We already have alternative energy technologies why not invest more in those than more oil drilling?

i'm just wondering what you thinkWe already have alternative energy technologies why not invest more in those than more oil drilling?
One problem is not just alternative fuels, but rather the infrastructure.





In English, the industry is dependent upon oil and gas, and to just switch over to recycled kitchen grease and genetically engineered algae isn't as easy as it looks. They need to set up these industries first and phase out fossil fuels. And this takes time.





One could also say conspiracy to keep the oil countries rich.





And both would be correct.We already have alternative energy technologies why not invest more in those than more oil drilling?
Well, from my understanding, many of the alternative technologies are not as viable as they are being made out to be. One statistic I read (on the internet...veracity is as good as that implies) stated that it would take a cornfield the size of Africa to fuel America on Ethanol for one year..





Of course, we are investing a lot in them to make them work. The drilling solution comes in because they simply aren't here soon enough. Stephen Colbert had a dead-on analogy with it a week or so ago on his show, when he explained it to himself. Basically, he presented a three card monte game to represent drilling. You can pick any or all of the cards in this game, though. So, when one is picked, he pulls out a power drill and starts drilling through the card, and the table.





When asked about an alternative, he presented an empty table and said simply, it doesn't exist yet.





So, the solution to high gas prices is either one that destroys your furniture, or one that doesn't exist yet.





Such is life, I guess...
There is no reason we shouldn't. It is true that ethanol is a scam, but there are many other more effective ways to do things such as with electricity. For those who say none of the alternative energies are as effective, well that's because people like you refuse to fund them! Oil has been around for over a hundred years and has been one of the biggest industries, which is why it's so effective. It's no because it's the only thing out there that will work. If given enough money, there is bound to be another source of energy just as effective if not more.





Also the new drilling you are thinking of will destroy ecosystems vital to US! What many people fail to realize is that everything on this earth is connected even if you don't think it is. All the people living in New York are connected to even the life living in the deepest oceans through a DELICATE balance of ecosystems. We can't afford to damage or destroy those delicate systems, for our own good.
Because they are more expensive and anytime someone proposes putting in wind turbines or a solar array everyone that lives around the area puts up a fuss because they don't want their view ruined. They are called NIMBY's which stands for ';Not In My Backyard';





Or the greenie weenies start complaining because there's some three footed blind naked wiggly mole rat that lives in the area and they don't want them to be disturbed.





Everybody wants ';alternative'; energy sources but no one wants them to be built near them.





Another problem is if the wind or solar electricity farms are built out in the boonies you have to build power transmission lines to get it to where the people are and you get the same protests as for the energy sources.
Alternative energies, solar,wind, and hydro, are nice talking points, but could no where near supply our energy needs for a reasonable cost. There is a reason that oil is king for cars, and coal/nuke are king for power plants. They are the most cost efficient means to provide power to people. For the last 100 years, the market has built power plants and infrastructure to take advantage of the most efficient natural resources. We use these means of power because they are the cheapest. To move to other sources means a huge investment in new infrastructure. New power lines, wind farms, solar collectors, dams would all need to be built from nothing. In addition, we would still need to maintain the current system as back up. The cost would be enormous. If you think $4.00 gas is bad, wait till we try and move away from fossil fuels. The base price of the renewables would be more (or else they would already enjoy favored status) and we would need to build the new infrastructure. That coupled with the fact that much of the old system would need to remain makes the renewables a nice talking point for politicians, but an expensive policy for us tax payers.
I have come up with a solution. You do not need to give me credit, just spread it around.





By 2010 all vehicles must be electric as their primary source of power. When the batteries drop to a certain point they switch over to a gas turbine engine (like what is used now). This type of technology already exists. Also by 2010 all new buildings are to be equipped with solar panels with enough strength to completely power their home. This would make all local driving basically free and distance driving would still cost people the same as it is now. This should do several things. First it will lower the cost of oil because there will be less of a demand. Second it will free us from oil both foreign and domestic. Third it will help stop the carbon dioxide build up in our atmosphere.





This is not a short term solution. The energy crisis is not a short term problem.
Western civilization will not stop burning hydrocarbons anytime soon, because there simply is no way to change that fast. There are no alternatives that can replace hydrocarbons except nuclear. Cellulosic ethanol shows promise and could one day replace coal, oil and gas, but it is currently only a concept.
I agree!.....now....do some research...and tell me which ';things'; like oh, let's say... tennis shoes, some clothing,vehicle parts,(*thousands of other things you say you can't do without also!!)...etc.etc..do you want to do without the rest of your life???.....I mean, you give up oil, you give up the bi products of it too right? You wouldn't want to be a hypocrite now would you? Better start thinking about it before you demonize the whole topic!
Alternatives to coal and gas you mean - oil is not a power generating fuel and there is no commercially viable substitute for the internal combustion engine and the petroleum products on which it runs.
At this point in time it isn't cost effective. Drilling will have an effect right now. So will Nuclear. We need to make changes that are going to be effective today.
Invest who`s money, your or mine