Donald asks…
What will it take to get people to use alternative energy sources?
I need some links answering or discussing this question.
Also what would happen to all the cars if we made the jump to alternative energy? could our current cars run on it such as natural gas?
Please give me links, I am doing a research project and needs links that I can research into not peoples answers. I’m having trouble finding any links to these that’s why I’m posting this in case anyone knows a reliable source pertaining to this.
Breath it is a research project that is why I asked for links not personal answers.
The Expert answers:
If you are looking under alternative energy for a question about how to change peoples mind you need to sharpen your google-fu. The proper subject would be rhetoric, mass marketing, advertising or possibly even political science. Once you understand this subject you will notice that although this discussion receives frequent mentions it is rarely a main theme in alternative energy literature.
There is a basic reason for this. It is a matter of perspective. There are two basic camps. There are vested interests who have been doing business in a certain way for several generations. They are a small group, well funded with a clear agenda seeking to control or manipulate mass opinion. Funding can poll markets to determine what is of interest and what is considered “good.” Advertising and paid for “informative” articles will then target what is of interest and considered “good” like “security” or “sex” and hook public opinion and products into these values. From the perspective of this camp there is a great deal of interest in “what it will take to get people…”
And then there are the masses who are unfunded, uncoordinated, with many conflicting goals and often very little social perspective. The masses have individual needs and desires. It takes something special to motivate the masses as a unit.
Sometimes this happens after a war or as a result of a collective shock. But it doesn’t last for decades as it can with vested interests.
What this means is that for the masses to move on a subject like alternative energy sources first the resistance provided by vested interests must be overcome and then a collective sense of purpose should be instilled.
Practically this might mean eliminating all subsidies and a blackout on advertising similar to what was done during the anti smoking campaign…and you can see how effective this has been but it would be a start.
Natural gas may be an alternative fuel for a car but it is not an alternative energy source. It is still a fossil fuel. We are now hearing that the US has huge deposits of natural gas. These have been known for decades but the means to extract it has been considered an environmental disaster. With energy more desperately in demand it is felt that this will be overlooked.
Since it is a “research” project, I would not want to simply do your work for you, but I hope I have suggested some new avenues for exploration.
David asks…
Is there still a push for alternative energy?
In the current economy, is there people still wanting and looking for alternative energy?
The Expert answers:
With the crowd in Washington these days, it’s more of a shove at the point of a bayonet.
If they think that CO2 is a pollutant, the folks at the EPA should stop breathing. And “He who must not be named” living in the White House should stay home and not use Air Force One to go for Sunday drives.
William asks…
what are the major related to alternative energy?
I want to major in subject related to alternative energy for undergraduate degree , i can’t find the which major will cover that subject.
The Expert answers:
Depends on if you want to make/design “alternative energy” or you just want to make money or make laws controlling it.
If you want to make or design devices that produce or run on alternative sources of energy, consider physics or engineering. I would suggest nuclear physics, electrical engineering, or biochemical engineering with regard to future energy resources.
Many people will get rich trading “carbon credits” and energy futures. If you want a piece of that action, consider a business or law degree.
Lizzie asks…
Why are we stil using oil, when we could be using all the alternative energy sources from the Clinton years?
Why aren’t we using all the alternative energy sources that were developed back in the Clinton years?
You know, back when we had all that extra money and prosperity. We had such intelligent leadership that could see we can’t be dependent on foreign oil forever.
And that was ten years ago, so some of those energy sources should be hitting the market just about now. Just in time, too, because gas prices are going sky high.
Why don’t we just switch over to the Clinton era energy sources and end our dependence on foreign oil?
The Expert answers:
What “sources” are you referring to?
James asks…
If you were writing an letter about alternative energy, who should you send it to?
If you were writing to the government about alternative energy, who would be the most suitable candidate for the letter?
The Expert answers:
Begin with an appointment to speak in person or in a phone meeting with an aide at your Senator’s office. The aide will personally assist you and guide you. Here is a link to a list of Senators and contact information. Phone for the appointment:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
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