http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/los-angeles-to-stop-using-coal-by-2020/
Summary: The major of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, said that Los Angeles in the year 2020, will completely eliminate the usage of coal and turn to alternative energy resources. He said that the wind and the sun and other resources will be used for energy instead. Now in Los Angeles, about 20% of the power used is renewable and they have been taking many strides to using cleaner energy. By cutting coal, they will be cutting carbon emissions as well, since coal produces a lot of carbon into the atmosphere. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)'s goal is to cut carbon emissions by 60% in 2020.
Reflection: I agree with the mayor's decision on cutting the usage of coal in Los Angeles. Obviously it won't really affect us since we live on the other side of the country, however, it may inspire other cities to do the same. This movement towards alternative energy could really have some great outcomes for our environment. Also, we can't even rely on fossil fuels for much longer anyway, since they are quickly running out. By replacing fossil fuels with alternative energies, we can help the atmosphere and the land so much. Carbon emissions are letting excess carbon into the atmosphere as well as dusts and other wastes are being put into the atmosphere as well. Drilling and mining are damaging the land. When we filled out the fossil fuels chart in class, we wrote down that coal puts particulates and mercury into the air also. Mercury is very dangerous and by cutting coal this could be eliminated. Yes, it may be expensive to turn to alternative energies, however, its our best switch from coal and other fossil fuels.
Questions:
1. Do you think that mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is making the right choice for Los Angeles? Why?
2. Even though turning to alternative energies may hurt the economy, do you think its worth it?
3. What percentage does the LADWP wish to cut carbon emissions by?
4. Are there any disadvantages to alternative energies? If so, list some.
I think that it is a very great idea for the mayor to turn to alternative energy sources. In class we are learning about fossil fuels and the affects that they have on the environment. I learned that coal has major environmental impacts, such as underground fires, and of course the carbon emissions effect when it is burned for electricity. It is a very dangerous source of energy to be using, not to mention that we are very quickly depleting our source of coal and other fossil fuels. While the mayor has good intensions, I think that it will be very difficult for him to make an entire city change their ways. Americans don’t like change and I feel like many people will not be in favor of it. They are stubborn and will not want to raise costs, even though they would eventually fall. Plus, it is great for the environment. I learned how many of these alternative sources are renewable and much more practical options for getting our electricity to help keep the earth healthier in the long run. It is very inspiring to see that at least the mayor cares about what will happen to our earth in the generations to come.
ReplyDelete1. I do feel that the mayor is making the right decision, because he has the big picture in mind. He seems to understand, that if we are going to work to improve our environmental conditions, something must be done and he has decided to take a stand.
2. Yes because money is a material thing. You can get more money if you try hard. Once the world has been polluted and damaged, it is pretty much impossible to return it to the way it used to be.
I believe that the mayors idea is great. It is ideas like these that need to be made to be able to push the rest of the country in the right direction. Making the smart choices about what we are using and how we are using our energy and resources to get our energy is key to finding alternate resources that are renewable and can stay that way. Fossil fuels are destorying the air quality and as the prices and demands for the fuels rise there will be more wars and economic down falls. During the labs we have done for the past two days you see that solar power and hydro power and things of that matter don't cause such a disruption to the balence of the balence of the world.
ReplyDelete1. I think that that the LA mayor is making the right discision even though the economy may fall in the long run it will get better
3. Sixty percent
REFLECTION:
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that the decision the mayor made was great. I do believe that his decision could inspire other cities to do the same. Because of the scarce amount of coal and other fossil fuels, we need to find another resource fast. In class, we found out that coal is potentially dangerous; releasing chemicals into the air and unexpectedly catching on fire. The labs we have done in the last few days have informed us that there are many other reliable resources such as hydroelectric and wind. Although they could hurt our economy severely, they could save the world from running out of important nonrenewable resources. For example, coal and oil. If the mayor continues to do the things he says, Los Angeles will be a better and safer place to live, along with the cities that follow.
QUESTIONS:
1) I think the mayor is definitely making the right decision. Although it may have some risks, the outcome will be better for the people and the environment.
2) I do think it is worth it because it will save the city along with the whole world from running out of incredibly needed resources.
I think it'sgreat that L.A. is trying so hard to be green. I guess someone wants to stop dependending so much on fossil fuels. Maybe other state should try to follow their example. If everyone can get down on their carbon emission then the world will start to see great change. Even if it is kind of a risky to start depending on certain alternative energy sources. We. don't completely know how some of them are going to pan out yet. However, every little bit make a difference.
ReplyDelete1)Yes, because we can't depend on oil forever it's to start now while we still have time to make adjustments if we need to
3) 60%