Can we Replace the Fossil Fuels? (Essay Sample)

Can alternative sources of energy replace fossil fuels?
Student name
Institution
There has been concerted efforts in the globe to curb the use of fossil fuels as the primary source of propulsion energy. Governments and companies are pumping billions of dollars in the research and development of alternative sources of energy that are efficient, and friendly to the environment. However there are many people who are skeptical of the efforts. They argue that we are not near the breakthrough to have the alterative replacement for the fossil fuels
According to CITATION Exx08 \l 1033 (ExxonMobil, 2008) the alternative source of energy are too far expensive than the fossil fuels. The corporation further holds that the sources of the alternative sources of energy, the wind, solar, biofuels and the nuclear energy makes a very negligible contribution to the global energy requirements. It also argue that the demand for the fossil fuels with continent for decades to come despite the climate change concerns being raised
The cost component of the alternative sources of energy come into comparison with the existing outraces here. A belief in this premise would make one see that the existing cost are too expensive and would lead to a more expensive energy source than it is currently. It also shows we have long way to go to make the energy extraction and use affordable. This is possible since the technologies necessary to harness the energies are not widespread and may still be in the initial stages of development
Another argument against the alternative energies replacing the fossil fuels is by CITATION JRo08 \l 1033 (J. Robinson West, 2008) who is the chairman and the founder of PFC. He is of the opinion that the politician are engaging in gimmicks to deceive the public that a new energy source has been achieve. These politician pose in hydrogen driven vehicles. These technologies are only theoretical but not practically possible. The chairman comprehensively sates that there exist no alternative form of fuel that is so efficient and reliable than oil. This is due to the large scale industrial requirements of the fuel. This capacity cannot be aptly met by any other fuel source. In addition, there is no know large scale industrial production of the alternative sources of fuels anywhere in the globe
The interesting issue being raised by Mr. Robinson is the lies and untruthfulness of the politicians in the current world. These politicians have been known to be of double speak and conspire to tell the public a lie in order to gain a political mileage. The opinion, if believed would make one see that the issues of alternative sources of energy being proclaimed to be able to fuel vehicles is still in the experimental stages and no advancement is yet made. It would also make one realize the insincerity of the leaders in addressing this issue. This could be possible considering the past instances of the political double speak and if the pronouncements of the new energies is made to the public during political heat times such as election periods
Thirdly, the replacements of the alternative sources may not be possible as the world operates a free market strategy. The market accepts the economically attractive sources of energy and is very skeptical of any other form energy being proposed, whose applicability has not been proved. The fossil fuels are highly concentrated as well as easy to package and cheaper to extract. On the other hand, the alternative sources are dispersed and are hectic to transport and require huge capital investments to harness. For the energies to be affordable, there must be government subsidies which is unnecessary cost. The federal government has not been able to achieve this fact due to the unreliability of the alternative sources of energy. In addition, these sources of energy even if harnessed may only be used in the production of electricity alone and cannot be used as a means of propulsion. They therefore may not be used in the engines of every moving vehicle CITATION Jer07 \l 1033 (Taylor, 2007).
This view is bringing the idea of the market force in determine what sells in the market and what doesn’t. It therefore raise issues that the fossil fuels may continue to be in use because the market is demanding it and that the people are apprehensive of the new sources of energy. It also interestingly...