The full cost of fossil fuels has recently become glaringly apparent. The oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico claimed 11 lives and has already taken a huge toll on the economy and ecology of that region. In early April the Massey Energy coal mine explosion killed 29 miners and was the worst US mine incident in 40 years. These tragedies shed light on the need for a shift in thinking and investment in alternative energies.

Everyone knows that oil and coal reserves will not last forever (with oil projected to run out in 40 years and coal in 155) and the recent catastrophes make very clear the external costs of such heavy reliance on these energy sources. The need for research and spending on alternatives like hydrogen, wind, and solar energy technologies has never been more obvious.

Dictating the Future of Energy

It is nonsensical to continue to depend on finite sources of energy that are so environmentally and economically damaging. Alternative energies on the other hand are:

- More abundant and renewable (the sun and wind are all around us)

- Cleaner (far less environmental impact)

- Safer (have you ever heard of a solar spill or wind explosion?)

If oil and coal were the only options we had on this planet, modern life as we know it would be doomed. They are, of course, not the only power sources we can utilize and mankind’s outlook does not need to be so grim. However, by failing to recognize and develop alternative energies, this is the bleak future we are choosing. The good news is that governments and the people don’t have to make this dismal choice. There is no time like the present to initiate forward thinking energy programs to ensure the future of the planet and our children.

Impetus for Alternatives

As horrible as the recent oil and coal catastrophes have been, there may be some good that can be salvaged from them. They have clearly illustrated our dependence on fossil fuels, an addiction that has been ignored for too long. Unfortunately, it might just take devastating events like these to move the government away from fossil fuels to greener options.

The anger and frustration within the public over the oil and coal accidents is palpable and it seems like a very advantageous time to promote alternative energies. The human, economic, and environmental impacts of the latest coal and oil accidents have shed light on the less obvious, yet devastating, costs of these energies.

Global warming is now a well known and researched product of fossil fuel consumption, yet it cannot be felt or seen by most people in their daily lives. The Gulf oil spill and West Virginia coal mine explosion on the other hand have had very visible and poignant effects. Perhaps this observable impact will be the impetus for change the world has needed for so long. Here’s hoping it doesn’t take another fossil fuel disaster to compel lawmakers and the rest of us to take action on promoting alternative energies.