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The Problem
“The world is coming to the realization that there are unfixable problems with oil as an energy source, and that oil alternatives must be found and implemented.”
“Oil Closes Over $100 for 1st Time! Supply, Financial Factors Cited in Spike” read the headline of the Washington Post special report section on February 20, 2008. With the price of oil skyrocketing, the prospect of alternative fuels has shifted from an academic question to an important consideration throughout the world. Regardless of whether or not the oil price spike is here to stay, the world is coming to the realization that there are unfixable problems with oil as an energy source, and that oil alternatives must be found and implemented.
The Solution
Photo credit: 摩根Fortunately, a viable solution to many of these problems is available today: ethanol fuel. Ethanol fuel is a safe, clean, and efficient alternative to oil. The fuel is already used in limited amounts in the United States, and is extensively used in other countries, such as Brazil. These uses have demonstrated the viability of ethanol. Based on these examples, it is clear that it is both safe and prudent for the nation to choose to focus on ethanol for energy development in order to ensure the successful transition of the critical transportation industry from the fossil fuels of the last century to the future fuels of the next.
The Stakes
At the heart of our modern lifestyle is energy. Energy powers our homes, our cars, our workplaces; nearly every aspect of our lives relies on some sort of energy. However, energy has become a double-edged sword. On the one hand it benefits nearly every aspect of our lives. On the other hand, our need for energy from fossil fuels like oil raises questions about our future energy supply, pollutes the environment, and threatens our future energy security.
“In the coming technological revolutions, fossil fuels will not be able to play the part they have played in the past.”
The world is on the brink of great changes and developments in the future, perhaps even greater changes than those that we have already experienced. A myriad of new technologies promise to change and transform daily life. However, in the coming technological revolutions, fossil fuels will not be able to play the part they have played in the past. Instead, the United States, along with other nations, must choose to make an investment in ethanol and base the coming technological progress on this new fuel in order to meet the energy needs of our rapidly developing world.