The Future of Energy

The Future of Energy:

Guiding Decisions with Evidence

Unit 4 Assignment

It is necessary in today’s climate to research, consider and utilize all possible methods of renewable energy resources to live in a more eco-friendly environment as well as to reduce expenses related to the consumption of energy. Additionally we need to reduce our daily dependence upon oil in order to protect our environment from the ever present threat of global warming.

I rely on various forms of energy as I go about my daily routines. At home I have to rely on electrical energy as well as natural gas to handle my daily needs of heat, cooling, cooking and even bathing. Also, a consideration of usages within my home is the part that petroleum resources play in the manufacture of many things such as plastics used within my home. During travel to and from any desired destination I rely daily upon the natural resources of petroleum. The reliance I place upon the use of energy while at work and/or at school are similar in many respects to my use for energy within my home, heating, cooking, etc.

There are variations in the consumption of natural resources that I utilize on a daily basis over the course of a year. With regard to petroleum resources I am affected, as all are, with the ever changing cost of oil per barrel. It seems that there are times within the year that these costs fluctuate to a significant extent which I quickly realize at the gas pump. Further, in the consumption of natural energy resources there are variations in the costs of utility bills that occur during the course of the year. During the coldest winter months as well as the warmest summer months within the State of Oklahoma my utility expenses demonstrate a significant amount of flux.

The energy sources I rely upon in my daily life are not renewable sources of energy. To my knowledge, none of the energy I am constantly using is derivative of sunlight, wind, rain, tides,...