We, humans, were just normal, ordinary animals who performed haphazard actions or entertained any concepts, in the range of human's knowledge in physical and mental capabilities, for the great ambition of survival. It was a hard thing to differentiate distinctive characteristics or features different from other ordinary living animals. However, there was a remarkable turning point in the history of mankind: the utilization of tools. Well, prior to the utilization of tools, there was another vital factor that resulted in the utilization of tools - the ability to walk erect with two legs. However, I want to emphasize the fact that the major motivation for the radical development in the history of human was the usage of tools.
As humankind started to utilize these tools to prevent them from danger and other subordinate reasons, the use and innovation of tools naturally developed dramatically. Also, as the tools that humans used advanced dramatically, not only were people able to survive for longer periods, but also able to establish the initial foundation for the process of 'civilization'. Until now, humankind has made historical, astounding enhancement in human life scientifically, or mentally. To say briefly, our modes of life underwent a colossal modification due to the liberal contribution of scientific technology, on the premise that this technology will augment the degree of convenience. Our level of intelligence grew as humans started to intensify the matter of "thinking". However, the unfortunate fact is that most of the generations which have lived through human history aren't capable of realizing the most consequential, influential factor for the modifications humans have went through. The factor is the "natural resource", which has been bestowed by our ultimate 'mother and father' - earth. (*Shin) Humankind have not perceived the fact that the most rudimentary foundation for the development of mankind was the natural resource.
Well, it is not a big deal that we, human beings are utilizing and applying the natural resources for our development. The problem is that we have used them excessively, without considering the fact that the resources are finite, and thus one-day face the predicament of overcoming the scarcity of the natural resource human have used. In recent decades, 'oil', has been the most controversial issue among countries that are now concerned about the fact that natural resources are dramatically diminishing.
Crude oil, or colloquially named as "oil" is a natural mineral oil stored in underground oil field. From this we are able to extract various oil products. The term 'oil' is used for both means of crude oil and oil products. This crude oil was buried as sediments after the formation of organism's decomposition, which had been submerged in the bottom of the sea for more than one million years.
In the past, oil was primarily used for lubrication and illumination. (*Mathis) However, as the production of oil was augmented, it was used more widely for the reason that oil: treatment with great ease, high degree of thermal efficiency, absolute eradication after combustion, and substantial efficiency for fuel of the chemical industry. The amount of oil that lies underground is estimated to be approximately 13 billion barrels, and it is analyzed that the possible period for the utilization of oil is only about 43 years. (*Choi) However, an unfortunate reality is that the possible period for the utilization of oil could substantially diminish to be much less than the above estimation, on account of the verity that the utilization of oil is augmenting with drastic velocity.
Without a vital energy source like oil, the maintenance of civilization would be virtually impossible. If there weren't any energy used in society, there is no doubt that our society would accomplish nothing. We should recall the time of the great black out in New York in 1977, July 13th. At midnight, the city became the playground of criminals, and businesses were suspended all day. The circumstance was like a drug addict who was experiencing withdrawal, trembling for another fix. In the circumstance of the blackout, most of our actions suffer obscurity, due to the malfunction of communication, transportation, and other electronic gadgets, which are considerably influential. (*Kim) Even the 'imperial' United States of America had no way of overcoming such crisis easily. Korea also had to face such disaster in 2003, when the typhoon 'Maemi' had passed by the peninsula. There was a colossal blackout, and the consequences were disastrous. By common sense, all business and affairs were suspended. What was even worse was that people weren't able to do the very elementary things for a human to do. (*Kang). There was no water, TV, elevator for skyscrapers.
As we could see, energy is such a consequential factor, but the enigma we face now is that there are hardly any resources left for our society to use. The most important resource, oil, for example, have only enough for 40 years of use. Also, the capacity of the natural resource that the society consumes has dramatically increased recently. If we were to compare the consumption quantity of natural resources from 1971 to 1990, it has increased over 60%. If this kind of phenomenon continues, more than 50% would increase in 2010, and over 80% will increase in 2020. Korea has dedicated a lot to this outcome, for the augmentation rate was more than 200%. (*Novembre) It was 14 times faster than the average rate of the world. In addition, many specialists have predicted that this phenomenon will continue for more than 20 years. Would mankind be able to obtain natural resources without complicity although we are in a very disadvantageous circumstance?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Natural resources are finite, and therefore it is apparently impossible to use them forever. But then, are we going to go back to the primeval society where the very subtle degree of intelligence was perceived and therefore human weren't capable of enjoying the blessing of the society nowadays? The answer is again - no. However, although we can't actually make resources like oil, we can still invent 'alternative energy' for our future generations. Hence, the notion of alternative energy is nowadays tremendously emphasized in many countries.
Alternative energy, also called 'the alternative resource', is classified as not coal, oil, atomic energy, and natural gas but solar power, biomass energy, wind power, descendant power, fuel electricity battery, the liquefaction of coal, the transition of gas, oceanic energy, waste energy, and etc. (*Iwe2580) But alternative energy in the terms of a broad meaning, is defined as the energy that would be an alternative to the oil resource, and in the terms of an narrow meaning, is defined as a new or renewable energy.
The specified alternative energy, based on the possibility of it becoming the most efficient energy in the future, is classified into two big concepts - new energy and renewable energy. New energies are fuel like electric batteries, the liquefaction of coal, and hydrogen energy. The renewable energies are solar energy (light and heat), biomass energy, wind power, descendant power, terrestrial power, oceanic energy, and waste energy. In most of these energies, there exist some common reasons to contain the potentials to become the most anticipated alternative resource, and this is why many scientists are focusing on these 11 energies. First of all, they are environment-friendly because they don't use fossil fuel and therefore barely emitting any CO2. Secondly, they are mostly renewable and inexpensive. They are also capable of reproduction by pure technology and thus, there are no concerns for depletion. (*kemco_new)
It is a true fact that nowadays, the necessity for the development in alternative energy has been intensified. Hence, societies no longer just set up a problem and look at the enigma as a spectator. Human have made some remarkable results in development, and we are marching forward to the point of resolution. Out of the eleven-new/renewable alternative energies, I would like to briefly introduce the most 'hopeful' alternative energy - hydrogen energy.
Hydrogen energy could be defined as the energy gained by igniting hydrogen. The reasons why hydrogen is expected to be the ultimate alternative resource are that it has virtues that fossil fuel or atomic energy can't bestow to the society. It is completely nature-friendly, the method of igniting is easy, and it could not only produce infinitely by the infinite foundation 'water' but also it is easy to transport. Furthermore, it is apt for application in abundant areas - industrial material, transportation, etc. Therefore, it is expected to be the ultimate alternative resource. (*Encyclopedia Naver Online)
I am proud to say that my dream is to become a physist/chemist who would study about alternative energy. I have a strong belief that the successful result in the study of alternative energy will be one of the most crucial factors for a happier future society. However, I am sure that there exist apparent limitations in alternative energy. Moreover, many scientists say that there exist enigmas due to the massive utilization of renewable energy. Therefore, if we are to seriously consider the crisis of energy adversity and deliberate deeply about using the new/renewable energy as the solution for the crisis of energy intricacies, we must not only reflect on our form of livelihood but also sincerely consider the apt scale of alternative energy and the apt scale of energy consumption. Moreover, we must always be persistent in indulging in technology-oriented solutions for the sake of our future.
Books
Paul, Mathis. What is Alternative Energy? Kang Nam: Sin Sa Dong. S. 2004
Shin, Bu Yong. Alternatives without alternatives: Atomic Energy. Ma Po: Yuan Nam Dong. 1997
Periodicals
Kim, Sun Cheoul. "The Darkness brought by 'New York life'"Hankyuerae 21 20 August 2003, sec. 10:12+
Kang, Jung Hun. "The first compensation request by citizens due to
blackout by the typhoon 'MAEMI'" Donga Ilbo 30 October 2003, sec.
18:39+
Internet Resources
Korean institute of Energy Research. Ed. Choi Ik Su. Alternative Energy
Dept. Daegeon State. 28 April 2006 Dept.
Energy Conversion Homepage. Ed. Novembre. 2004. Renewable Energy Dept., Seoul Jongro-Gu. 28 April 2006
kemco_new. "Additional Reference on Alternative Energy" naver.com.
18 August 2005. NHN Corp. 29 April 2006
"Hydrogen Energy" Encyclopedia Naver Online. NHN Corporations. 29
April 2005 http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=96825
iwe2580. "What is alternative energy?" 25 April 2005. 30 April 2006
< http://blog.naver.com/iwe2580?Redirect=Log&logNo=30003916826>
Links to other sites on the Web
