Annotated bibliography- Alternative Energy

Alexandra Dawson
11-01-15
Professor Fielding
WRTC

Introduction
I have been researching the topic of alternative fuel technology and whether the
government should increase funding going to research and installation of alternative
options to fossil fuels. I have been pursuing this topic for two years now and developed
the interest while attending a STEM program at The University of Virginia. It means a
great deal to me because I am a Biophysical Chemistry major and plan to start a Biofuel
project after I graduate and develop a fuel that is eco friendly, time efficient to make, and
cost effective. I feel that it is important for everyone to be educated on alternative fuel
energy because the depletion of fossil fuels is a current issue that requires an urgent
solution or else will affect everyone including Mrs. Fielding and my WRTC 103 class.

Alternative Energy Sources Can Power the World by 2050. (2015). In S.

Engdahl(Ed.),

Opposing Viewpoints. Energy Alternatives. Farmington Hills,

MI: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com

The information presented is to inform the reader on recent studies that predict
renewable energy being used worldwide by 2050 and the depletion of fossil fuels while
relying solely on alternative resources. Intentions are clear as they make their opinion
dominant in the first paragraph of the article. It is exemplified why it is an informative
paper but uses minimal persuasion to share their cause. Information listed are facts and
statistics quoted by the writers of the piece. Evidence provided in the article is listed
from studies, books, and statistics of experiments performed by the authors quoted.
Comparatively, this source is quite long and every author, book, or quote is listed in the
works cited page. Also mentioned, a separate article was quoted in the writing but most
information is just pulled from books and other sources. Visual aids are used to help you
further understanding of the information but any conclusion made is based off of a
building of facts throughout the article.
With a degree from The University of Minnesota and prior published work, the
author is credible. That degree in civil and environmental engineering, Jacobson states,
"Based on our findings, there are no technological or economic barriers to converting
the entire world to clean, renewable energy sources". Listing opposing arguments for
each side with facts to persuade the reader towards alternative energy, the intended
audience is anyone interested in alternative energy. Information listed is reliable
because it is pulled from published work of many credible sources. Determined by the
amount of people who have studied this topic, factual information is used and there is

no bias. However, there is an underlying tone of persuasion to follow the cause of

choosing alternative energy. This is current right now as we are in the most intense
global warming phase we have ever experienced. As the sea level rises and the
temperature gains half a degree a year, it is being argued to take action now.
I consider this one of my top sources, however, it does not list as many opposing
argument as I would like. Anyone can talk about an idea but no one will fully believe it
until someone else is proven wrong. I can shape my argument well with the factual
evidence listed, which just re-affirms my opinion.
Chu, S. (2010). Government Investment Is Necessary to Further Develop Alternative
Energy. In D. Haugen & S. Musser (Eds.), Opposing Viewpoints.
Energy Alternatives.

Detroit: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from statement

before the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives,

www.energy.gov, 2009, Washington, DC) Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com
Chu informs that laws have been passed in an attempt to fix the environmental
destruction and funding has been given to a few alternative energy options but more
innovation needs to be done amongst environmental facilities and fuel companies. Only
a few thrown out there opinions are present and facts load up the article. All evidence
listed is just public law record or public news, which can be accessed by anyone and
was approved before being listed. There arent any visual aids inserted into the article
but the facts are solid and are listed in the works cited page at the bottom.
The author is credible because they have the credentials and experience to back
up what they are stating. Steven Chu, the author, was appointed Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Energy and winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1997. Chu informs,

"Because the payoffs from research in transformational technologies are both higher
risk and longer term, government investment is critical and appropriate". Anyone
interested in alternative fuels, fossil fuel depletion, or global warming would be the
audience. The information is mostly reliable because it comes from a well-credited
source; however, his personal connection to the topic might make him more enthusiastic
and biased. This topic is very current because of the recently passed environmental
protection laws and is relevant to the impending global environment issues. This article
puts me in the perspective of being a part of the solution.
Reading this article gives me a personal view from inside the laws being passed
about environmental protection. I will quote this source as a primary source and
someone who is an example of the solution. I havent changed which side I am with but
it gives me a better understanding of the legislative/environmental process.
China steps up efforts to tackle curtailment of renewable energy. (2015, October 15).
Retrieved October 30, 2015, from http://icof.infobaselearning.com
Chun, graduate of Stanford University, states that energy issues are not just a
problem occurring in the U.S. but globally, specifically in China. The subject does lean a
little more towards one side; however, the central goal of this piece is to simply report
this information and not out to persuade people to take their side on the topic.
A document released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
was mentioned as a reference to using renewable energy versus oil and petroleum. No
visual aids are used but many quotes are used which shows that pieces of information
found are opinions and not solid facts studied in a scientific environment.

Anyone interested in alternative energy worldwide would be the intended

audience. There are limited opinions involved in this article, which leads me to believe
there is bias in her work. The NDRC states, "Renewable energy should be given priority,
complemented by conventional energy in a local network with peak shaving, in order to
reduce the need for constructing grid capacity to export electricity. Global warming and
alternative energy are major problems right now in the entire world, which makes this
relevant.
This is a relatively small source compared to my others but it provides a vital fact
that I was unable to get from any of them which is relatable outside of the United States.
This fact also exhibits how serious this environmental issue is because it is global, not
just national. I am genuinely shocked from information in this article because I had no
idea what a global impact this issue was making or that it was being discussed
elsewhere. I stand by my opinion but I am enlightened on how big this issue is.

Energy Policy. Issues & Controversies, July 15, 2013. Accessed October 29,

2015

Retrieved from. http://icof.infobaselearning.com

The article gives a lot of information but uses back and forth argument to
entertain the reader. The information listed is credible but the author uses it in an
argumentative way to make it educational. From the beginning, there is no clear path
the author supports by listing points from every side. There seems to be speculation
with a few quotes that appear more opinionated by personal agenda instead of
unbiased observation. It is argued throughout the paper whether it is too risky to invest
in alternative fuels or go out on a limb. Oil companies, some sectors of the government,
and wealthy investors of fossil fuels rejected attempts that support alternative fuels right

away. The source is short because the article was put together by an educational
website who uses a compilation of books and periodicals. There are 5+ references to
laws and projects that were put into action to resolve the issue. Information retrieved
from books is given credit in the works cited page at the bottom of the article. There are
a few visual aids such as a graph that exhibits public opinion on U.S. energy policies or
a pie chart giving the percentages of energy use in The United States. Conclusions
were discovered looking at a list of argument points, which out weighed the opposing
points.
The author is published on an educational website provided through the
university with information from sources who are credited in their field. They state,
Many observers have urged the government to craft energy policies that steer the public
away from oil and gasoline toward "cleaner" sources of energy like wind or solar power,
but others believe that the international demand for fossil fuels is still high enough to
require a renewed focus on procuring those resources. The intended audience is
anyone interested in alternative fuel. Despite these sources coming from credible
individuals, they are still expressing their opinion on a subject they feel strongly about
making them biased towards their own thoughts. Considering the increase in global
warming effects and decrease of fossil fuels, this topic is relevant to everyone right now,
worldwide.
This source is a HUGE contributor to my paper because of the amount of opposing
arguments listed yet factual evidence flourishing it. This source did change my opinion
on my topic but not to the opposing side. Being my very first source, it opened up my
eyes to how serious this issue was and how much factual evidence backs it up. It also

concerns me with how not much is being done about it in the government or
environmental agencies.
The individuals quoted are not qualified enough to be reliable but the author is credible
by receiving a degree is the topic shChina steps up efforts to tackle curtailment of
renewable energy.
Flavin, C., & Sawin, J. (2010). Renewable Energy Sources Can Meet America's
Energy
Viewpoints.Energy

Demands. In D. Haugen & S. Musser (Eds.), Opposing

Alternatives. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted

from World Watch, 2007, 20, 2-4) Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com

This resource is used solely to inform readers on different types of alternative
energies such as solar, hydroelectric, and wind. There is no intention in this article to
persuade or push anyone to a specific side; it was just an informative paper. The main
claim is there are many alternative options to fossil fuels that can be used to cover all of
the worlds power. The information offered in the paper are statistics that come from
books and periodicals with no unsure opinions or assumptions. The source is lengthy
because the article was composed from so many authors and sources but published by
one individual. Every contributor whose information was used is listed on the works
cited page along with the multiple mentions of other articles and sources of information
in the paper itself. There are no visual aids to help you understand the information but
all of the information used leads to a conclusion well supported by facts.
The authors used come from a credible site linked directly from James Madison
Universitys resource site. The article is directed towards individuals interested in
different types of alternative energy, which benefits me because I am supporting

alternative forms of energy. Stated by the author, The Stanford researchers estimated
global wind energy potential at 72,000 GW. This means that, with current technology,
wind could supply more than 10 times as much electricity as the world now uses. This
source only confirms my support for alternative energy and its benefits for the
environment. As global environmental issues grow, this topic becomes increasingly
relevant because of its urgent need for resolution.
Comparatively, this source gives me solid facts about what alternative energy is.
It gives me the tools to make a valid argument because I have the evidence in my favor.
This source only confirms my opinion on alternative energy and gives me the
knowledge to back it up.