Summary: Bill Gates, along with many others, believe that we can "invent our way out of climate change." Huge loads of cash are spent (or some would say wasted) on trying to find one energy source that can cut our dependance on fossil fuels, have no harmful emmisions, and no dangerous byprouducts. Gates is optimistic that an energy source like this is possibly . In a journal report Gates called solar energy "cute", and saying it was rather ineffective. He thinks money would be better spent looking into nuclear power. The article goes on to explain some advances madew in the nuclear energy department, some of which were funded in part be Gates.
Reflection: I agree with Bill Gates on some of his arguement and disagree on other parts. I do think we should invest more in renewable energies. Fossil Fuels will run out and deteriorate the environment, and we definitely think they should be replaced. Until we do invent our way out of the climate change other alternative energies must be used. I disagree, however, with the use of nuclear power. I understand safety improvements are being made, but I still don't trust it. In class I had the role of "environmentalist" for nuclear power, so I know all the risks involved in this energy source. Until there is a completely safe way to dispose of nuclear waste we will have to rely on alternate sources.
Questions:
1. How much more powerful is nuclear energy than solar energy?
2. What scientists are looking into this "Ultimate" energy source?
3. Does Bill Gates get his electricity from nuclear power?
4. Who else is with Bill Gates?
5. What is the safest, most powerful alternative energy right now?
I have to completely disagree with Bill Gates on most of his opinions. I think it would be great to have a renewable energy source with no byproducts or emissions, as Gates said. However, I think that we will never find that "perfect" energy source. We have discovered numerous ways to create electricity, yet they all have a flaw, and we have probably already discovered the best options possible. Also, nuclear energy is great, but it poses a high risk of radiation, which puts it on the same level as Solar energy, which I don't think "cute" is a good description for it.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds of an advertisement I saw in a magazine because the ad said that "fossil fuels are ruining our air. Go green and Go Solar!" This and Gates's argument are similar, because they are using their own opinion to downgrade one source of energy, while enhancing their own with facts.
Question 5: Assuming money is no object, Solar or Wind energy are the two safest and most powerful energy sources. They serve no threat at all, yet is purchased in large quantities, the wind turbines/solar cells can gather a lot of power. This is only assuming money can be freely spent, because this can be costly.
I partially agree with Bill Gates. I think that we do have to find a differnt alternative energy before the fossil fuels run out. I disagree with Gats about his views on solar energy. I think that solar energy works fine. Also, I do not agree with Gates about how we should build more nuclear power plants. Those power plants would cause a higher risk for a catastrophe. This relates to me because now, whenever a see a solar energy panel, I will think about why Bill Gates does not like solar energy.
ReplyDelete1. What does Bill Gates have against Solar Energy?
2. Why does Bill Gates like Nuclear energy more than Geothermal energy?
3. How does Bill Gates plan to invent our way out of theclimate change?
I agree with Matt. The use of just fossil fuels isn't helping the envirment, but necular power can be just as bad can't it? And even with the saftey measures isn't it also a nonrenwable reesoucre, becasue the uranium can't be made? I think nuclear pwoer maybe isn't the way to go.
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
1)Why not other energy soucres like hydropower?
2)What does the time frame Bill Gates expects this to happen?
3)How much would all that nucealr power cost?
I think its ignorant of Bill Gates to say that solar energy is “cute” like it can’t be a way for us to produce a significant amount of power and energy. We really need to cut the use of fossil fuels and become less dependent, by funding these alternative energies. Americans should be investing in these clean types of energy because soon our fossil fuels will be depleted and future generations will have to find the solution. Gates thinks we should look more closely at nuclear energy, but it seems like it has a large amount of effects that are harmful. Bill Gates could easily be the one funding these alternative energies, but he is not thinking about the future. I was the economist for the solar energy group and I know that solar energy can have a big impact. They produce a lot of energy if you are in a sunny region. Also they will save you money in the long run.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to #5:
There isn’t really one alternative energy that outshines the rest. They all have pro’s and con’s that are extremely different in their own way. Wind and solar are really good choices because they do not produce any byproducts and are effective, but can be extremely expensive for the initial investment.