Many countries around the world still rely heavily on the use of fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – as their primary sources of power. However, some countries are making strides in the use of greener energy alternatives, including solar, wind and water. While I admit that this shift brings a major demerit, I still consider this phenomenon as largely advantageous.
The primary case against the utilization of cleaner sources of power is their cost, both of acquisition and of service. The technology is still developing, meaning that there are only a few mass manufacturers of devices that harness power from nature. This shortage of supply, in turn, increases prices for such devices, making the purchase of them prohibitively expensive for the majority, especially for those in the developing world. Additionally, the cost of maintenance for such new technology tends to be quite out of reach, because of the lack of specialists in the field. It is only a matter of time before the devices are produced on a larger scale and specialists are prepared that we see price reductions in installation and upkeep.
Notwithstanding the cost, I believe that the trend towards cleaner energy sources is a change for the better. This is firstly because of substantial environmental benefits. It is common knowledge that the massive consumption of fossil fuels has exacerbated global environmental issues, including climate change and global warming. Therefore, moving away from these in favor of solar and wind power can cut down on the amount of pollutants discharged, thus minimizing the human impact on the environment. Beyond environmental effects, these new methods of energy acquisition ensure energy security. By focusing on renewable power sources, we will be building a sufficient supply of energy for future generations, since fossil fuel reserves are finite and might end soon given the current consumption rates. Therefore, not only is this move responsible and considerate of others, but also it is sustainable.
In conclusion, costs associated with purchasing alternative power devices seem to be the main impediment to this change. Nevertheless, I am in favor of this development because of substantial contributions to alleviating environmental issues and to improving energy security for the future.