Given the environmental degradation attributable to the combustion of fossil fuels, a host of countries have promoted the search for greener substitutes. This essay attempts to shed light on both the merits and demerits of this new type of energy before concluding that this is indeed an encouraging development.
On the one hand, turning to power generated from sustainable sources could be fraught with pitfalls. First and foremost, the enormous cost incurred to develop and introduce green energy could put a strain on government coffers. This, therefore, could lead to budget deficits, tax hikes, and reduced social welfare, which could force ordinary citizens, especially the underprivileged, to struggle even more to earn a living. Secondly, despite being free, abundant, and environmentally-friendly, alternative energy sources are very intermittent and dilute. Unlike oil and gas, solar and wind energy can not be stored, which means that in the absence of sunlight and wind, the flows of energy can be easily disrupted, thereby making these sources of power virtually impossible to meet the rapidly growing demand for energy consumption the world over.
Notwithstanding the aforementioned drawbacks, I am convinced that much of the world is still in favor of green power sources because of the following compelling reasons. One rationale in favor of this view is its minimal impact on the environment. This perception could be further clarified by the fact that eco-friendly power sources have an extremely low carbon footprint compared to carbon-intensive energy sources, such as coal and oil, which could greatly mitigate the problem of air pollution. Another justification is the infinity of renewable resources. Specifically, they are created from resources that are practically infinite, which is the answer to the imminent energy crisis in years to come. This acts as a powerful testament to the need for developing and introducing sustainable energy sources.
In conclusion, while it is irrefutable that there are certain hardships and obstacles involved in the quest of green energy, I would contend that the upside of renewable energy sources is far more significant than their downside.