Economic incentives can be used to encourage people to switch to the use of solar energy. One idea to support this argument is the fact that we must do something to reduce our dependence on fossil-fuel energy sources. These sources, which include coal, oil and natural gas, create pollution and thereby threaten the health of the planet and all life on it (Zweibel, et al., 2008, p. 64). Fossil fuels also cause other serious problems, such as the nation's dependence on foreign oil. This results in high energy prices and the ongoing threat of terrorism and war (Schoder, 2011, p. 29). A second idea is found in the fact that solar energy is an abundant resource. Although there are costs involved in creating a new solar energy infrastructure, solar power is otherwise "free" (Zweibel, et al., 2008, p. 73). My third idea is that a "carbon tax" can be used to discourage people from using fossil fuels. In addition, the money raised by the tax could be used to pay for the development of a new energy infrastructure (Schoder, 2011, p. 29). A fourth idea is to point out that the tax would not be as costly as it sounds. According to Zweibel, et al. (2008), the $420 billion needed to develop a solar energy infrastructure could be obtained by raising energy prices by less than 1 cent per kilowatt-hour (p. 73). I believe that these four ideas will help me convince my audience about the feasibility of switching to solar power in the upcoming future.
Schoder, C. E. (2011). A convenient truth about clean energy. The Futurist 45(1), pp. 25-29.
Zweibel, K., Mason, J., & Fthenakis, V. (2008, January). A solar grand plan. Scientific American 298(1), 64-73.
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