• Question: if oil was to run out what would you try to do to replace it?

    Asked by devon to Ailsa, Evan, James, Kath, Ryan on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Ryan Ladd

      Ryan Ladd answered on 18 Jun 2011:

      There’s a lot of research into bio diesel, a fuel made from plants which could be a replacement (if we can make enough!) and, of course, renewable electrical sources like wind farms and solar panels. I think, on a large scale nuclear power could be a good replacement for oil in power stations. A lot of people are scared of nuclear power stations but, done carefully, nuclear power is one of the best and safest I think.

      Personally, I hope my research will help when oil runs out. I think my work could be applied to huge boats and powered by the waves themselves. Essentially, free energy!

    • Photo: Evan Keane

      Evan Keane answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Oil will run out. So you are right to be thinking about this! Personally I would focus on nuclear energy. It has some bad press sometimes but it is VERY safe. For example more people have died in coal mines in China alone since the beginning of I’m A Scientist than have died due to nuclear energy accidents since the Chernobyll accident in 1986. For example NOBODY died due to anything to do with nuclear power in the recent disasters in Japan.

      I would also pump loads of money into another type of nuclear energy – nuclear fusion. This is clean (no toxic waste etc.) and would keep us going basically forever! I have spoken about nuclear fusion in many other questions, so check those out if you want to know more, for example here: http://ias.im/44.954

      😀

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