What is more important, the cost of oil and gas, or the health of the human race? Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing, more commonly known as “fracking” remains a relatively uncommon drilling technology. There was only one in fourteen wells drilled in the United States and Canada horizontally in 2002 (Gold). In 2012, six of every ten wells were horizontal. It is a process in which sand, water, and chemicals are used to blast open shale rock to release the gases that are trapped inside. After the vertical depth of the well is achieved, the drilling continues horizontally. Unfortunately, fracking is proven to cause environmental and health problems in humans and animals. It is also a risk to nearby plant life. The risks of fracking do not out way …show more content…
Like its name sounds, it uses the rises and falls of the oceans tides to produce electricity (National Geographic). Tidal energy is a renewable source of energy, meaning it comes from a natural source that replenishes itself. There are three different ways that tidal energy can be produced. Placing turbines in tidal streams is the first way. It is more difficult because the machines are enormous and they can disrupt the tide that they are trying to harness energy from. Also, depending on the size of the turbine and where it is located it could have negative effects on the environment such as the sea life that surrounds the turbine. Because the blades of the turbine turn slowly it reduces the risk of marine life being caught in the system (National Geographic).For the turbine to produce more energy and for the safety of ships, they should be placed in shallow water. The second way tidal energy can be produced is through a barrage. A barrage produces energy in much of the same way that a river dam would. This could also have an impact on the surrounding environment. The animal life is either blocked in or out of the lagoon and it also changes the salinity of the water (National Geographic). The final way to produce tidal energy is through the construction of tidal lagoons. Although this works much like the barrage, it can be built on the natural coastlines. This is the most environmentally friendly construction …show more content…
It is the process through the construction of wind turbines that takes the kinetic energy from the wind and turns it into mechanical energy which is converted into electricity by a generator that is located inside the turbine (Maehlum). Because of the unpredictability of the wind it is not the most reliable source of energy although, the energy that is produced by the turbines can be stored, it is not the most energy producing option available. It has very little effects on the environment. It can be a threat to flying animals but in a study it was proven that there were more fatalities of birds and such animals from flying into buildings than the fatalities that were caused by the wind turbines (Energy Informative). Although it is extremely expensive to produce a wind turbine, the cost has decreased eighty percent since 1980 and the prices are continuing to decline (Energy Informative). Furthermore, the cost associated with the operation of a wind turbine is very little. It is as domestically friendly, producing electricity with the same ease as solar panels. The wind turbines have significant potential in shaping the future with the United States aiming to produce at least twenty percent of its energy from them by the year 2030 (Energy