Proposal+afsp1

=**__E.A.T.__**=

**__E__**nergy **__A__**lternatives **__T__**eam
Burning fossil fuels = more efficient, shorter life span, horrible death. Alternative energy = harder to get, longer life

The big question -- which one would the world choose? Alternative energy is defined as an energy source that does not deplete the Earth’s natural resources and is renewable (with the exception of nuclear energy). Currently, most of the world is using the remains of dead dinosaurs or carbon to create energy. Some would argue that this way is simpler, but the fact remains that it contributes to global warming, the second greatest threat to mankind right after the use of nuclear and chemical weapons. If the people of the world can find it in their hearts to switch to alternative energy, then we can stop global warming, save millions of lives, and take one giant leap closer to world peace.

Alternative energy refers to wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, biomass power, geothermal power and so on. The cleanest sources of power are wind power, solar power, and hydroelectric power. These produce a decent amount of energy and can be used anywhere but are vulnerable to natural disasters. On the contrary, the other forms of alternative energy produce less or more energy but are harder to obtain. Nuclear power is an exception to both of these. It is a relatively clean form of energy, but it will eventually run out.

There are other organizations that are working on the issue of alternative energy and fuel. Some of the local organizations include the Beijing Energy Efficiency Center, the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, the Joint U.S. China Cooperation on Clean Energy, and the Chinese Wind Energy Association. All of these organizations focus on helping China create new fuel and energy. The government is also doing its best to play its part in this issue.

Our organization would like to concentrate on expanding the use of hydroelectric energy, wind energy, solar energy, and nuclear energy. We believe that these are clean solutions to the energy problem. The Chinese government has already agreed to start switching from harmful, wasteful energy to clean and mostly renewable energy. We would like to try to convince some farms or small companies to switch to alternative fuels or raise enough money to build some and possibly install one on the Shanghai American School grounds.

The cost of a good windmill is about 40,000 dollars. This price will be evened out in about 12 to 15 years. A sturdy windmill can last for 30 years. This means that one would save at least 38,000 dollars before the windmill breaks. A 41,000 square inch solar panel with an included deposit to keep the energy in, enough to power a house, would cost around 32,000 dollars. We would like to focus about half of our attention on raising the funds to construct one of these alternative energy generators.

We may need to obtain a permit to build a solar panel or windmill, and we all still have to find a way to fund the construction. We are struggling to pave a path for these materials to reach us. EAT is also in an inconclusive state on the matter of trying to promote the use of nuclear energy. With the suspicions these days about North Korea and WMD’s, we are unsure if we can make it. However, despite these indecisive factors, EAT has high hopes for success.

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