By: Kabeya J. Kabongo
The latest revolution that the human
race experienced was, and is notably the information age. The
information age is also commonly referred to as the computer age or
digital age. We underwent a drastic change. That change was from an
age of industrialization to a bright, new age of information
computerization. The term “digital revolution” is associated
with “Information Age”, just as the term “industrial
revolution” is associated with “industrial age.” With an
increased worldwide focus on alternative and renewable energy, there
is room to speculate that maybe the next age could possibly be named
the “Alternative/Renewable Energy Age,” furthermore the “Energy
Revolution.”
In America and abroad, J.P. Morgan
alone has invested 3.8 billion dollars and raised another 3.9 billion
dollars for numerous renewable energy projects. They have had a hand
in financing approximately one hundred wind power projects in twenty
different states. J.P. Morgan has also invested in a number of solar
power projects including photovoltaic systems. Photovoltaic systems
use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity.
In China, Suntech Power Holdings Co.,
Ltd produces industry leading solar products for residential,
commercial, industrial and utility applications. Suntech has
delivered more than twenty million photovoltaic panels to over a
thousand customers in more than eighty countries. Suntech is very
motivated in their mission to “provide everyone with reliable
access to nature's cleanest and most abundant energy source.”
Yingli Energy is another China based
company, yet it happens to supply fully vertically integrated
photovoltaic panels to Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South
Korea, China, Japan, Australia, and the United States. One could
assume that Yingli Energy deserves a large amount of credit for the
absolute outbreak of renewable energy research worldwide.
There are numerous other Renewable
Energy researching companies, and several other forms of energy that
have been created or discovered. Quite a few notable scientists
believe that renewable energy is the way of the future, and natural
resources such as gas, oil and other minerals will become obsolete.
If this actually holds up and there is another revolution near,
wouldn’t you want to own shares of stock in the companies which
produce the replacements for the most widely used natural resources
in the world?
Here are some interesting videos that
may capture your attention or tickle your fancy:
Renuable, alternative solutions to provide energy is a very intersting topic. I think that we need to find alternatives because of the depletion of the natural resources we have. Finiding ways to channel the natural energy source that we already have is a great idea. While i think that it is a good idea to power things such as lights and and other small electronics, I think the amuont of energy it would take to power a car or a large unit that requires substantial amounts of energy would be a challenge. Its amazing how the guy who made the car had the idea 30 years ago and is just now being recognized. I hope to see this in the near future.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing Post!
I think that renewable energy is a very possible solution to many of the globes energy problems; however I feel that it is not a very practical solution because of the amount of money it would take not only to develop and research the renewable energy but also the even more enormous sum of money that it would cost to replace all of the products, ideas and systems that have utilized natural resources for the past several centuries in every culture.
ReplyDeleteAfter taking a sociology class on my Semester at Sea trip, I learned that we must pursue renewable energy in order to preserve the environment. There is a lack of natural resources and eventually the world will run itself dry. A result of human activity and negligence is global warming, and the only way to reverse the negative affects is through renewable energy alternatives. People must understand the toll that is being taken on the environment, and work to decrease their carbon footprints.
ReplyDeleteI dont know about that car but it is good to see that there is a transition being made from fossil fuels, coal and nuclear energy to renewable environmental friendly resources. We are all aware that these are all great sources of energy but can cause major damage to our environment. I remember recently reading a article about the amount of particles there are in the air somewhere in China being so high that you would be foolish to not have on a mask when your outside because the particles in the air are so high that it will cause major damage to your lungs.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
The idea of renewable energy is rooted in progressivism and optimism. The first idea, progressivism is the a product of a social continuum that has throughout history propelled society forward. In order in order to progress to higher level of efficiency science often provides us with the answers as to what our next steps as human beings should be in order to preserve our planet. The second idea, optimism is connected to the topic of renewable energy because of the underlying economics of the issue. in the 19th and early 20th centuries much of America's foundational wealth was established from the refining of oil ore. That wealth is still deeply seated and therefore in many ways is positioned to prevent the change from oil to more sustainable renewable energy sources. I do believe we should invest. My question is, will we?
ReplyDeleteThe following link covers viewpoints on oil companies and the topic of renewable energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50u4WMu0kjA
Great post. Renewable energy and sustainability are unfortunately too "long term" for a lot of people to care about. A lot of people don't see the immediate benefit when honestly, it's not about an immediate benefit.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting thought - What is going to happen to oil companies, their jobs, and field operations when it's time to make that shift? What is going to happen to the auto industry that is hardly accommodating to the green movement?
Great Post! Renewable/alternative energy is a very interesting field of study/investment. It is a diverse stock portfolio option, meaning that it ranges from a "high risk high reward" opportunity to a "low risk high stability" type of stock. Many people shy away from investing in renewable energy because they thing it is too long term of an investment. I do not believe that there is such a thing, none the less, if such a thing were true still believe that even ass a long term investment, alternative energy is a wise investment opportunity.
ReplyDeletegreat job but what are some efforts to make the public more aware of these renewable sources of energy? is the usa leading in renewable energy? what would make the us a better contributor to the cause?
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to start to move into alternative/more renewable energy sources, but that is unlikely to happen unless there is some sort of government mandate. These new methods of getting energy just cost to much to implement, or are simply more expensive than the methods we currently use. Companies today blatantly go over the EPA's regulatory standards and just pay the fine, because the fine is cheaper than the introduction and implementation costs of utilizing alternative energy options.
ReplyDeleteI will post bullet points of concepts covered in καυστήρες pellet class, Powerpoints shown in class and links to relevant videos.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Kabeya, though renewable energy would be very beneficial i agree that renewable energy and sustainability are unfortunately too "long term" for a lot of people to care about. A lot of people don't see the immediate benefit which pushes this back as a lesser priority. What are some ways to make people more aware?
ReplyDelete