Becker P.D. (Ed.) Alternative Energy

Gale Cengage Learning, 2010. 133 p. — ISBN 978-0-7377-4499-6.Several articles discuss issues surrounding renewable resources.Energy continues to be one of the most hotly debated topics in America today. Public discussion often focuses on issues related to Americans’ use of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gasoline. With topics like gasoline prices and global warming in the news almost every day, Americans are also talking about alternative sources of energy that could replace fossil fuels. These alternative energies include solar, wind, and water power, and fuel made from trees, plants, and waste products. History tells us that these sources of energy, now viewed as alternatives, were once the primary sources of energy used by people to heat their homes, cook their food, and do their work. A look at the changing use of energy over time can help in understanding how Americans became dependent on fossil fuels and how earth’s original sources of energy came to be seen as alternatives.Introduction
Changing to Alternative Energy Is Necessary
Ben Cipiti
Oil Independence Is Possible
Benjamin K. Sovacool
Oil Independence Is Not a Realistic Goal
Paul Roberts
Biofuel Is a Good Alternative Energy Source
David Morris
Biofuel Is Not a Good Alternative Energy Source
Eric Holt-Giménez
Nuclear Power Is a Good Alternative Energy Source
Patrick Moore
Nuclear Power Is Risky and Expensive
Christian Parenti
Hydrogen Fuel Cells Are a Good Alternative to Gasoline
Jerry Brown, Rinaldo Brutoco, and James Cusumano
Hydrogen Fuel Cells Are Not a Good Alternative to Gasoline
Charlie White
Solar Power Is a Good Alternative for Making Electricity
Bruce Allen
Solar Power Is Not a Good Alternative for Making Electricity
Otis A. Glazebrook IV
Wind Power Is a Good Alternative for Making Electricity
Charles Komanoff
Wind Power Is Not a Good Alternative for Making Electricity
Glenn Schleede
Wave Power Could Become a Good Alternative for Making Electricity
Stan Freeman
Geothermal Power Could Become a Good Alternative for Making Electricity
Ken Silverstein
Appendix
What You Should Know About Alternative Energy
What You Should Do About Alternative Energy
Organizations to Contact
Bibliography
Index
Picture Credits