Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependence in the USA

This proposal essay argues that the US government needs to urgently take note of, and control its fossil fuel usage, which is at present, way out of proportion. The paper talks about the different ways by which this problem may be resolved such as through the harnessing of alternative modes of energy production, availing bio fuel, partaking in eco friendly living and using novel hybrid car technology.

Running head: Proposal Essay – REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IN THE USA
Proposal Essay – Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependence in the USA
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PROPOSAL ESSAY – REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IN THE USA
The United States of America is one among many countries of the globe that depends
a great deal on the use of fossil fuel. Recent statistics reveal that fossil fuels such as coal and
petroleum and even natural gas for that matter, continue to dominate the energy consumption
and usage scene in the USA. (Eia.gov, 2018). Using fossil fuel for the purpose of generating
energy is in a way rather problematic. When fossil fuel is made use of excessively in order to
produce energy there are toxic fumes that are released into the environment and which are
later responsible for the degradation of the environment. (Suranovic, 2013). This proposal
essay argues that the US government needs to urgently take note of, and control its fossil fuel
usage, which is at present, way out of proportion. Some of the effective ways to address the
problem of excessive fossil fuel use, are, the promotion of green living or the pursuit of an
eco friendly lifestyle, the use of bio fuel in the place of fossil fuel, harnessing alternative
forms of energy like wind, solar and hydro-electric energy and the use of cars that are
manufactured using new hybrid car technology. Green living or eco friendly living assists in
the conservation of trees and other natural resources since it involves using furniture made of
plywood and the use of solar lighting in the place of neon lights. Bio fuel is a far better
alternative to fossil fuel use as it does not have the high carbon composition that fossil fuel
does. Alternative sources of energy like wind, hydro electric and solar energy are renewable
and hence sustainable unlike fossil fuel, which cannot be replenished easily. Hybrid car
technology constitutes one of the best ways to combat fossil fuel dependence because it
makes extensive use of alternative energy sources to power locomotives instead of fossil fuel
like petroleum.
One of the biggest challenges as far as fossil fuel consumption and use is concerned,
is the terrible impact that it has on the environment, leading to the occurrence of a large
number of unnatural and undesirable environmental phenomena. (Hook & Tang, 2013).

2PROPOSAL ESSAY – REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IN THE USA
Fossil fuel is known to have excessive carbon composition, something that makes it directly
responsible for adverse environmental conditions such as global warming. The more it is
used, the more likely it is for toxic fumes to be released quickly into the environment. Some
of the other environmental issues and problems that also result upon the widespread
dependence on fossil fuels are water and land pollution and also air pollution. (Machol &
Rizk, 2013). Breathing problems like asthma and related problems are known to be a definite
outcome of toxic air pollution which is in a way brought about due to the increasing use of
the fossil fuels. Another good reason to avoid using any fossil fuel is the fact that unlike
renewable sources of energy such as solar energy and wind energy, fossil fuel energy is non-
renewable. Additionally, it needs to be remembered that fossil fuel reserves are not those that
are capable of being replenished naturally. As a result, sustainability is something that can
never be guaranteed as far as fossil fuel use is concerned.
There are indeed a number of different ways by which the reliance on fossil fuel
consumption can be reduced in America. For instance, the government can propagate the idea
of adopting a green lifestyle among its people. Such a way of life will be one that takes
environmental well-being into consideration. More often than not, green living involves using
recycled products and depending on solar panels for electricity production at home,
something that can help American people to bring down their monthly power related
expenses as well. (He & Kua, 2013). Another effective way to engage in green living is to opt
for the use of bamboo furniture rather than furniture items that are manufactured using solid
wood like oak and ebony. By avoiding the use of solid wood furniture people can help to
conserve trees and thus contribute to the wellbeing of the environment (Abhilash &
Sivapragash 2013). Green living can also be implemented by not taking the car to work every
single day, and by choosing instead to board the subway or even walk to work. In doing so,
the average American can easily refrain from the increased use of fossil fuel and be in a

3PROPOSAL ESSAY – REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IN THE USA
position to lead a healthier and inexpensive lifestyle. For instance, going to work or to school
on foot will require a person to spend less on the gas that would otherwise have had to be
procured to get the car running every single morning.
The government can always recommend its people to make extensive use of
alternative forms of fuel such as bio-diesel so that the unnecessary and problematic
dependence on fossil fuel can be curtailed to some extent. (Charles et.al, 2013). If bio fuel
such as Ethanol as well as Bio-diesel were used to power a car instead of conventional car
fuels like petrol, then the problem of air pollution will be far lower than what it is at the
moment. Both Bio-diesel and Ethanol do not have to be adjusted or modified in terms of
composition in order to be successfully used. (Martins & Lanzanova, 2015). The bio fuels in
the market that can be used always as an alternative to the dangerous fossil fuels are also
quite readily available and make it possible for people to run their cars and bikes as easily as
they could have using fossil fuel, but without causing any harm to their natural environment.
Efforts may also be undertaken by the government to lower the dependence on fossil
fuels by harnessing different and alternative energy sources like wind energy, hydro-electric
power and solar energy. (Mostafaeipour, 2013). Wind energy can be harnessed by trapping
the kinetic energy of wind using a turbine and then converting this energy into electricity.
Solar energy may be harnessed by trapping the rays of the sun using photo voltaic cells and
then proceeding to convert these UV rays into electricity. Hydro electric power can be
generated by placing flowing water through a turbine that spins an electric rotator which in
turn creates the kind of magnetic field that is required in order to generate electric energy
from the water. There are quite a number of benefits associated with the use of alternative
forms of energy rather than fossil fuel. For instance, the alternative energy sources like wind,
water and solar energy do not contain carbon and thus prevent any toxicity from spreading
into the environment when these are used. Conventional forms of air pollution like smog for

4PROPOSAL ESSAY – REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IN THE USA
example, can be prevented when using alternative energy sources. The alternative forms of
energy also have an important role to play in contributing to improved public health. If
people don’t have to inhale toxic air, it is more than likely that they will lead a healthier life.
Much of the health issues that occur these days, especially asthma, excessive coughing and
allergic conditions like excessive sneezing are an inevitable consequence of air pollution.
Another huge advantage of using alternative energy is that it is renewable. Alternative energy
does not get exhausted in the way that fossil fuel energy does. It can be replenished easily as
it is entirely natural in its composition. The sources of such energy are naturally available and
can be tapped whenever necessary. The use of alternative energy is definitely required to
combat fossil fuel use as this can also lead to a reduction in energy prices on the whole. If
more and more people turned to using alternative energy sources, the price of fossil fuel itself
would come down by a considerable extent (Siles-Evans et.al, 2013).
The US government should make known to its people the various benefits that are
associated with new car technology like the hybrid car technology to control fossil fuel
dependence. It should sanction the use of such technology in the manufacture of automobiles,
as this is car technology that deploys numerous alternative power sources for energy
production. (Axsen & Kurani, 2013). While the cars that are manufactured using such
technology are usually more expensive to buy, the fact that they reduce a person’s
dependence on using fossil fuel, in addition to the extensive shelf life of such cars, makes
their use something that is much needed in the US today. People can end up using such cars
for several years on end without having to get them replaced. The use of hybrid car
technology is something that can prove to be particularly useful for those who need to drive
their vehicles over very long distances to go to work. Such people can successfully prevent
dangerous toxic fumes from getting released into the environment, and thus avoid
contributing to air pollution, something that would not have been possible at all had they used

5PROPOSAL ESSAY – REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IN THE USA
fossil fuel to provide their vehicles with the energy that is required to move from one location
to another.
The widespread use of fossil fuel in the USA has contributed to a significant rise in
air, land and water pollution in the country, and this paper has talked about the different ways
by which this problem may be resolved such as through the harnessing of alternative modes
of energy production, availing bio fuel, partaking in eco friendly living and using novel
hybrid car technology. Choosing to go green and lead an environment friendly life by
refraining from using fossil fuel, to generate electricity at home and using solar panels
instead, using carbon free bio fuel in the place of fossil fuels like petrol, to get cars and bikes
running successfully, making extensive use of alternative, renewable and consequently
sustainable forms of energy like wind, solar and water or hydro electric energy instead of
fossil fuel which gets exhausted easily, and driving vehicles that are manufactured using
hybrid car technology, which in turn makes extensive use of alternative and renewable energy
sources, can all definitely go a very long way in ensuring a cleaner, healthier and pollution
free America.

6PROPOSAL ESSAY – REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IN THE USA
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7PROPOSAL ESSAY – REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IN THE USA
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