Introduction
In a general
sense, fossil fuel can be defined as a source of energy which is formed in the
outside of the earth primarily from decayed organic material. Some of the most
common fossil fuels include petroleum, natural gas and coal (United States
Department of Energy, 2013). Regardless the existence of difference in the
supplies of fossil fuel resources which are used in the production of energy in
different countries and regions around the globe (O’Brien & Woolverton,
2009), it is an apparent fact that fossil fuels have gained increased
importance in the contemporary world. This is founded on the fact that they can
be burned through oxidation to CO2 and water to produce substantial amounts of
energy per unit weight. Nonetheless, despite this urgent position of fossil
fuels in the modern world, they are challenged by wide problems. These include
the fact that they are non-renewable and their limited supply will finish one
day(McLamb, 2011) as well as their harmful impacts on the environment. If
nothing is done about seeking alternative energy sources to substitute fossil
fuels as the primary sources of energy, the prices of petroleum products are
bound to inflate and possible collapse of the food system (Tomkzak, 2006). In
this case, the Renewed alternatives include nuclear energy, hydro-power and
geothermal among other renewable energy sources, some of which are explored
below.
Possible
energy solutions
The most viable
solution is increased investment in alternative energy sources which simply
implies to energy whose production is from sources other than the current
primary energy supply; fossil fuel (McLamb, 2011). This is best epitomized
whereby investments in nuclear energy can be elevated to increase the energy
grid in various countries. Nonetheless, there are some apparent dangers in
increased reliance on nuclear energy, mostly related to the inherent safety
concerns in this energy source as evidenced by Melik (2011). The other solution
is conservation and the use of clean alternative energy sources like biomass,
wind, geothermal, wind as well as hydroelectric energy which have been credited
of being in an ideal niche of ensuring increased energy security into the 21st
century and beyond.
Energy
in Japan: Case study
According to the
World Nuclear News (2012), fossil fuels have been credited of currently
providing some 90 percent of electricity in Japan, mostly occasioned by the
collapse of the nuclear plants which remain shut down. This has culminated into
a situation whereby consumption of crude as well as heavy oil for electricity
purposes has reached a four-year high as evidenced in the following figure
Consumption of crude and heavy fuel oil
in Japan, 2007-2012
Source: World Nuclear News (2012)
On the other hand, the
use of nuclear energy in this country has seen fluctuating trends mostly after
the damaging of a nuclear facility in the north of Tokyo by an 8.9-magnitude
earthquake and tsunami which culminated in the deaths of more than 1,000 people
and at least 10,000 missing (Melik, 2011). The above phenomenon has seen
increased criticism of nuclear energy in Japan by environmental groups and
others who have quickly pointed out that this occurrence was a total
justification of their stand against any form of nuclear-sources energy. However,
supporters of nuclear energy options have continued to insist that this source
of power has the lowest carbon footprint and cited that the latest reactors
which have been established are perfectly safe and key in the production of
sustainable energy which is cost-effective when compared with other methods
(Melik, 2011).
However,
recent times have seen increased planning of alternative energy utilization in
Japan which is projected to address the current and future energy demands. In
this case, hydro, wind and solar energies have spiraled to the top of the
Japanese energy agenda as the popularity of nuclear power continues to decline
(Demetriou, 2011). The above fact is epitomized with the passing of a bill
aimed at promoting renewable energy such as geothermal, solar and wind energy
among others. This new law is bound to oblige power utilities to purchase
renewable sources-generated power at fixed prices, while at the same time
permitting them to pass on some extra costs to the consumers (Demetriou, 2011).
It is thus planned and projected that within the next decade, a total of 20% of
energy supply in Japan will come from renewable energy sources which more than
double of the current share. Additionally, about 30 million buildings in this
country are projected to have solar panels by 2030 (Harlan, 2011).
Conclusion
The
previous analysis has defined the concept of fossil fuels, their importance in
the modern world, the different problems associated with these energy sources
and the alternatives. Additionally, it has explored the possible solutions
energy solutions including nuclear, hydro, solar and wind among other sources.
Lastly, the current fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewable sources usage in
Japan has been investigated joined with the analysis of plans to increase the
use of renewable fuels in the next near future.
References
Demetriou, D.
(2011). Japan's hunt for alternative energy sources - Telegraph. Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph
online, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph. Retrieved May 28,
2013, from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8752902/Japans-hunt-for-alternative-energy-sources.html
Harlan, C.
(2011). Japan takes a shine to renewable energy - Washington Post. Featured
Articles From The Washington Post. Retrieved May 28, 2013, from
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-05-27/world/35232580_1_fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-power-nuclear-plants
McLamb, E. (2011)
Fossils Fuels vs. Renewable Energy | Ecology Global Network. Ecology Global
Network | News and Information for Planet Earth. Retrieved May 28, 2013,
from
http://www.ecology.com/2011/09/06/fossil-fuels-vs-renewable-energy-resources/
Melik, J.
(2011). BBC News - Nuclear power: Energy solution or evil curse?. BBC -
Homepage. Retrieved May 28, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12730473
O’Brien, D.
& Woolverton, M., (2009). World and U.S. Fossil Fuel Supplies -
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. Agricultural Marketing Resource
Center. Retrieved May 28, 2013, from
http://www.agmrc.org/renewable_energy/energy/world-and-u-s-fossil-fuel-supplies
References
Tomkzak, J.
(2006). Implications of Fossil Fuel Dependence for the Food System. Resilience.org.
Retrieved May 28, 2013, from http://www.resilience.org/stories/2006-06-11/implications-fossil-fuel-dependence-food-system
United States
Department of Energy (2013). What are fossil fuels? - Alternative Energy -
ProCon.org. Alternative Energy - ProCon.org. Retrieved May 28, 2013,
from
http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=001245#answer-id-006472
World Nuclear
News (2012). Fossil fuels rule Japan. (2012, January 1). World Nuclear News. Retrieved May 28,
2013, from http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/EE_Fossil_fuels_rule_Japan_3105121.html
APA formatting
by BibMe.org.
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