Modified:
08 Oct 2008
by Admin

Vote totals:

Yes:

100%

No:

0%

Neutral:

0%

 
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DEBATE: ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES

One of the most controversial issues of today is energy. Prices have been skyrocketing week after week and they are only predicted to rise even more. Right now our most dependent resource is oil, which we currently have to mainly have imported to us. With the amount of oil depreciating, costs are steadily increasing. It has finally been brought to attention that something needs to be done.





ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES


Wind Farms


Wind Farms in windy states could be a large, useful way to use a states natural resources to be turned into energy.

Windfarms are not aesthetically pleasing and can form a blot on the landscape.


What do you think?  Vote on this point below.
Absolutely Yes
Strongly Yes
Mostly Yes
Partially Yes
Neutral
Partially No
Mostly No
Strongly No
Absolutely No

ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES


Ethanol


Ethanol is a renewable octane-boosting fuel additive derived from corn. It reduces toxic emissions from gasoline engines and has been widely accepted as a cleaner, “greener” alternative to other fuel additives .



ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES


Solar Energy


Solar energy is a great alternative energy source on a large and also a small scale. It is not just limited to a large solar panel field, but individual home owners can have them installed to provide energy for their own house.

production of polysilicon for panels gives off a highly toxic byproduct called silicon tetrachloride. factories are rushing to alleviate a polysilicon shortage that’s cramping the global solar-panel industry, the bubbly white liquid is often just dumped in nearby villages. The land where you dump or bury [silicon tetrachloride] will be infertile. No grass or trees will grow in the place. It is poisonous, and it IS polluting. While silicon tetrachloride can be recycled, It can only be achieved with significant investment cost, time, and energy consumption.


What do you think?  Vote on this point below.
Absolutely Yes
Strongly Yes
Mostly Yes
Partially Yes
Neutral
Partially No
Mostly No
Strongly No
Absolutely No

ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES


Wind Farms are easily damaged


In high winds, ironically, the turbines must be stopped because they are easily damaged. Build-up of dead bugs has been shown to halve the maximum power generated by a wind turbine, reducing the average power generated by 25% and more.



ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES


Ethanol would make for a water shortage.


With the demand of all the water that would be needed for the growth of more corn, it would lead to a shortage of water for the citizens. America relies on an underground water supply, which is the same place the corn would get their water from.



ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES


Solar Energy problems


There are two basic problems that arrive when thinking about solar energy that is holding it back on a large scale: the high cost of technology and energy intensity.



ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES


Biofuel the solution?


Biofuel is the new buzz word. A significant part of Amazon Rainforest has been cleared for the plantation of food crops. Yet, these crops are not meant for food consumption, they are new sources of fuel in energy consumption. It is true that burning biofuel for energy produces less carbon dioxide than burning coal. However, the planting of biofuel crops is far from an environmentally-friendly method. Trees are cleared to make way for crops. The former is part of the 'lungs' of our planet. Trees take in carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen. Removing trees reduces the amount of carbon dioxide taken in. It is reported that the destruction of forests and its detrimental effects on carbon dioxide absorption are a greater threat to global warming than the continuation of the use of non-renewable and pollutive energy resources. Biofuel has to be improved further. Until then, it is not a feasible alternative energy source.




Vote on the overall debate: Alternate Energy Sources

What do you think?  Vote on this debate below.
Absolutely Yes
Strongly Yes
Mostly Yes
Partially Yes
Neutral
Partially No
Mostly No
Strongly No
Absolutely No
1. Wind Farms
# 1

Wind Farms in windy states could be a large, useful way to use a states natural resources to be turned into energy.

dhc

|

21:25, 12 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367


# 2

Windfarms are not aesthetically pleasing and can form a blot on the landscape.

dhc

|

21:25, 12 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367



2. Ethanol
# 1

Ethanol is a renewable octane-boosting fuel additive derived from corn. It reduces toxic emissions from gasoline engines and has been widely accepted as a cleaner, “greener” alternative to other fuel additives .

dhc

|

21:26, 12 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367



3. Solar Energy
# 1

Solar energy is a great alternative energy source on a large and also a small scale. It is not just limited to a large solar panel field, but individual home owners can have them installed to provide energy for their own house.

dhc

|

21:27, 12 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367


# 2

production of polysilicon for panels gives off a highly toxic byproduct called silicon tetrachloride. factories are rushing to alleviate a polysilicon shortage that’s cramping the global solar-panel industry, the bubbly white liquid is often just dumped in nearby villages. The land where you dump or bury [silicon tetrachloride] will be infertile. No grass or trees will grow in the place. It is poisonous, and it IS polluting. While silicon tetrachloride can be recycled, It can only be achieved with significant investment cost, time, and energy consumption.

dhc

|

21:27, 12 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367



1. Wind Farms are easily damaged
# 1

In high winds, ironically, the turbines must be stopped because they are easily damaged. Build-up of dead bugs has been shown to halve the maximum power generated by a wind turbine, reducing the average power generated by 25% and more.

dhc

|

21:31, 12 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367



2. Ethanol would make for a water shortage.
# 1

With the demand of all the water that would be needed for the growth of more corn, it would lead to a shortage of water for the citizens. America relies on an underground water supply, which is the same place the corn would get their water from.

dhc

|

21:37, 12 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367



3. Solar Energy problems
# 1

There are two basic problems that arrive when thinking about solar energy that is holding it back on a large scale: the high cost of technology and energy intensity.

dhc

|

21:40, 12 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367



4. Biofuel the solution?
# 1

Biofuel is the new buzz word. A significant part of Amazon Rainforest has been cleared for the plantation of food crops. Yet, these crops are not meant for food consumption, they are new sources of fuel in energy consumption. It is true that burning biofuel for energy produces less carbon dioxide than burning coal. However, the planting of biofuel crops is far from an environmentally-friendly method. Trees are cleared to make way for crops. The former is part of the 'lungs' of our planet. Trees take in carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen. Removing trees reduces the amount of carbon dioxide taken in. It is reported that the destruction of forests and its detrimental effects on carbon dioxide absorption are a greater threat to global warming than the continuation of the use of non-renewable and pollutive energy resources. Biofuel has to be improved further. Until then, it is not a feasible alternative energy source.

dhc

|

20:44, 13 May 08

|

Karma Score: 1367



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