Among the pressing concerns currently facing the first world nations in particular is the drive to discover and harness safer and better power sources. We have continually refined our methods of generating power over several centuries, and the approaches are getting better. The goal is as it has always been: Find a way to create clean energy, so that waste product is not an issue.
Strangely enough, the most primitive of all power generation is perhaps the most environmentally responsible. In many parts of the world, particularly in Asia, livestock is still used to perform many tasks. Fields are worked by teams of oxen, and mules may be harnessed to turn grinding stones or operate pumps. At its most basic level, human effort is still one of the best ways to perform work.
This approach is great for small communities or homesteads, but it won't be efficient enough to produce large amounts of electricity. Even a little apartment complex will easily require more power than can possibly be produced by an animal driven plant.
For the most part, we still rely on coal burning stations. This is one of the most obvious sources of pollution in the developed world. It is estimated that thousands of people die each year in the United States alone from respiratory problems associated with the mercury laden waste generated by these power plants.
A more environmentally responsible approach to the generation of electricity has been found in hydroelectric stations. While they do not directly pollute the atmosphere, the need to build dams, redirect water flows, and create reservoirs can have tremendous negative impact on indigenous water life. In addition, the long range consequences of restructuring the natural watercourses can be severe.
A third, more modern option involves the use of nuclear generating stations. Unfortunately, many people oppose nuclear power on paranoid and uneducated grounds. They think that the plant will blow up and ruin everything. They only know the name Chernobyl and not the name Darlington. Nuclear stations hardly ever fail. The actual problem with this sort of generation is that we don't know what to do with all the highly dangerous radioactive waste.
The two most promising contenders for the crown of ecologically sensitive power generation are wind farming and solar collecting. There is some interest in tidal power generation, but this is obviously only going to be any good in places that have coastal areas.
Trying to build sufficient wind and solar generating centers is not as easy at it might sound. Even though these are environmentally friendly, or as much as they can be, there will always be negative consequences from human development. Migrating birds might be affected by a wind farm, and little indigenous lizards might find themselves out of their food if a photovoltaic array is built. There are always consequences. Luckily, we seem to be at a stage in our development where we recognize this and do our best to minimize any bad outcomes in our search for clean energy.
Strangely enough, the most primitive of all power generation is perhaps the most environmentally responsible. In many parts of the world, particularly in Asia, livestock is still used to perform many tasks. Fields are worked by teams of oxen, and mules may be harnessed to turn grinding stones or operate pumps. At its most basic level, human effort is still one of the best ways to perform work.
This approach is great for small communities or homesteads, but it won't be efficient enough to produce large amounts of electricity. Even a little apartment complex will easily require more power than can possibly be produced by an animal driven plant.
For the most part, we still rely on coal burning stations. This is one of the most obvious sources of pollution in the developed world. It is estimated that thousands of people die each year in the United States alone from respiratory problems associated with the mercury laden waste generated by these power plants.
A more environmentally responsible approach to the generation of electricity has been found in hydroelectric stations. While they do not directly pollute the atmosphere, the need to build dams, redirect water flows, and create reservoirs can have tremendous negative impact on indigenous water life. In addition, the long range consequences of restructuring the natural watercourses can be severe.
A third, more modern option involves the use of nuclear generating stations. Unfortunately, many people oppose nuclear power on paranoid and uneducated grounds. They think that the plant will blow up and ruin everything. They only know the name Chernobyl and not the name Darlington. Nuclear stations hardly ever fail. The actual problem with this sort of generation is that we don't know what to do with all the highly dangerous radioactive waste.
The two most promising contenders for the crown of ecologically sensitive power generation are wind farming and solar collecting. There is some interest in tidal power generation, but this is obviously only going to be any good in places that have coastal areas.
Trying to build sufficient wind and solar generating centers is not as easy at it might sound. Even though these are environmentally friendly, or as much as they can be, there will always be negative consequences from human development. Migrating birds might be affected by a wind farm, and little indigenous lizards might find themselves out of their food if a photovoltaic array is built. There are always consequences. Luckily, we seem to be at a stage in our development where we recognize this and do our best to minimize any bad outcomes in our search for clean energy.
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