There are many disadvantages to using fossil fuels and other types of common energy resources. Solar and Wind power is free, clean energy.
1. Electricity is produced with a large amount of water. And with our population growing and drought conditions that are getting more common, producing electricity is adding to our problems instead of solving them. For example: last summer Lake Lanier's water level in the Atlanta, GA area was getting very low. The water levels in Lake Lanier were reported on the news very often. It was a very alarming situation. It can make one wonder how much drinking water will be available much less water for producing electricity. Solution: With solar photovoltaic and wind power, energy can be made even in a drought.
2. Fossil Fuels in our world are in large supply; however, it is finite meaning it can be used up. Furthermore, when fossil fuel burns, carbon is converted into carbon dioxide which is released into the air. And, depending on the type of fossil fuel and how it is burned, other emissions are emitted into the air, such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, NO 2 and other gases along with particulate matter. Coal also produces radioactive material when it is burned. Solution: Solar Photovoltaic - Solar power offers clean energy throughout the lifetime of the cell. Yes, it does require solar cells which are made of silicon and to make silicon, fossils fuels are used. Then the storage of the energy usually requires Lead-Acid batteries which both cost the environment but after construction the cell causes clean energy for its lifetime.
3. Nuclear Power uses water also; however, not as much as hydroelectricity but nevertheless much more than solar photovoltaic and wind power. And the water heat that is rejected from a large nuclear power plant can be bad for aquatic life when it is released into a body of water, such as a lake. Nuclear power plants also emit radioactivity - regulations normally control the emissions; however, on rare occasions the emissions can be minor to severe. Solution: Solar power does not emit radioactivity and solar energy does not require large amounts of water heat to be rejected into our lakes or streams.
4. Biomass is a process of burning crops to produce electricity or fermenting plant matter that produces ethanol which in turn is burned. Also, when organic matter decays it produces biogas, and it can be burned. Some disadvantages of this process is when biomass is burned, many of the same emissions that are produced from burning fossil fuels are produced. However, when the biomass is growing, it captures dioxide from the air which in turn lowers carbon dioxide levels. And as with many plants that are grown, fertilizers and pesticides may be used which increases environmental concerns. Solution: Solar cells convert the sun's radiation into DC power by use of photovoltaic cells and this power can then be converted into the more common AC power. Free and clean power!
5. Oil has contributed to spiking gas prices to over $4 a gallon. Right now we are enjoying prices quite a bit lower than that but gasoline prices are high in comparison to what we were paying a few years ago. In addition to contributing to spiking gas prices, oil is fossil fuel and again, the supply is limited. Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens predicted in 2005 that worldwide conventional oil production was very close to peaking. That was almost three years ago! The U.S. is the largest producer and consumer of oil, using 25% of the world's oil demand, importing 12 million barrels a day. Pickens Plan website states oil is getting more expensive to produce and harder to find. Solution: Solar and Wind Power is free. Furthermore, the sun is always shining somewhere.
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_concerns_with_electricity_generation#Water_usage
