Benefits of Alternative Fuels
... To continue as a flourishing civilization, the conversion from petroleum to alternative fuels will be necessary. Alternative fuels can benefit human civilization and the quality of our world without destroying the environment. ... For example, the incidence of skin cancer is increasing every year, largely because of ozone depletion and global warming, both of which are directly related to the burning of fossil fuels. ... In urban areas, particulate matter from fossil fuels contributes to asthma and other respiratory illnesses. ... Alternative fuels are a direct approach to limiting the amount of pollution humans put into the environment. ... The Alternative Choice There are many fuels that are environmentally friendly and will reduce our dependence on petroleum. Transportation has the greatest ability to be changed with the use of alternative fuels. ... In general, these fuels decrease pollution by emitting fewer hydrocarbons, decreasing the build up of carbon dioxide, and reducing particulate matter. If consumers will accept new fuel vehicles and clean burning fuels, the destruction caused by petroleum could be reduced. Ethanol Ethanol is a promising alternative to petroleum. ... The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized that the use of ethanol-blended fuels can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 30%, greenhouse gases by 35-46%, particulate emissions by 20%, and carbon monoxide by 40% as compared to petroleum products. ... Bio-diesel Bio-diesel is another alternative fuel option that eliminates many of the destructive effects of petroleum. ... Bio-Fuels Research Co-op, in Sebastopol, California, gets vegetable oil from a local vegetable oil factory and makes it available to the 40 members of the co-op. ... A large step towards alternative fuel vehicles could be made if auto manufacturers, the government and local organizations came together and made bio-diesel a convenient and reliable fuel. ... Electric cars would be a great alternative to petroleum if the power industries would take an environmentally friendly turn in producing electricity. ... If these vehicles are properly marketed, they could lead the way in the conversion to alternative fuels of the future such as hydrogen. Hydrogen Hydrogen fuel may play an important role in the development of alternative fuel vehicles over the next decade. ... Conclusion The conversion to alternative fuels will decrease environmental destruction while still enabling the positive advances we have made in transportation. In general, the most important aspect of converting to alternative fuel vehicles is to make sure that the process of making the fuel is environmentally friendly. ... Alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, if properly integrated into the world market, will reform the transportation systems of our world. ... Consumers will have to accept the new vehicles and fuels, and industries will have to ensure their availability in order for the conversion to be successful. The conversion will take a concerted effort by all of society, but the switch to clean fuels will be the most conceivable way for us to reduce our world pollution.