Could we have solved the alternative energy crisis with the same money we've wasted on Iraq?

Question

Could we have solved the alternative energy crisis with the same money we've wasted on Iraq?

Answer 1

Yes, a lot but people don't care, politicians are corrupt, and unfortunately it's a problem future generations will have to deal with, but by then it really might be too late.

Answer 2

Well, the question asked wasn't partisan in nature, aside from the use of the word "wasted." It simply asked if we could solve our energy crisis with the money that we've "wasted" in Iraq.

The answer is yes and no.

Yes, we could have probaby bought more energy from the conventional sources from which we derive it - namely, nonrenewable resources. This would have probably solved any and all short term energy needs and reduced strain on our electrical grid (which, by and large, is doing fine).

We still would have a global energy shortage because no matter how much money you have, we will still end up using more energy than we produce. Being able to buy up a bigger share of that energy does not make it infinite or solve any sort of crisis.

The only argument that could be made is that the money could have been reinvested into alternative sources, which we are already investing plenty enough already.

Humanity has done pretty well for itself thus far, and it'll adapt to its energy crisis. Have faith. We'll be necessity-driven.

Answer 3

Probably not, but given that the current cost for the war is $500 billion and a 5 megawatt wind turbine costs $500k that's the equivalent of a million wind turbines. Put another way a 40MW solar plant can be built for $171 million ("Waldpolenz" solar park in Germany) so that's nearly 3,000 solar plants. There is still the issue of petroleum for cars etc but it would have made a significant dent in the electricity supply problem!

Answer 4

Now we have an alternative energy crisis?  Everything is a crisis to you alarmists.  What gives?  It is not as if alarmists paid for anything.  The outcries of support and increased tax money or to us who work for a living and not sit home all day and call our parents idiots for not buying efficient products, all the while supporting alarmists.

Answer 5

yes, i think we could be making some changes becuse people only care about the war and they are not thinking about the earth and the enviorment.

Answer 6

with the 12 billion a day that we are spending over seas could have went to many other crisis that are taking place in our country today. The war in Iraq cause has been lost, due to we have just provided them with more guns and more US bodies to practice their shot ting skills so that they can do as they want and kill us off. That money could have helped companies acquire equipment to lessen the emissions, build new factories that produce less toxins, to promote new or current home owners to invest in hydro/solar power, etc...

Answer 7

My own perspective is; they could at least upgrade what nuclear plants we have now to modern capabilities. America is so far behind in utilizing technology it is laughable.

Answer 8

yes.

Answer 9

Except for nuclear power plants and solar in some places, we don't have other practical alternatives that could be exploited with that money.  That might be enough to help some, but we will still need a lot of oil and that's why we need to be in Iraq.

Answer 10

what good does it do us to solve the alternative energy crisis if we're being bombed in the US by terrorists on a regular basis.  I think it's better to fight this war over there instead of here.

Answer 11

Its to soon to draw a conclusion on Iraq if the middle east stabilizes it was Worth it.  However bringing that up in this forum is of no real value.    Were not in a crisis however if we get to that point you will learn that necessity is the mother of invention.  America has the ability lets hope we have the will.

Answer 12

I tend to think so. What are we doing In Iraq anyway?

Answer 13

No, and I wouldn't call it wasted either.

Answer 14

i think the war has gotten out of hand but don't say it's wasted, because it's not all.  i'm sure we could have improved the situation, but i highly doubt we could have solved it entirely.

Answer 15

Psh... don't even listen to 'The Voice of Reason', we are doing absolutely nothing in Iraq, I don't even know what we are doing there? Do you? Anyway, we could have made great advances in that area, and created a whole lot of new jobs as well, over all, it would have helped this 'recession' as well. But in the end, we need to do more than just invest in alternative energy. It will help, but unless we find a renewable, non polluting energy source, we need to cut carbon emissions as well. Hillary Clinton would do an excellent job being president, and she will do wonders, especially with the environment. If we destroy the environment, we are destroying ourselves.

Answer 16

Nope. In fact by killing millions of people we are reducing the co2 emmissions from human breathing.