Natural Resources by Randi Fellwock

PHS 100
Warner Pacific College August 7, 2009
Society can assess natural resources by looking at our wind potential. A study by Harvard University states that potential wind power is a global source of electricity that is assessed by using wind and estimates were given for quantities of electricity that could be obtained by using a network of 3.6-MW turbines set up in the ocean waters at depths of <200 m within 50 nautical miles of closest coastlines. This wind power accounts for 42% of all electrical capacity that is added to the United States electrical system in 2008, this is a small amount of total electricity generating capacity. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s WinD’s model, stated that wind power could account for as much as 25% of U.S. electricity by 2050. Our next resource that we should look at is oil and what potential it has for the future. The peak year for oil field discovery was 1962 and since then the global discovery rate has dropped sharply in all regions. It is implied that the volume of resources yet to be discovered will lie somewhere between zero and infinity and will be found sometime between now and eternity. But whether it will be discovered depends on discovery activity. Another resource we need to look at is our water and how we can save and reduce the use of conventional water resources and also by saving and increasing the use of non-conventional water resources. According to a study in Arab the found ways that can help with water shortages are using water saving devices such as low flow showerheads which is a savings of 5 gallons per day, ultra low flush toilets have a savings of 4.2 gallons per day, faucet aerators, using meters can save 1.5 gallons per day, high efficiency washing machines have a saving of 37% in water and energy and the use of landscape water conservation devices that also saved 50% in water and energy. These are also being practiced here in the United States but a lot of Americans are still not participating to help with our water crisis. Environmental regulations do have an impact on lifestyles in the ways that we are told when to use water, when we can burn, they recommend not driving our cars on smoggy days, the time it takes to recycle plastic bottles, cans, glass and paper products. We all know that this is good for the environment and although some of the items are not enforced everywhere maybe we should look into this and make it so that everyone has to participate to make our world a better place to live and breath.
References
Future world oil supplies: There is a finite limit. L. F. Ivanhoe, Novum Corp., Ojai, California. (August 9, 2009) http://dieoff.org/page85.htmPotential for Water Savings & Rescue in the Arab Region. (August 9, 2009)http://ressources.ciheam.org Global potential for wind- generated electricity – PBAS. (August 9, 2009)http:/www.pnas.org