Why do we still use fossil fuel when we have the technology to use alternative power?

Question

Why do we still use fossil fuel when we have the technology to use alternative power?

Answer 1

Change occurs very slowly for several reasons.

1)  We have already built millions of gasoline powered cars.

2) The people who build the cars don't like te idea of having to invest in new manufacturing plants and technology to produce a different type of car.

3) The people who sell the gasoline [and related products] don't want to see their cash cow go bye bye

Just a few reasons, but you get the point.  Check out a movie called "Tucker" for a little insight of how people don't always welcome change.

Answer 2

WHY   Mother nature has a recycle system that works . So that means we will never run out of fossil fuels.

Answer 3

American car co. were producing electric trucks in the 1920s because the gas motors didn't have the H,P. needed to haul loads up hills, But just as soon as they made more powerful gas/diesel engine the electric trucks went away. The oil co.s hold major stock in the auto industry and they decide what engines are put in every thing. Electric technology has had the power we need for 80+years ,GREED has kept it from us!

Answer 4

I think it's the oil companies don't want to lose money. I would like to get my car converted to LPG one day or my next car.

Answer 5

Exactly. Alternative sources have been available for years. But the oil companys in bed with government prevent the development.

We have enough alternatve sources now to at least put a dent in the daily use of oil. But nobody is seriously developing them. It is happening but at a very slow rate. So a lesson learned, don't elect a oil man for president.

Answer 6

It is because we are stealing the fossil fuels.  Coal, oil and gas were deposited in the earth long before man and so belong to all of us and to future generations.  When we burn fossil fuel we are stealing it from everybody else.  All we pay is the cost of extraction plus profit and a little tax but what we should pay is the cost of replacing it.  Fossil fuels would then be as expensive as energy from renewable resources (solar, wind and tidal) and renewables would be a more attractive option.  Governments need to step in to curtail this theft of the worlds resources.  Oil, gas and coal have better uses than being burnt.

Answer 7

It's still the cheapest way to go if you don't count little side effects.

Like global warming and being dependent on other countries, many of which have unstable governments.

Answer 8

the only way is for each and everyone of us vote with the power of the bottom line.. cold hard cash...

i try to cut down save re-cycle every chance i get.. i have saved a small fortune and done my bit so far... i have saved £80 in 1 months my home is carbon nutural as far as it can be.. change my energy to one that uses wind solar and wave power.. h2o its called.. i have stopped using the car for pointless trips now and walk everywhere i can and have lost pounds in flesh.. so the only winner i can see is me.. over a year the cash saved would pay for a holiday at home.. as i dont want to fly anymore as one country is like all the rest.. and my husband and i like cabins lakes and fishing and friends can have great times .. with home made wine and beer too! were all laughing.. leave some of the 20th century behind and too the greedy selfish self centred fools.. and live life as it should be clean and free... if you aint buying their product and services.. how can they survive.. go green.. get rich..  gel real de-stress and be happy!

Answer 9

The military industrial complex has gotten so influential in the United States that the last thing they really want is for peace to break out worldwide due to alternative energy.  If you look at yearly military budgets spiraling out of control, and the withering governmental support for alternative energy you can see their influence quite clearly.

Answer 10

It's because we have come so dependant on fossil fuels. personally I think we should use renewable energy for like cars and transport and save are fossil fuels for plastics and making metals, etc

Answer 11

We are getting ready to use alternative fuel . Beginning in 2008 everything is going to change as far a fuel goes . Why do you think oils  so darn high . There trying to get as much as they can out of it before its almost worthless .

Answer 12

Don't know, don't care, sorry dude. What's fossil fuel?

Answer 13

MONEY

--oil companies will lose money

--middle eastern and some African countries that have economies that rely on exporting oil in to great depression

--people will have to invest in new cars

--building plants and factories that will produce energy from different sources will cost money

plus people can't agree on other what other sources of energy to use Sources. like wind energy and water energy can't only be used in few places. Nuclear is the most practical it doesn't produce any air pollution but it leaves radio active waste that won't be harmful for a few 100 years. And in order to have a nuclear power plant you need nuclear reactors that are also used to make nuclear bombs and power countries like the US and Japan don't feel safe with unstable countries like South Korea having access to those

Answer 14

I think use sugar cane or corn made fuel to replace the fossil fuel is safe but more costly in making it.

Answer 15

Sure we have the technology....  but that technology is still in the early stages.  Do you think people would trade in their brand new Porche for a Ford Model T???  because that is pretty much the equivalent of the electric and alternate fuel vehicles we have.  Sure you can buy an electric sports car but it will cost you the same amount of money as a very well equiped gas sports car that has much more power and range.  And when it comes down to it, people won't pay that much money for something and worry about if it is "green".  Face it if you are buying a sports car,  you aren't worrying about being "green".

People didn't start buy gas cars to replace their horses until cars became affordable and reliable.  Same goes for alternate fuel vehicles, until they become affordable and reliable they won't sell.

Hybrids are the closest thing available that has the chance of widespread use.  But they are still only "better" when used at lower speeds and distances.  If you make long commutes at highway speeds you could do just as well with a new gas model that gets high milage.

Answer 16

It is all down to peoples greed . World talk about saving planet is lip service . Countries that have oil you will be aware get all help ,including military intervention to protect the supply of a resource that controls the world . Just picture if Zimbabwe had oil , the world super powers would have intervened years ago . Need I say more?

Answer 17

What alternative technology? I have not heard of anything that's viable.

Please eMail me with a list.

Answer 18

even if america changes drastically, look how bad china etc.... is getting.  we are still far off from excluding fossil fuels, but at least the majority of people recognize change is needed.