Why do we eat? Why do we have to fill in gases for moving vehicles? Or even now, what makes your PC work? The answers of all questions are “Energy”. As you see, the energy is very important because we cannot do anything without the energy. Currently, the energy issue is very controversial in the U.S. They are arguing between the defense against the climate change, which is reduction of greenhouse gases, and the energy security. Well, most of you do not know the definition of the energy security. What is the energy security? Well, different people have different opinions when it comes to the energy security, but I think it means enough possession of the energy not to make people frustrate from energy shortage. Which one looks more important between the energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gases? Yes! Both of things are very important for us. Then here is a question. What do we have to do for keeping both things? From now, I am going to tell you opinions of those who advocate the energy security and those who claim to cut off the greenhouse gases. Most importantly, I will tell you what should be needed for both the energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gases.
People, in general, talk about energy security; some people argue that securing stable energy supply is very important, while others claim that cutting off the amounts of CO2 is more important than the energy security. The U.S. largely depends on fossil fuel, cheap oil and gas and also easily access to those resources. They mostly import fossil fuel from other countries such as Eastern Middle Asia. However, oils in Eastern Middle Asia countries are very price sensitive because of political unstable at those countries. I bet you all have heard about the war and bringing peace into the Eastern Middle Asia, whether it is in a movie or new. Those phenomena refer to the political unstable. Additionally, demands from other Asian countries, such as China and India, have been increasing and large amounts of oil use will be moved from America to Asian countries. Some people strongly suggest that America use the domestic energy. It sounds simple and easy but it would be economically burdensome because many amounts of fossil fuel is located on Alaska, which means the government have to invest lots of money into equipment. Therefore, the U.S. has to find other countries to import oils such as West Africa, Europe, Russia or Latin America. What else should they do? Also, international cooperation is another way to keep the energy supply stable, because most of oil export countries, Middle East countries, are hostile to the U.S. For example, there would be military intervention, 1991 Gulf war. This shows the importance of foreign policy or international cooperation. The international cooperation and negotiation among developing countries look very important. Now, let’s talk about the reduction of the greenhouse gases, which are mostly CO2. The amounts of CO2 in the U.S. are the second largest in the world, which is 21%. Fossil fuel, that largely causes the climate change, is the main reason of CO2 emission. Although people know that they should reduce the emission of CO2 for further climate change, only two third of Americans think great deals have been done for the climate change. Moreover, half of them think that more strict policies should be done for the climate change. Then what do we really have to do for the effective policy? Of course, I would say human beings’ effort is very important. Specifically saying, making laws and policies, which involve votes, are very important to control the energy policies.
To make effective policy, co-working and agreement among house of representative, senates and the president, because the energy policies hugely depend on interest group such as politicians and lobbyist. Does it look complicated? Why do I say the interest groups such as lobbyists and politicians? Because, the world and business are much more complex than you think. For example, let’s say that the government decides to remove coal from the electrical source. Then, those who work at coal would be fired and mine workers will lose their jobs. Additionally, coal industry and the business which relate to coal industry will be down. This is why the role of the interest groups and business are important. Do you somehow understand? Then, let me talk a little bit deeper. Although the Democrats won the election in 2006 and made the law for the energy save, the policy was not effective because some interest groups, whose interests were not close to the law, were still against the law. Also, during Bush administration, new policy about the energy was enacted, which was mainly about alternative fuels, such as electric cars because they want to catch both things: Economy and the nature. However, the policy was not as effective as people thought because of the interest groups.
In conclusion, to resolve current energy issue, which are the energy security and cutting off CO2 emission, our effort is very important! It is our ground that we have lived and we have to preserve for our future generation! In the future, you have to choose the party or group that cares both the nature and human beings; in other words, we have to choose and support the party who could both take care of the energy security and the preserving of the nature. Remember one thing! Nothing is more important than other thing! Keeping both the energy security and the defense for the climate is important!
1. What are two energy issues that the U.S. face and why are these things important?
2. Why are the roles of political institutions and interested groups important in terms of making the energy policies?
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