The Country's Future in the Hands of Different Energy Resources

       A transition to clean energy is about making an investment in our future.

- Gloria Reuben

    Energy is inevitable in our daily lives. It is an essential part of our existence that enables us to keep going, as well as the different 'spheres' present on Earth geosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. From the beginning of the universe supported by different theories, up to the present day with machines and technology present, energy is always present. Simple movements or unmoving objects also emit energy, although it is not visibly seen. Even the this article itself was made possible by energy. It makes our work easier and quicker. With our continuous consumption of different forms of energy in our everyday routine, how does our energy resources in our country would be affected?

        According to Statistical Review of World Energy last  2013, the total primary energy consumption of the Philippines in 2012 was 30.2 Mtoe (million Tonnes of oil equivalent), most of which came from fossil fuels. Not only Philippines, but the whole world as well is consuming fossil fuels the most than other energy resources. Fossil fuels include coal, crude oil, and natural gas. Burning these fossils fuels produce energy that would allow electricity to generate, engines to work, and machines to operate. For more than 100 years, fossil fuels had been consumed. However, despite of its benefits towards our system, it harms our planet's condition and is believe that would come into an end. According to the US EIA, world energy use is forecast to grow by 50 percent (half as much again) between 2020 and 2050. Around 83 percent of the energy we use on Earth today comes from fossil fuels, but that cannot continue much longer. Fossil fuels will run out sooner or later and, even if they last longer than expected, they could make global warming run out of control. Clearly, Philippines would be highly affected by this resource threat. 

    Avoiding the problem of energy scarcity in the future, renewable energy could be offered as a solution that will not only save the people from its needs, but would save the Earth's condition as well. With advancement of knowledge, we can already discover features from Earth that can produce not just fossil fuels, but also sustainable and renewable energies. There are many different options for getting energy, and if we explore each method, we will find benefits and drawbacks for each one. 

One type of renewable energy is solar. Solar power comes from the sun and is when the sun’s rays are converted into electricity. However, this might be a little expensive for the government, but there are quite several communities and establishments that rely on solar power. Another source of alternative energy is wind energy. Wind turbines convert wind into electricity. We already have wind turbines established on certain parts of our country such as the Pagudpud Windmills. There are more renewable resources such as biomass, hydrothermal, and geothermal energy. All of these secures a more sustainable energy provision that would cause less harm to our environment. If the government would invest into these type of energy resources, we would stop relying unto other countries' provision of fossil fuels that has uncontrollable prices, and could further affect our economy.

       All in all, it is true that energy keeps everyone going, and is always present in the society. Energy keeps the nations moving and when we say energy, it refers to any forms of it. As energy is essential to our daily lives, its resources would be as important as it is. Having fossil fuels might be enough, but its fleeting and would cause harm to our environment. Government investing on renewable resources is a great and better choice, as it uses our natural resources appropriately and would cause lower fares for everybody. Our country, together with innovation, could achieve an effective way to obtain renewable energy, in order to achieve the sustainability of every asset of the country.

- Laiza Basihan