Alternative sources of energy
Alternative energy refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences such for example fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be "free" energy sources. They all have lower carbon emissions, compared to conventional energy sources. These include Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy sources. Combined with the use of recycling, the use of clean alternative energies such as the home use of solar power systems will help ensure man's survival in the 21st century and beyond.
The industrialized nations worldwide has caused catastrophic results to our environment such as Acid Rain, Ozone depletion, and Global Warming.
Acid Rain is the result of the emissions of sulphates and nitrates into the atmosphere from the burning coal to produce electricity and deposited to the earths surfaces as an acid. In an unpolluted atmosphere carbon dioxide, the oxides of sulphur and oxides of nitrogen give a rainwater a pH of 5.5 to 5.0. However in heavily industrialised areas the concentration of these gases increases in the atmosphere and the pH of rain can be as low as 4.o which is approximately 10 times more acidic than rain in unpolluted conditions. This is referred to as acid rain. Studies have proven that acid rain does come from the coal burning plants from the mid-west US region and deposited in the mid-atlantic, eastern states, and Canada.
As acid rain percolates through the soil it leaches out essential nutrients required plants resulting in loss of forest areas. Furthermore, the sulphate ions in acid rain combine with aluminium compounds on the soils which are carries to the waterways and causes aluminium hydroxide to precipitate on fish gills prevent fish from taking in oxygen causing massive fish kill in areas. Acid rain can also cause corrosion of metals in bridges, houses and vehicles, reduction in growth of trees and...