Introduction
Millions of people across the globe are obsessed with their independence and freedom to ensure they do what they want or like. Yet, there are some issues that people continue to neglect, including their dependency on certain factors like access to water or energy resources. For example, today, it is hard for many individuals to imagine a day without electricity because energy consumption is usually taken for granted. Thus, much attention should be paid to examining how energy consumption is organized and given to different geographical areas.
In other words, the energy mix must be explained to understand how primary energies meet people’s basic needs. Currently, in the United States, there are several significant sources within its energy mix: fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal), renewable energy (derived from sunlight and wind), and nuclear energy (released from atoms) (“U.S. energy facts explained,” 2023). Although it is impossible to remove most resources, it is expected to elaborate the energy mix, increase renewable resources, promote energy efficiency, and decrease carbon emissions by 2050.
Discussion
The U.S. energy mix has remained diverse and stable during the last several years. The government has gained control over various coal, oil, gas, renewable, and nuclear resources compared to a homogeneous approach of burning solid fuels several decades ago (Ritchie & Rosado, 2020). The Industrial Revolution had its impact, giving rise to oil, gas, and hydropower with time. The 20th century was indicated as the period when nuclear energy and renewables joined the energy mix (Ritchie & Rosado, 2020). Thus, such continuous progress proves that the energy mix is not static, and people tend to implement various ideas and improve the quality of their lives.
At this moment, it is not easy for such a pragmatic person as I am to identify some new, currently unknown sources of energy that may enter the U.S. energy mix in 2050. However, it is possible to examine recent achievements, failures, and successes to assess the impact of affordability, stability, and security of the resources and learn which options are less harmful to the environment. Energy sustainability has to become the primary goal of the mix by 2050.
According to Rosen (2021), even the most developed countries are not sustainable because they use energy resources from other regions, questioning the ability to have adequate and reliable energy deposits for future generations. The United States cooperates with Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico to import oil (petroleum). At the same time, the country can provide almost all natural gas volumes used by citizens (“U.S. energy system factsheets,” 2023). Thus, a renewed energy mix in the United States should contain more local natural resources to minimize import costs and increase resource affordability. Attention is required for nuclear and renewable energy resources, addressing the country’s human resources, people’s scientific knowledge, and abilities.
There are many ways to justify the chosen mix as desirable and feasible for the United States. First, natural gas remains one of the primary energy consumption sources, which is about 33% of the total amount (“U.S. energy facts explained,” 2023). Second, many commercial nuclear power plants are in the country, and their numbers continue to grow, increasing electricity generation capacity and decreasing carbon emission harm (“U.S. energy facts explained,” 2023).
Finally, it is observed that coal consumption has been reduced during the last several decades by 36%, which proves the possibility of finding safe and effective alternatives (“U.S. energy facts explained,” 2023). In addition, no one can neglect that the energy industry is growing and developing, and the discovery of new energy sources may be a matter of time. Solar energy, including wind, wave, ocean, and hydraulic resources, has its advantages (renewability and no harmful emissions) and disadvantages (price and technological advancement) (Rosen, 2021). Instead of spending money on foreign resources and opportunities, the USA should indicate and work on its local options.
Despite evident progress and success in many spheres, the United States still needs a clear pathway to implement the improved energy mix and be ready for all social, political, and industrial changes. For example, the government has already agreed to introduce new policies to eliminate fossil fuels as the primary energy resource and focus on renewable sources. The first steps include the annual consumption increase from 0.2% to 3.1% by 2050 (“U.S. energy system factsheets,” 2023).
Therefore, there is evident and strong support for a new energy mix from the political perspective. Society is also interested in reducing the use of fossil fuels as it is considered the primary environmental issue due to high carbon dioxide emissions (“U.S. energy system factsheets,” 2023). People want to learn to predict negative climate changes, so additional educational opportunities constantly emerge. The industrial progress within the country should not be ignored, as there are many profitable plants where nuclear power is examined and promoted (Rosen, 2021). America’s potential to increase renewable energy is great, and it is high time it used it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the United States has many opportunities to offer a new and improved energy mix by 2050. It is wrong to believe that most changes can be made quickly because all preparations, assessments, and improvements need time and smart resources. Energy consumption is continuous, and people cannot stop using energy to invent a new plan. Thus, combining political, social, and infrastructure attempts is required to help the country decrease energy imports and increase local knowledge and resources in promoting energy alternatives.
References
Ritchie, H., & Rosado, P. (2020). Energy mix. Our World in Data. Web.
Rosen, M. A. (2021). Energy sustainability with a focus on environmental perspectives. Earth Systems and Environment, 5(2), 217-230. Web.
U.S. energy facts explained: Consumption and production. (2023). U.S. Energy Information Administration. Web.
U.S. energy system factsheets. (2023). Center for Sustainable Systems. Web.