read this article and answer the given question.

1. What is your opinion on renewable energy vs. fossil fuels? Which renewable energy do you favor if we go in that direction? Do you believe that the U.S. should be a leader in renewable energy or a follower after other nations research the viability, efficiency and cost? Defend your answer.

Renewable Energy Nanette Galloway is a staff writer for Downbeach Current, which is a for a Sustainable part of Shore News Today, a local news source for coastal towns Future in New Jersey. Her articles cover Nanette Galloway local government, community, and school news. Galloway has been the recipient of two New Jersey Press Association journalism awards. This blog posting provides a brief overview of our dependence on fossil fuels and the efforts to move toward renewable energy sources. As you read the arti- cle, think about the advantages of renewable energy, as well as the challenges we face in integrating them into society. In 2015, the United States invested $44.1 billion in renewable energy. Yet for every dollar spent developing renewables, nearly S4 was spent to maintain the country's dependence on fossil fuels. Oil, coal and natural gas are derived from the accumulated remains of ancient plants and animals. Burning these fuels releases the carbon from these ancient organisms into the atmosphere. This increases the amount of greenhouse gas and is considered to be one of the principal causes of global warming. NASA, NOAA and other scientific agencies insist it is fact, not an opin- ion, that the burning of fossil fuels has increased global temperatures over the last century When we talk about renewable energy, we are talking about harnessing energy sources that are more or less consistent and will not be depleted. The advantages of using renewables are obvious. Resources like the s sun, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and biopower will not run out and do not release any damaging material. Conversely, fossil fuels are nonrenew- "When we talk about renew- able. When burned, they release car- able energy, we are talking bon dioxide and other particulates that about harnessing energy are damaging to human health. Sulfur released through the burning of these sources that are more or less fuels produces acid rain. As a result, consistent and will not be coral reefs are dying through ocean depleted." The Renewable Electricity Futures Study found that an 80 percent renewable future is feasible with current available technology. This includes wind turbines, solar photovoltaic, biopower, geothermal and hydropower. A comprehensive study by the Department of Energy's acidification 239 240 How Is Sustainability a Transnational Issue? National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows that the United States could generate most of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. Countries around the world are embracing renewable technology. China is investing $361 billion into renewable energy to meet its long- term energy needs. Other countries like Sweden, Germany, Scotland and Ireland are racing toward being the first countries to be free of producing electricity from fossil fuels. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, India, Nepal, Brazil and Guyana are seeing rapid expansion of small-scale renewable systems. Countries with few resources are opting for renewables because they are not only the most environmentally sound, but also the cheapest options. Developing renewable energy systems that will carry us far into the future is a better choice than propping up outdated systems where the fuel required will eventually run out. It is better to keep the carbon that is locked in fossil fuels in the ground, rather than releasing it back in the atmosphere. Investing in renewable energy is a far better choice for ensuring a sustainable future