The other day, I read a Maneater column discussing the need for energy independence in the US. While I wholeheartedly agree with what was said about our need to provide our own energy supply, I do not necessarily think that we need to rule out oil and fossil fuels altogether.
The United States currently has enough oil to well exceed its energy demands, and in the year 2020 we are expected to become the world’s largest exporter of the commodity. The US also has huge natural gas reserves and Missouri is one of the top states for coal supplies. Despite what many may say about global warming, I believe that the only flaw to these resources that we should be concerned with is that they are finite in supply and they will not replenish quickly enough to keep up with demand. Many countries throughout the world have already begun research on alternative supplies of energy. Brazil, for example, has used sugar ethanol as its only sources of fuel for vehicles. Not only is this more environmentally friendly, but it is also a renewable resource that can more than keep up with demand. The sugar has also proven to yield more energy output than corn ethanol does.
Perhaps our country could learn a thing or two from Brazil about how to power our country sustainably. However, in the meantime, our number one priority should be national security and the best way to obtain that is by utilizing our own energy reserves and keeping money inside our country rather than by sending it to places that burn our flag on September 11.
Robbie Schmitt
rpswx7@mail.missouri.edu