Advancing into the twenty-first century, it has become clear that our current source of energy, namely non-renewable organic materials, will not be able to last long, as both the number of people who use electricity and the amount of usage increases dramatically. This problem has led many scientists to look for new ways to obtain energy, particularly from renewable sources. Chemistry is essential in the process of finding usable renewable energy sources and will continue to play a vital role in the energy of the future. At the heart of how chemistry relates to renewable energy is the idea of green chemistry, which is about finding non-renewable resources – toxic chemicals to replace the toxic ones we are putting into the environment. The green chemistry movement began in the 1990s, as society began to realize the impending energy crisis it would face. The green chemistry movement can be seen as the basis for the push toward renewable energy technology we see today.1 In 1998, Paul Anastas and John Warner created the official twelve steps of green chemistry, which focus on proactive approaches instead that on responsive approaches, reducing the number of hazardous chemicals used, and preventing pollution, among other things. Because it is a new science, the effects of green chemistry have yet to be fully seen, but its proponents believe that green chemistry will substantially reduce the toxicity of the chemicals we use to produce energy.2 Green technology is the use of green chemistry to produce energy. a more environmentally friendly product. There are many ways to do this, including less wasteful temperature control, energy-efficient cars and environmentally friendly appliances. One of the most obvious is the ecological temperature control. Heating and cooling… half the paper… 78% of its energy comes from nuclear power plants and it stores waste deep underground, drilling to depths where the rock is 150 million years old. Many other nations also use nuclear energy heavily. Recently, President Obama approved $8 million for new nuclear reactors in the United States, and there are plans to mine uranium in Colorado. Despite all the arguments for and against nuclear energy, the fact remains: it is not renewable. For this reason, many see it as only a temporary solution until wind and solar energy are further developed.12 In conclusion, chemistry is advancing renewable energy in several ways, through wind, solar, nuclear or many other types of energy. While energy will likely remain a hotly debated topic for years to come, one thing is certain: chemistry will continue to play a critical role in how we live our lives..
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