Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Sources of Energy Used
in the United States
Renewable
Energy
Solar Power 1%
Water Power 36%
Oil (Petroleum) 40%
Geothermal Energy 5%
Nuclear
Power 8%
Renewable
Energy 7%
Natural
Gas 23%
Coal 22%
Biofuels 53%
Wind Power 5%
Note:
Figures are for the year 2007. No information is included for hydrogen fuel because it was not yet being used in large enough quantities.
Source:
U.S. Energy Information Administration
in 130 years. Natural gas may run out in about 60 years, and
oil may run out in as little as 40 years. Other sources must be
found to at least partly replace fossil fuels.
Burning fossil fuels also adds pollution to the air we breathe.
The pollutants (harmful substances) can cause headaches and
breathing problems, such as asthma. Burning fossil fuels also
creates
acid rain
, which can harm rivers and lakes, plants
and animals, and even buildings. In addition, fossil fuels have
been linked to
global warming
. This is the gradual warming
of Earth's climate, caused by the buildup of
carbon dioxide
and certain other gases in the
atmosphere
. Global warming
has been linked to a melting of ice in Earth's polar regions and,
therefore, to a rise in sea levels around the world. For the many
