You May Have Heard The Saying: The Only Constant

You May Have Heard The Saying The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Cha

You may have heard the saying, “The only thing that is constant is change.” Paying attention to the change all around you can help you to better understand your world. For this week’s Exploration Problem, you will use estimation techniques to identify how a topic of your interest has changed and is changing over time. Choose a topic of interest where you can see a change. Review almanacs, newspapers, magazines, or search on the Internet to find two graphs from the topic of interest you have chosen that show data changing from year to year that you find interesting. Choose mathematical models in the form of graphs: In one graph, the data values should be increasing relatively steadily. In the second graph, the data values should be decreasing relatively steadily. Include the images of your graphs. You may insert the image into a Microsoft Word document. Make sure one is showing an increase and one is showing a decrease. Cite the resources from where the graphs came from. Create a 1- to 2-paragraph summary including the following: An explanation of the topic you chose and the data that has changed from year to year that you find interesting. A description of the mathematical models, in the form of graphs, used to demonstrate how the data has changed. A justification of why you think things are changing. An explanation of how you think this change might affect you in the near or distant future. A prediction about what might occur in the future. An identification and presentation of any circumstances that might affect the accuracy of the prediction.

Paper For Above instruction

The topic I have chosen for this exploration is the global usage of renewable energy sources, specifically focusing on solar and coal energy consumption over the past two decades. The data reveals an interesting trend: solar energy consumption has shown a steady increase, while coal consumption has gradually decreased. These changes reflect shifting policy priorities, technological advancements, and environmental concerns. The datasets I selected from reputable sources, including the International Renewable Energy Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration, provide visual representations in the form of graphs. The first graph illustrates a consistent rise in solar energy use, modeled approximately by a linear or exponential growth curve, indicating increasing adoption and technological improvements making solar more affordable and accessible. Conversely, the second graph depicts a steady decline in coal usage, likely modeled by a linear decrease, owing to environmental regulations and the rising costs associated with fossil fuel dependency.

The mathematical models underlying these graphs serve as valuable tools for understanding the nature of these changes. The upward trend in solar energy can be attributed to technological innovations, government incentives, and decreasing costs of solar panels, making renewable energy more competitive. The declining coal consumption is justified by environmental policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and the rising economic feasibility of cleaner alternatives. These shifts suggest a transition away from fossil fuels towards sustainable energy sources, driven by environmental urgency and technological progress. This change could significantly affect my life by influencing future job markets, energy costs, and environmental quality. As renewable energy becomes more prevalent, I anticipate a continued decline in fossil fuel dependence, leading to cleaner air and climate stability.

In predicting future trends, it is plausible that solar energy adoption will continue to accelerate, perhaps reaching a saturation point as technology matures and costs drop further. Meanwhile, coal usage is likely to diminish substantially, possibly replaced by other renewable sources such as wind or nuclear power. However, economic circumstances, geopolitical tensions, or technological breakthroughs could affect these trends’ accuracy. Factors like policy changes, market fluctuations, or breakthroughs in energy storage could either accelerate or slow down these transitions, emphasizing the importance of monitoring related developments to refine these predictions accurately.

References

  • International Renewable Energy Agency. (2022). Renewable Energy Statistics 2022. https://www.irena.org/publications
  • U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2023). Electricity Data. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data
  • Bloomberg New Energy Finance. (2023). Solar Market Outlook. https://about.bnef.com
  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2022). Solar Energy Technologies Office. https://www.nrel.gov
  • World Bank. (2023). World Development Indicators. https://data.worldbank.org
  • Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Clean Power Plan Overview. https://www.epa.gov
  • International Energy Agency. (2022). Coal 2022: Analysis and forecast. https://www.iea.org
  • Renewable Energy World. (2023). Trends in Renewable Energy Adoption. https://www.renewableenergyworld.com
  • Statista. (2023). Solar Energy Consumption Worldwide. https://www.statista.com
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2022). Climate Data & Analysis. https://www.noaa.gov