GEN 301 K
Science of Alternative Energy
Essay #2
Topic #1 Of the two topic options I chose to critically analyze the quote by Richard Balzhiser, the former president of Electric Power Research Institute. The quote is “Energy is not an end to itself. The fundamental goals we should have in mind are a healthy economy and a healthy environment. We have to tailor our energy policy as a means to those ends, not just for this country but in global terms as well.” Looking at the first sentence of the quote “energy is not an end to itself” I see one clear meaning behind this statement. Richard Balzhiser is telling the audience that energy is not existing for no purpose. It is here on this earth to be used to support and sustain life. I agree with this statement because I too believe that all of the resources and fuels that are on this Earth have been put here to support the life that is dwelling in it. The key factor is that there are multiple energy sources not just a few. As a people and nations working together we must cooperate together to take full advantage of the resources at hand without focusing solely on just a couple. When we focus on just a few energy chances it not only diminishes those energy sources faster but it also takes away from the advancements we could be achieving if we widened our options. The second sentence talks about not only having a healthy economy but a healthy environment as well. The two go hand in hand because one affects the other in an equal amount. If we focus on our economic gains and turn an eye to the environmental negative influences we are creating, it damages the health of our people as well as the natural world around us. Too many times people forget that we may be an industrialized nation but we still depend on the fruits of the natural world to keep us thriving as a country.
The third sentence speaks on how we have to change our energy policy so that our economy can thrive as long as the health of the nation. Furthermore it is not just important that we change the health and economy of our own country through positive energy means but also influence other nations in a constructive way as well. It is not just enough to be successful in what a single nation does independently because we all share the same Earth and everyone is affected by the decisions indirectly or directly by other countries. In conclusion the summary of the quote by Richard Balzhiser goes as follows. This message was directed not at a single country or nation but to center the attention of the importance of health in multiple areas. These areas include the economy, environment, and a policy that will lead us to such an idea. With cooperation from all sides a stable and thriving world can exist where everyone wins and the environment does not have to be the one that pays for the actions of man in a negative way. I feel like I agree with what the quote focused on for a number of reasons. The first reason I agree with what was said is that the well-being of the home we all live in is one of the most important motivations that should concern people when they think of energy that benefits an economy. A lot of times nature and the environment are brushed off to the side and are only minor discussions that occur when companies