By now, everyone has heard the terms “renewable” and “nonrenewable” energy or similar terms. They often associate these words with environmental issues and the economy, and that is what I plan on diving into with this analysis. What are the pros and cons of renewable and nonrenewable energy? What are the public opinions of each? The cost? The feasibility? Pretty much everyone has heard these terms, but the first step in analyzing such a complicated issue is the official definitions.

Renewable energy is defined by dictionary.com as “any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, as biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave, and hydroelectric power, that is not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel.” There are seven different types of renewable energy, some of which are listed in the definition. The most well-known types are solar, wind, and hydroelectric, but there are other types such as geothermal, ocean, hydrogen energy, and biomass. The most well-known ones are the most effective and viable options for renewable energy, as some of the others have not been developed as much, but progress is being made in all seven forms of renewable energy.

Nonrenewable energy is different from renewable energy because it is an exhaustible source of energy that can run out in the future. Common examples of nonrenewable energy sources include oil, coal, and natural gas. These energy forms are often associated with the economy because they have historical significance and provide many jobs across the country. Many people know nonrenewable energy as “fossil fuels” named for the dead plants and animals from millions of years ago that they were named after. The one major problem with nonrenewable energy is the environmental impact they have due to the fact that the use of these energy sources releases carbon into the atmosphere, but this is where the debate gets tricky because many people’s jobs are at stake if the fossil fuel industry collapses.

There are many pros and cons to each type of energy source. Renewable energy sources are better for the environment and are pretty much guaranteed not to run out, but a switchover will hurt the economy and the people who work in the nonrenewable energy industry. Nonrenewable energy provides a steady economy but may run out in the future and is already causing environmental issues.

People tend to be very protective over their opinions on energy, with some strictly sticking to their solar panels on the roof and electric cars, and others taking the “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” approach to the gas in their cars. Opinions can vary wildly from person to person, and it’s got me curious as to why this is and how people formed their strong opinions on such a complicated issue.

Energy issues have been and will be around for a while, and it doesn’t look like we’re going to be in the process of changing anything drastically any time soon, but change has been happening, slow as it is, because issues have been occurring, and people will need to pick a side soon if they haven’t already.