| Our country reels from energy-related problems. The | | | | Other countries are likewise hard pressed to pursue |
| price of gasoline continues to rise. More threats come | | | | an alternative energy agenda. It can be assumed that |
| from the unpredictable economic and political | | | | they also contribute to the worsening global climate, |
| conditions in the Middle East, Iraq, Iran and other | | | | and the responsibility for addressing the problem |
| countries. If anything, these problems have indicated | | | | needs to be shared by all. European countries and the |
| the extent of dependence of the United States | | | | United States have made initial advances in the |
| economy on imported oil. | | | | search for alternative energy towards not only |
| The need to chart new directions on the matter of | | | | reducing their dependence on fossil fuel but also on |
| energy production and supply has become | | | | cleaning up the environment. |
| unavoidable for Americans. We need to cut our | | | | The developing countries need to follow our lead in |
| dependence on imported oil and find viable alternative | | | | collecting relevant research data and developing |
| energy sources. Experts contend that the time for | | | | alternative energy technologies. The level of |
| relatively cheap fuel is over, and that we must be | | | | government and private research and development |
| ready to pay for its escalating cost unless we | | | | collaboration in this field augurs well for strengthening |
| succeed in developing cost-effective alternative | | | | our technological edge. Added benefits thus await |
| energy sources. With our technologically-advanced | | | | from bright prospects of marketing these |
| and energy-dependent society, the need for fresh | | | | technologies to other countries. |
| technologically and financially viable alternative energy | | | | Other alternative sources of energy that continue to |
| cannot be avoided. | | | | merit further investigation are hydro-electric |
| The environmentalists add their voices to the call for | | | | technology, bio-fuels from trees and beans, natural |
| a swift to alternative fuel due to damages inflicted | | | | gas, atomic energy plants, hydrogen cells, and solar |
| on the environment by petroleum-generated power. | | | | energy. Currently getting extra attention from |
| Global warming, water and air pollution have been | | | | experts is determining the overall viability of wind and |
| identified as some of the many environmental risks | | | | solar energy, as well as of generating electricity with |
| we expose ourselves to from extensive use of fossil | | | | hydrogen. |
| fuel. | | | | Expectations are high that more sources of better |
| Nevertheless, we must also exercise caution in | | | | quality alternative energy can be found and put in |
| developing alternative energy. Coal, for example, is | | | | operation while research and development in this field |
| not inspiring. It is dirty, dangerous to extract, and is | | | | continues. By then we can look forward to ride our |
| also harmful to the environment. Surely, there must | | | | cars and sustain our technologically advanced |
| be other alternative sources of energy that are safer | | | | societies with less fear of further damaging our |
| to process and more environment-friendly, and to | | | | environment. |
| which we must turn our primary focus. | | | | |