ALTERNATE ENERGY SUBSIDIZATION Assignment

Writing Prompt: The TED TALK article, “Path to the Future,” by Bill Mckibben, journalist turned environmentalist, paints a clear picture of the connection between climate issues and energy consumption. Bill Gates’ talk “Innovating to Zero” boldly proposes his Zero-emission innovations in developed countries. Our world today is facing severe greenhouse effects due to humans’ mindless burning of fossil fuels. What are the best energy solutions to replace fossil fuels? In the past, governments of different countries, including the United States, have spent billions of dollars a year subsidizing renewable energy. There has been an on-going debate by all sectors over whether or not governments should continue subsidizing alternative energy. What’s your take on this issue? In support of or against it? Why?

Running head: ALTERNATE ENRGY SUBSIDIZATION – YES OR NO?
ALTERNATE ENRGY SUBSIDIZATION – YES OR NO?
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Introduction
The change in the global temperature, changes in sea level and other extreme events
affect the amount of energy produced and consumed. Energy used in our daily lives for several
purposes like transportation, cooking, lighting and many more (Simon). Globalization and
modernization have led to several changes globally. With the increase in the competition,
humans are now only focused on profitability at least cost. Humans act blindly while making use
of certain resources that leads to climate issues. Renewable sources of energy are the only option
for a clean environment and the government must continue subsidizing alternative resources.
Discussion
Fossil-Fuel and Global Warming
One of the main reasons contributing to global-warming is fossil-fuels. As per Bill
McKibben, superheating of atmosphere can pose dire consequences if the ongoing trends are not
reversed. Fossil fuels are responsible for the emission of harmful pollutants like benzene and
formaldehyde that causes serious health issues as well. Burning of coal, oil, and gases releases a
large quantity of carbon dioxide that traps heat within the atmosphere thereafter leading to global
warming (Lelieveld et al.). Power and transportation sectors account for 3/4th of the carbon
emission. The coal-fired industries produce around 42% of mercury emissions. Other forms of
emission are carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide (Crutzen et al.). These create
smog that is a harmful climatic condition.
As stated by McKibben, around 2,795 gigatons of carbon dioxide are locked up in the oil
and coal reserves that are global. 71% of the greenhouse gas is emitted by just 100 companies
that are carbon majors. Frozen Greenland is not frozen anymore. 50% of the summer sea ice of
the Arctic is no more as it has melted in the last 30 years (Ding et al.). The oceans have become

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more acidic, around 30% than the normal condition. The statistics of drought and famine are
increasing because water is evaporating at a fast speed. Organizations are well aware of the
negative effects of fossils and fuels in the coming future, yet they chose to continue their
business sacrificing the greater good. Money plays a key role here. The Chase Bank, one of the
biggest banks has lent the fossil fuel industry a lump sum amount of 196 billion dollars.
Climatic Issue and Alternative Energy
The change in the climatic condition affects the demand for energy. An increase in
temperature conditions increases the demand for electricity as people use air conditioners,
coolers, and fans. The use of these types of equipment again, in turn, increases the emission of
greenhouse gases, which further increases global warming (Yuan et al.). If the water evaporates
at a higher rate, then hydropower gets affected. The efficiency of power production will be
reduced. Increase in drought, changes in the rate of precipitation and melting of the ice caps will
affect the water-energy patterns. A rise in the level of sea and storm surges affects the oil drilling
platforms on the sea. An intense storm damages power supply and electric distribution. Railway
beds are washed away by an intense storm and heavy rainfall, which affects the railway
transportation system as well.
Renewable Option Subsidies – Yes or No?
It is evident from the above paragraph that climate issues possess the effect on alternative
energy and to resolve these issues renewable sources of energy should be used. There are three
renewable options Wind, Solar, and Hydroelectricity. Using these resources is costly in many
cases and hence the government should provide subsidization offers on the same to reduce the
negative impact and for a sustainable future (Asmelash). The subsidies bring down the cost curve

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of wind and solar energy. Pollution leads to death. Research by Millstein states the increased use
of wind and solar can reduce 7000 deaths over 10 years.
Many researchers argue that solar and wind costs will reduce to a competitive rate for
subsidization impacting the traditional sources and market. It is also argued that using solar and
wind energy is not as efficient as fossil fuels. The cost of maintaining solar panels and setting up
of hydroelectric pumps and solar panels can be very costly.
However, it must be kept in mind that those investments are one time and with
government support, payment options and subsidized rates sustainable future can be built. The
greater good should be noticed instead of short-term benefits. If subsidies are provided people
can afford these products and this will reduce global warming and pollutions as well as reduce
health impacts as stated above.
Conclusion
It can be concluded from the above paragraph that there is a strong relationship between
climate issues and alternative energies. Renewable energies must be harnessed in place of
harmful energies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission, global warming and health issues
globally. A sustainable future is only possible if the government supports the public and the
companies in using renewable energy resources by providing subsidies and feasible payment
options.

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References
Asmelash, Henok Birhanu. "The Trade and Environment Debate on the Regulation of Energy
Subsidies in the WTO: What Kept Fossil Fuel Subsidies Off the Radar Screen?." Energy Law
and Economics. Springer, Cham, 2018. 275-302.
Crutzen, Paul J., et al. "N 2 O release from agro-biofuel production negates global warming
reduction by replacing fossil fuels." Paul J. Crutzen: A pioneer on atmospheric chemistry and
climate change in the anthropocene. Springer, Cham, 2016. 227-238.
Ding, Yongjian, et al. "Global warming weakening the inherent stability of glaciers and
permafrost." Science Bulletin 64.4 (2019): 245-253.
Lelieveld, J., et al. "Effects of fossil fuel and total anthropogenic emission removal on public
health and climate." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 116.15 (2019): 7192-
7197.
Simon, Christopher A. Alternative energy: political, economic, and social feasibility. Rowman &
Littlefield Publishers, 2020.
Yuan, Zhiyi, et al. "Development and application of a life cycle greenhouse gas emission
analysis model for mobile air conditioning systems." Applied Energy 221 (2018): 161-179.