-Solar - Is there an energy source more abundant that the sun? You might think harnessing that energy is a relatively new concept however; some ancient civilizations used it as a heat source. Even the modern equivalent is not a new idea; solar photovoltaic effect was first realized in 1800! Technology for this green renewable energy has progressed albeit at a snail’s pace.

-Hydroelectric-This is another abundant energy source that has been around for over 100 years. Modern hydroelectric plants are complex but the basic concept is to use the movement of water to turn turbines in order to generate electricity. Hydro projects are cropping up all around the world however; they are limited by the necessity of being near a large body of running water, most often a river however, ocean tides have been studied for possible hydroelectric development.

-Geothermal- Did you know that at a roughly ten feet below the earth’s surface the temperature stays pretty much the same year round? This is the basis of geothermal heating systems today. Pipes can be buried in the ground close to your home or building, these pipes will contain a fluid similar to antifreeze, which will then circulate via a pump. During the winter months, the warmer earth provides even heating for a structure while in the summer, this process is reversed and heat from the building is removed and replaced with the cooler temperatures of the earth below. Generally speaking, the temperature at this level will be between 50-60 degrees year round.

-Alternative Fuels

Perhaps one of the biggest concerns people face today is finding alternative fuels for automobiles. Many different substances have been research and tested but the jury is still out on the alternative fuel that will begin to replace gasoline a derivative of crude oil. Some of the suggestions sound good at the start, but as with many of the other eco friendly plans being discussed many of them are flawed and would be cost prohibitive. For example, it is a well-known fact that fuel for the internal combustion engine can be created from corn. The problem with this answer is many fold.

For starters, growing corn is very hard on the nutrients of the soil. Most farmers who grow corn rotate with another crop to replace what corn strips from the earth. In addition to this problem you must also remember that corn is a main staple of the American diet, it is used as food product for much of the livestock that provide meat and eggs plus it is found in many other foods as well. Growing massive quantities of corn to fuel automobiles is irresponsible on many levels but especially from a sustainability perspective.

There is plenty of room for discovery when it comes to alternative fuels. One solution may be to find a replacement for the internal combustion engine. If engineers could discover another type of engine that would move several thousand pounds of metal true green efforts could begin that would put us on track for sustainability.

Conservation

Another issue with sustainability is the protection of the assets the earth already provides. Trees, grasslands, ecosystems, animals and even bugs work together in an intricate manner to keep this planet thriving. Removing a species of plant or animal life leaves us at risk for a complete ecosystem break down.

At this point, you may be wondering, as many do just why so little has been done to move the world closer to resolution of these many problems. Unfortunately the answer is about as complex as the question, politics, economics and finding a balance between sustainability and social progress are at the top of the list.