Overview
Write an 8-10 page paper MLA format that answers the questions on the following two topics below. Make sure to cite your sources. Avoid plagiarism because you are submitting your paper through Turnitin. A good paper will have clear arguments, is written well, and shows that the student can clearly summarize ideas or theories, and can also discuss them critically.
Energy: Research the energy sector and its future in the United States. Getting to carbon neutrality by 2050 or earlier means that we need to restructure the energy system in profound ways and utilize sustainable energy sources. The need for more energy will continue to grow simply based on population growth (around 370-400 million people in the US by 2050, roughly 9.5 billion people worldwide by 2050, an increase of 1.5 billion from today.) Currently, about 78% of the nation’s energy comes from fossil fuels, 8.9% from nuclear, and 12.5% from renewable sources. Write a short research paper that looks at the current energy system in the US, the various plans and proposals on how to revamp it, and the costs and implications for this reorganization. What kind of energy system will we have in 2050? How likely is it in your opinion that we will reach carbon neutrality by 2050?
Trash: The environment is not just threatened through global warming. Humans are also terrible polluters: “Americans throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day – that's nearly 1,800 pounds of materials per American every year. The majority of waste (62%) discarded by homes and businesses in the U.S. is ultimately dumped into landfills or burned in incinerators.” Research the trash problem for the US and globally. What are we doing to our environment, and what steps can be taken to change the current situation?