Question

Debate the following two issues inclass. (a) The estimated coal reserves are said to be enough to last us for another two hundred years. Do you think we need to worry about coal getting depleted in this case ? Why or why not ? (b) it is estimated that the sun will last for another five billion years. Do we need to worry about solar energy getting exhausted ? Why or why not ? On the basis of the debate, decide which energy sources can be considered (i) exhaustible, (ii) inexhaustible, (iii) renewable and (iv) non-renewable. Give your reasons for each coice.

Answer 1

a)the estimated coal reserves can last up to 100-200 years. YES it is a cause of concern because once it get exhausted it takes millions of years to form coal. It might be enough for our generation but what about future generations. So we should opt for a sustainable development.

b)it is estimated that sun will last for another five billion years. NO we need not worry about it because 5 billions is a very long time period for which our human race need not worry about. 

we should consider inexhaustible and renewable sources of energy.
We should use more renewable sources of energy because we can renew .