regarding a utility company providing information that was most likely false about the rise of prices which was false as when solar panels were installed the prices for residents did not increase. I was also able to find information regarding how renewable energy has a hard time trying to enter the political climate and how the challenge has lessened for them. Some evidence that needs to be gathered on my end would have to be about how congress has attempted to help or impede the progress of renewable energy. The next steps for my research process will still include looking into more information regarding renewable energy challenges and find better sources to use. When it comes to relations with other subsections, I know the main one that it is related to would be economic as there is mention of the costs being part of the government’s decision. Other sections it would be related to would be social as it brings up about how the people in general feel about the changes that will be made.

As mentioned earlier there are few politicians that come out and say they are for renewable energy sources but there are plenty that are against the idea and say that climate change is a hoax. Recently with Trumps administration they have been a threat to renewable energy and the projects that are brought up relating to it. Instead his administration made it their goal to preserve the coal industry at the expense of wind and solar energy projects. This put a lot of speculation on what he is doing as president and why he did what he did. He also brought up a tax bill that ended up hurting the financing of some clean energy projects while also giving subsidy to coal power plants. This information shows that trumps administration is against renewable energy and is launching attacks against it to lower its progress or bring it down completely. Most of the measure that have been brought up against renewable energy are considered as spook factors and can cause companies to back out of funding a project relating to solar or wind. As mentioned in the article Solar and wind power faces serious threats from the trump administration “Even if these measures never come to fruition – advocates of transitioning from fossil fuels are pushing back – the changed mood in Washington threatens to undermine the confidence of companies planning to invest in renewables” (para. 4). These threats are hurting clean energy projects but at the same time they are only roadblocks. The main threat that can completely slow everything is the tax cut packages that the house and senate passes. If they are passed that means companies will follow through with other alternatives to avoid paying high taxes for the projects. Trumps administration should avoid helping the coal plants and instead focus on the renewable energy projects. These same projects can most likely save money in the long run for companies and help us find new ways to help our environment. It also brings up the question of does the president believe that climate change is a hoax because if so, he should really consider the people’s opinion over his own as he is supposed to be for the people not himself. Another question that should be brought up is are they being paid by the coal companies to cut down their taxes. This is information that does not have a direct answer yet, but our president does need to consider the future generations that may be at stake if he does slow renewable energy projects. It could be that he knows of the costs of the projects and they can lose money right now and decided that this was the best option we may never know until we know his true thoughts on the issue

Politicians can also be untrustworthy since they can be bought by companies to support their side of an issue and help spread misinformation regarding a product or system. In this case it should be noted that oil industries used their power and money to influence how politicians can think of a product. As long as they are able to bring money to a politician they will do as they are told to do. The fossil fuel industry has used their influence to spread false information regarding climate change through their selected politicians. It has been mentioned in an article about challenges that renewable energies have faced that industry leaders know of the risk of global warming since the 70s but withheld that information as it would cost them money. They also gave money to the politicians in order to keep quiet about that information. This means that if we had known sooner, we could have started to make the change when needed to but politicians decided against it and went for the money to try and live the lives they want to. What is worse is that these companies were not punished for their actions and continue to make the statements that climate change is a hoax and that clean energy is not a valuable resource

Economic: Lilliana Martinez

Photovoltaic solar energy (PV) is the process of generating electricity directly from the sun. It is captured by technologies such as solar panels, to produce clean renewable energy. Photovoltaic energy has become a fast-growing industry combating climate change and environmental pollution. The growth of Solar Panel usage by individuals, communities, and third-party utility companies not only impacts nature and the environment but also the economy. Society needs to adopt renewable sources of energy to help prevent global warming for future generations.

Majority of the electricity we use is currently drawn from fossil fuels and has been more cost effective to society due to initial costs of implementing a renewable energy system. Both fossil fuels and solar energy have their set costs but when comparing the two, solar energy is a source with more sustainability. The continuous innovation of technology allows the usage of solar panels to become less expensive and less damaging to the environment while fossil fuels create negative environmental costs that have been estimated to be $74.5 billion. These costs are caused by the damages in land destruction, emissions, and health damages created during the extraction of fossil fuels. Adopting a renewable source of energy reduces the usage of fossil fuels which is extremely damaging to nature and likely to be a depleted resource for future generations. The costs of solar energy are much more minimal and less damaging to the environment. The production of solar energy impacts in areas such as land use with utility scale solar projects, water use during the manufacturing phases, greenhouse gas emissions caused during manufacturing, transportation, installation, disposal, and lastly high initial costs. These issues are commonly avoided by utilizing unusable land, and recycling of hazardous materials.

The increasing usage and innovation of Solar Photovoltaic technology (solar panels) is combating global climate change and preserving natural resources. Implementing the usage of solar power to a global capacity benefits the manufacturing industry, agriculture, commercial and residential homes with future energy costs and possible tax incentives. Solar energy systems have impacted the job market by creating jobs nationwide in areas such as Installation, Manufacturing, Project Development, Sales and Distribution amongst others. Although solar energy is still very expensive for residents and it is attainable through government assistance or state incentives. Policies and bills have been passed by legislation in different states to provide economic support to make it more feasible for consumers to utilize a renewable source of energy. The NCSL and the National Association of State Energy Officials suggests state legislatures are addressing: access and rights, building policies and codes, compensation for producers, consumer protection, financing, incentives and market-building policies, electric grid integration, ownership models, photovoltaic panel recycling and decommissioning, PV system costs rate design, and training and certification. Many businesses are resistant to some eco-friendly practices due to the sustainability of the process and could possibly indicate high costs at some point. “The ultimate goal of implementing sustainable practices is to ensure that the global business community is eco-friendly, socially responsible, inclusive, easier to predict, and financially successful for all involved parties.” (Maganello, 2018) Although companies would have to invest on the initial costs of solar energy, they will benefit in the long run with lower utility bills, maintenance fees, managing materials.

Although, the initial costs of solar energy installation are high, technology innovation and Renewable Energy Tax Credits are making it attainable for the average individual. Adapting today’s technology is not just great for the environment but also allows companies to do their part in environmental ethics by adapting more eco-friendly practices. Photovoltaic energy has become a fast-growing industry while combating climate change and environmental pollution.

Environmental: Joemarie Cristi

Most people probably don’t know this but our environment is not getting any better unless we become mindful and considerate of our own actions that may impact this planet either positively or negatively. One of my main concerns is not everybody cares enough about our only place we call home or mother Earth. We all need to be aware of the truth behind the harmful effects of burning fossil fuel/coal (or any other non-renewable source of energy) which releases carbon emissions/greenhouse gas to our atmosphere. Renewable energy such as electric/solar is the future of sustainability for humanity as it will allow us to drive or use cars/machines (which is also clean energy) without releasing any more carbon emissions. This planet would then be saved from extreme weather conditions due to harmful effects of moderate-high levels of carbon emissions caused by deforestation/burning of coal or fossil fuel to power cars/machines which is non-renewable source of energy. by doing my best to show the world what can be done to reduce and ultimately put a stop to the rise of carbon emissions by first informing the people about the environmental benefits of renewable source energy vs non-renewable source (while mainly promoting the use of solar/electric powered vehicles) hoping that people will hear me out and go green with me. I currently own a hybrid car which is almost as good as an electric vehicle because it does run on EV when driven in a reasonable speed. Lately, I’ve noticed a lot more companies on TV advertising EVs such as Ford, Toyota, Audi and other companies I never thought would have EVs.

The annotated bibliography contains information from reputable sources of the internet. The resources simply talk about the harmful effects of carbon emissions due to the usage of non-renewable sources of energy (coal, gasoline…) which started right around the Industrial Revolution. Deforestation also has negative effects towards the planet due to the fact that trees and plants are our only source of oxygen. Lastly, Mycologist Paul Stamets believes Mycelium which is the fruiting body of fungi may hold benefits for both humanity and the environment.

In one of the many articles, Mclamb (2011) talks about The Ecological impact of the Industrial Revolution. He believes that since we have discovered fossil fuels, modernization took place and things were created and done faster than ever before. Food, medicine, cars and other humanistic necessity were quickly made and came to be. And so, people’s demand had risen to the point that the supply had to have been met, frequently. The use of machines to manufacture various things were the beginning of us realizing that humans are no longer needed most of the time. In fact, robots or machines today are doing some of the hardest jobs that no human would be able to do in long periods of time. We have become dependent on fossil fuels/coal for so long that we’re now living in a generation where other sources of energy should be considered. It is only a matter of time until we experience the horrors of what the burning of fossil fuel/coal is really doing to our environment. As the Earth’s atmosphere warms up due to the buildup of greenhouse gases, ice caps could begin to melt which could cause our sea-levels to rise. Climate change could summon more violent storms than ever. As we use more and more of the traditional source of energy which was discovered a few hundred years ago, then this could mean that the Earth’s atmosphere would flood with carbon emissions which could one day end humanity.

I’m not rich nor poor but I’m definitely not greedy either. Our government capitalizes on a supply of things that we as humans demand. They are mainly concerned about what they can supply society for a profitable exchange. The pros and cons of this are more and more people can now have easy access to food, medicine, cars, clothes, and more because of privately-owned corporations that cater to humanistic needs. On the other hand, monopoly could be a result of capitalism which means that large privately-owned corporations can and will do business in whatever way possible. Their main intention is to get rich without the thought of what any of their actions impact could have on the planet. If we come to think of it, businesses main purpose is to supply things to people meaning their main concern is production or manufacturing. These are one of the recipes that could impact Earth negatively as they usually involve the burning of fossil fuels/coal as an energy source to power machineries who does all the heavy lifting for these companies.

This is an article written by Pettinger (2017) in regards to the Pros and Cons of Capitalism. He is an economics teacher and contributes articles to the Economic Review and writes regularly on economics. He believes that there is only either a positive or negative side (pros and cons) in capitalism. Like minded individuals such as large privately-owned corporations, government-funded organizations, etc. will always be about the money regardless of what happens to the environment. Although, it might be true that these capitalists’ main concerns are to become rich, money isn’t going to save the world from global warming. Sometimes, even businesses whose sole purpose is to play the monopoly game should be concerned that the Earth’s atmosphere isn’t getting any better since the Industrial Revolution. Without a habitable planet due to the rise of greenhouse gases/carbon emissions, all businesses and lifeforms would be lost. If we don’t find a solution to combat global warming by reducing the uses of fossil fuels/coal as a source of energy then it might be easy to say that we’re headed towards a destructive end. One can only hope and pray that humanity would start listening to its senses and actually consider renewable sources of energy such as electric/solar. Looking into these renewable sources of energy could reduce the release of carbon emissions to our atmosphere which could prevent natural disasters from taking place. It is only a matter of time. The Earth’s atmosphere is not getting any better until we do something about it. Everyone must take action and do what is necessary to prevent any more burning of fossil fuel/coal while replacing them with more solar/electric powered substitutes.

Based on a few evidences that are backed up by research says that the world has gotten warmer than ever since the year 1950’s. The elevation of carbon emissions had also been proven along with the rising of temperatures. Experts and researchers believe that it is humanities own doing that’s causing the rise of temperature which is affecting a lot of areas around the globe. Sea waters are beginning to rise due to the melting of ice caps from the rising temperature of the planet, warming of ocean waters by more than 0.4 Fahrenheit since 1969, early decline or decreased of ice caps/sheets and glacial retreat from all around the world, and more violent storms are becoming so common throughout the year in certain parts of the world. Not only that, due to the fact that more carbon emissions have been released into the Earth’s atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution; it is causing our sea waters to become acidic which could be bad for the fishes and other living organisms of the ocean.

These are all evidence discovered by NASA regarding Climate Change: How do we know? Found on their official website. They believe that the entrapment of Earth’s greenhouse gases is causing the rise in temperature. The amount of man-made carbon emissions being released has never stopped increasing since the Industrial Revolution. If we don’t do anything about the constantly increasing levels of carbon emissions, our planet might one day end up like its sister planet Venus. Too much carbon emissions into our atmosphere could warm up our planet exponentially, making it not suitable for any life. Even as we speak, the Earth’s atmosphere is comparably different since the Industrial Revolution (a few hundred years ago) than our time today. Reduction of the usage of fossil fuels, coal and other man-made materials that has potential to release carbon emissions into the air would help humanity while considering renewable energy sources as the new alternatives. Global warming can be stopped and prevented with everybody doing their part to make this planet cleaner again. By looking into renewable sources, we would one day eliminate the problem that we once started when we discovered fossil fuels and coal. The time is now to change our ways before it’s too late for all humans. Millions of lives will be saved if we act now and prevent global warming. Together as one, we can make this planet habitable for the future generation to experience. If we all do what’s right, by looking into solar, electric and other renewable sources of energy then the world would one day stop using fossil fuels, coal and other non-renewable sources of energy which is harmful to Earth’s atmosphere.

If we look around us closely, the world is changing inevitably. Wildfires are happening more and more year-round in some parts of the world, extreme weather conditions such as stronger storms and unexpected heat waves are also becoming common in different areas of the world. All of humanity will be affected if we don’t act today. We must do what it takes to reduce carbon emissions, slow down the increasing temperature of the globe in hopes that the future generations will one day experience a cleaner world environment. As for the record, 2016 was the hottest year in history. “Globally, the average surface temperature has increased more than one-degree Fahrenheit since the late 1800s” (UCS, 2018) As we already know, burning of fossil fuels is one of the carbon emitting substance that’s damaging the Earth’s atmosphere and not only that coal, natural gas, and oil plus the cutting/burning of trees due to deforestation in the tropics are also contributing to the ever-increasing temperature of our planet. Climate change has taken a toll on our planet with the increased air pollution and more intense allergy seasons. Flooding can also be one of the factors of global warming as sea level rises more and more from the intense heat being trapped into our atmosphere with the potential to cause severe wildfires in dry areas of the world.

Union of Concerned Scientists beliefs are similar to NASA or other environmental organization doing their part to save our planet through scientific means and research. They believe that we can fight global warming together by avoiding misinformation that could cause us to doubt global warming and its effects that had already impacted our planet. Preparation for intense heat waves, rising ocean levels, and wild fire risks are some of the few dangers we must anticipate in the future ahead. Stopping deforestation in tropical areas can help reduce carbon emissions as deforestation accounts for 10% of the world’s heat trapping-emissions. By taking action while knowing what needs to be done, we can all work together as one and put a stop to global warming once and for all. Using fewer fossil fuels, coal and other carbon-emission causing resource should be the new norm as we progress with renewable sources of energy.

Our planet Earth has been around for millions of years and the last catastrophic event we’ve had was the ice age. Scientists, researchers and organization of experts believe that it is humanities own actions (since the Industrial Revolution) that has led to a rapid increase in Earth’s atmosphere temperature. The burning of fossil fuels has been responsible for more trapped greenhouse gas into our atmosphere which is causing the world to deal with more intense natural disasters than ever (ex: intense storms, droughts, wildfires, rise of sea level, melting of ice caps, pollution, etc.) The sun’s radiation is our natural source of greenhouse gas also known as the greenhouse effect which is adding on to man-made carbon emissions.

National Geographic believes that little changes such as unplugging an electrical appliance, less usage of automobiles or anything that uses fossil fuels, coal or other that could release carbon-emissions to our atmosphere would help humanity and the future generations to come. And most importantly, reduction of the cutting of trees would extremely help our environment as this accounts for 10% of carbon emissions being released. Furthermore, humanity is living in the age of renewable source of energy where electric, solar and other resource that doesn’t use fossil fuel, coal or other which can release harmful carbon emissions into our atmosphere are recognized and consistently being considered. To combat global warming and stop the further rising of sea levels, wildfires risk, drought, intense storms and water acidity; all humanity must look into the alternatives and ways to put an end to global warming.

Mycologist Paul Stamets talks about how mushrooms and its fruiting body Mycelium can help save the environment and our health by strengthening Earth’s and the human body’s immune system. He talks with great pride and uses facts to communicate to his audience the benefits of mushrooms to both the environment and our health. He believes that both Mycelium and fungus can help save the universe. “cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox and even flu viruses.” He believes that mushrooms grow because of Mycelium and Mycelium grow because of mushrooms. Some species such as the Lion’s Mane are considered smart mushrooms and can also be eaten for both its macro-nutritional and immune system benefits. Not only that we have Mycelium naturally growing from beneath us which provides both edible/medicinal mushrooms for the human population to explore, the Earth’s soil, plants and atmosphere benefits from the Mycelium’s magical presence alone. As Paul Stamets claimed, Mycelium can be used for cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox and even flu viruses. Mycologist Paul Stamets is also an author of numerous books that talks about mycelium, mushrooms and their environmental/health benefits. He is also a speaker, medical researcher and an entrepreneur. As you can see from the video link below and many other sites such as TED talks that has a video footage of Paul Stamets talking about his knowledge on Mycology, in-depth; I support Paul Stamets belief that mushrooms/Mycelium holds the answer to improving Earth’s environment and the human health immune system. As Paul stated, Mycelium and giant mushrooms has been around for 1,300 Million years before plants existed 700 million years later.

Paul Stamets is one of the top sources to go to regarding mushroom growing or hunting, mushroom identification, health/environmental benefits of mushrooms and more… He offers classes just like any experts who is willing to share their knowledge to people for a cost. The field of Mycology is not just for researchers but also for hobbyist looking to learn new skills for personal or professional, health benefits and environmental purposes.

We may not be able to fully reverse the harmful effects of non-renewable source of energy (such as fossil fuel and coal) to our atmosphere but by considering the uses of renewable source of energy (electric, solar or other energy source that doesn’t release carbon emissions) more and more while reducing carbon emissions will definitely help with global warming/climate change. Each passing year as more people become aware of the harmful effects of carbon emissions to our atmosphere then maybe more people would consider switching to electric/solar or other renewable source of energy that doesn’t produce carbon emissions so we can reduce/stop the accumulation of greenhouse gas into our atmosphere. With the help of my major/bachelor’s degree in multimedia design/graphics & web development, my writing and people skills then I can help make a difference by creating a visual project to inform the people of this world the harmful effects of carbon emissions which is the by-product of using non-renewable source of energy and that switching to renewable source of energy may only be our last hope in saving our planet and humanity from global warming/climate change due to increasing amounts of carbon emissions/greenhouse gas into our atmosphere which we believe started during the Industrial Revolution.

Evaluation of the ethical considerations

The key ethical concerns circulating this very topic are simply the facts that scientists and experts alike believe that our planet is not getting any better. High levels of carbon emissions found within Earth’s atmosphere are causing a lot of unexpected natural disasters, such as more frequent wildfires on a yearly basis, violent storms, droughts, global warming which causes more ice caps to melt leading to the rise of sea levels, pollution and more. The relationship between solar energy and ethics is simply to save the world from getting flooded by more carbon emissions from the usage of coal, oil and wood. This can be done by informing the masses the steps that can be done by humanity and hoping to persuade them at the same. By simply converting to renewable sources of energy, we can prevent the horrors of global warming due to the rise of carbon emissions. Using renewable energy will allow for the depletion of non-renewable energy to slow.

There are many ethical considerations that must be taken into account when talking about solar energy. One of the major issues surrounding solar energy is the cost effectiveness. For a short-term solution, solar power is very costly compared to fossil and nuclear fuels (Ethical and Moral Aspects of Energy Use, 2020). With the use of solar energy being much more costly, individuals tend to find solar energy in wealthier countries. This will make the wealthier countries safer and the poorer countries still living with dangerous energy sources. The cost of solar energy causes the ethical dilemma of equality and fairness within different countries and energy sources (Ethical and Moral Aspects of Energy Use, 2020). Not only does cost cause an issue, but conservation and energy efficiency also cause ethical challenges.

There are two ways in which individuals can conserve and decrease energy consumption. Those ways are through a decrease in demand or decrease the population of people that are demanding energy (Ethical and Moral Aspects of Energy Use, 2020). This brings up the dilemma concerning individual values such as freedom of choice, property rights, and equal opportunity (Ethical and Moral Aspects of Energy Use, 2020). By taking away individuals energy consumption, they are at a loss and not being treated fairly. This is a major ethical consideration that must be taken into account when dealing with solar energy.

Many people have different views on solar energy and the benefits of it. The issues that are brought up can cause major dilemmas for not only individuals but for countries as a whole. Much thought and consideration must be taken into account when dealing with solar energy and the affects it has on the environment. One question that has to be asked is do the pros outweigh the cons and is solar energy actually more beneficial? Some will say it is and others will say solar energy has too many ethical considerations that must be taken into account.

References

NASA (2018). NASA, Climate Change: How do we know? Retrieved 01/14/2020 from https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

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