Amadeo Ashe-Ramirez

2nd Period Government

10/18/2016
Coal, Oil, and Gas, and how it Relates to the Resource Preservation Act of 2017
The United States has allowed for its dependence on Fossil Fuels --such as Coal, Oil, and
Gas, to hit a point where it is incapable of sustaining itself without a ready to use supply. Since
their discovered utility, Fossil fuels have amassed a grand position in many forms of industry and
indeed everyday life. In the twenty first century, Fossil fuels have made large energy production
at relatively low fiscal cost possible. Due to their overwhelming abundance, as well as the low
cost at which fossil fuels can be harvested, refined, and burned, theyd quickly became a major
resource for the cheap energy market. This incredible versatility coupled with an easy processing
procedure has allowed for fossil fuels to quickly cement themselves at the center of the United
States economy, taking vital roles in nearly every form of industry. Unfortunately the use of such
resources does come at a cost. It is in this divide between positive productivity and inherent cost
to our environment where we find ourselves in fixed dispute. Furthermore, having the state of
our economy, society, and country rest on the shoulders of an ever dwindling supply is at great
detriment to itself, yet even with this inherent danger, we still somehow see fit to double down
on their use. The Resource Preservation Act of 2017 shall act to reduce our dependance on fossil
fuels: thus allowing for the revitalization of our currently damaged ecosystems, assuring the
redistribution and eventual nullification of our societys dependence on any one resource, as well
as developing a means of providing clean energy to the masses.
The regular use of fossil fuels has had, and will continue to have a monumental impact on
the state of our nations and on a grander scale our planets well being --their exploitation has

brought scores in untold damages, a shift from fossil fuels will give our environments the much
needed time they require to begin their own restoration process. The harvest of such resources --a
slew of practices known as: mining, fracking, drilling, refining, the lot, each coming at the cost
of countless ecosystems, ecosystems destroyed so that their riches might be taken. In many ways
this exploitation comes at great cost to our ecosystems, mining destroys landscapes, forests and
wildlife habitats. It leads to soil erosion and destruction of agricultural land (About Coal Mining
Impacts). See how even in its early stages, the mining of fossil fuels comes at great
environmental cost. On a grander scale such resources --when used to produce energy, yield such
a high degree of pollution which when released into our atmosphere, poses a further threat to
global climate, already warming alarmingly (Coal Burning, Fossil Fuels, Pollution). From start
to finish we see the total cost that these fossil fuels come at in nearly every stage from: harvest,
to development, to usage. Use of such resources comes at a great and inequitable cost to the
environment in almost every stage, and all of this cost without even the slightest consideration
provided on its effect on our economy.
Our modern society is a technological one, as such it is at the mercy of our energy means,
with those means of supplying energy to the masses currently resting on the feeble shoulders of
an ever dwindling supply of outdated fuels, our society remains in a problematic position. If a
transition from the burning of fossil fuels to a new clean and independent source of energy was
overseen, it would ensure the distribution of our societys energy dependence a variety of energy
providers. In our current state, and with the rate at which our nation takes in and uses fossil fuels,
we can see how our fuel, dependence will also be increasingly harder and more dangerous to
satisfy (Oil Dependence is a Dangerous Habit). Here we see the problems associated with
dependence on a single source of sustenance, and an ever dwindling one at that. The general

concept is that our societys stability should increase exponentially with the, diversification of
energy supplies that emphasizes environmentally friendly energy sources (Freedom From Oil:
How the Next President Can End the United States Oil Addiction). This details how the
distribution of our nations energy needs amongst various outlets will allow for certain amounts
of give should any one source should for a time or altogether, fail. The distribution of necessity
amongst several providers and types of energy will act as a safety net, ensuring that we would
never be without sufficient energy supply if we should be in need, and equally as important as
having multiple providers for energy is the types of energy we choose pursue in the first place.
Fossil fuels are a perfect example of a non-renewable energy source, as such there is a set
limit on their abundance here, this proves problematic when trying to exploit their composition
for our energy production. Due to this inconvenience it is essential that we find a means of
providing clean and readily available energy from a source that is either available in constant
supply or more realistically a source with a minimal cost and maximum reward. Our current
system has, american consumers and businesses already spend roughly $700 billion to $1
trillion each year on coal, oil and natural gas, and suffer the incalculable costs of pollution from
fossil fuels through damage to our health and environment (The High Cost of Fossil Fuels).
This is a system which is already spending immense sums of money to waste time receiving
temporary sustenance when what we really need is a long term solution. Coal alone is, cheap,
readily mined domestically, and generated almost half of all electricity in the country in 2009 as
well as more than 40 percent of electricity produced globally (Petroleum, Natural Gas, and
Coal). Weve established a system for providing energy that at its core comes at great detriment
to both our society as well as our environment. A transition from our dependance on the ever

dwindling supply of fossil fuels remaining to new and clean forms of energy needs to be
overseen, however others dispute this belief.
While most of us are joint on the position to support new and alternative forms of energy
--both of which are beneficial not only our society and our environment, there are some who
strongly believe in the use of Coal, Oil, and Gas. For decades representatives of fossil fuel
companies have stood by Coal, Oil, and Gas, attempting to cast a better light on their use and
place in our society. One example of this defense can be seen in how big gas companies spun
scientific reports to say how, gas-fired electricity plants emit only half as much carbon dioxide
per kilowatt-hour generated as do coal-burning plants (Natural Gas: The Newest Danger for
Global Warming). While not a false statement, this casts a skew light on the merit found in Gas
companies portraying them as a positive source of energy when all they are really is the lesser of
two evils. They also promote their products by saying how it is cost effective and how new found
deposits and wells have, increased supply which is expected to continue for years making it
very cost-competitive compared to other energy sources (The Climate Risks of Natural Gas).
Another example of pronounced perks associated with Coal, Oil, and Gas which hides a part of
the truth as well as highlighting benefits associated with them. While they are not entirely wrong
promoters of fossil fuel uses are associated with hiding information which supports deniers of
global warming and corporate interests.
The Resource Preservation Act of 2016 will reduce our dependance on fossil fuels: this
will allow for the revitalization of our currently diminished ecosystems, assuring the
redistribution and eventual nullification of our societys dependence on any one resource, as well
as providing a means of clean energy to the masses. The culmination of all these should improve
the longevity of our planet's foreseen lifetime. I urge all individuals who hope for a their children

to live in a world still filled with natural wonders to vote yes for the Resource Preservation Act
of 2016.

Works Cited:
Appenzeller, By Tim. "Coal Burning, Fossil Fuels, Pollution - National Geographic."National
Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://environment.
nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/high-cost-coal/>.
"About Coal Mining Impacts." Greenpeace International. Greenpeace, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
<http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/coal/Coalmining-impacts/>.
By Rebecca Lefton and Daniel J. Weiss | Wednesday, January 13, 2010. "Oil Dependence Is a
Dangerous Habit." Name. Center For American Progress, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
<https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report/2010/01/13/7200/oil-dependenceis-a-dangerous-habit/>.
"The High Cost of Fossil Fuels." Environment America. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.
<http://www.environmentamerica.org/reports/ame/high-cost-fossil-fuels>.
"Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Coal." BURN An Energy Journal. N.p., 05 Jan. 2013. Web. 09
Sept. 2016.
http://burnanenergyjournal.com/petroleum-natural-gas-and-coal/

Tomasson, Catherine. "Natural Gas: The Newest Danger for Global Warming." Natural Gas:
The

Newest Danger for Global Warming. Physicians for Social Responsibility, n.d. Web. 12
Oct. 2016. <http://www.psr.org/environment-and-health/environmental-health-policyinstitute/responses/natural-gas-the-newest-danger-global-warming.html?referrer=https
%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F>.
"Infographic: The Climate Risks of Natural Gas." Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d.
Web. 19 Sept. 2016.
<http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/coal-and-other-fossilfuels/infographic-climate-change-risks-natural-gas.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwmf6BRDi9fSN7Ijt1wUSJAASawcjb3LzyAyoFYkJpNazRThoGv21GdCdXD3OSC2nQqtuxoClOvw_wcB#learn?s_src=promo&s_subsrc=googleads>.
Sandalow, David. Freedom from Oil: How the next President Can End the United States' Oil
Addiction. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print.