With temperatures rising, forests being destroyed and oceans polluted, we need a clean energy source that wont cause more damage to our fragile planet.

隨著溫度升高，森林遭到破壞，海洋也受到汙染，我們需要一個乾淨的能源，不會對我們脆弱的星球造成更多傷害。

As you probably know, there is a lot of debate on which energy source is the best.

你們可能知道，目前哪個能源是最好的，還有很多爭論。

The perfect energy source would be efficient, safe, cheap, clean, and there'd be lots of it.

完美的能源是效率高、安全、便宜、乾淨，且取之不竭。

So, using those criteria, let's take a look at some of the commonly used energy sources to see how they all stack up.

因此，因為這些標準，我們來看看一些常用的能源，它們是如何累積起來的。

The most recent data available from the US ENERGY ADMINISTRATION reports that of all the energy used around the globe in 2017, 33% came from petroleum, 27% from coal, 23% from natural gas. 13% from renewables and 4% from nuclear fission.

美國能源資訊管理局的最新數據指出，2017 年全球使用的所有能源中，33 ％ 來自石油，27％ 來自煤炭，23% 來自天然氣，13％ 來自可再生能源，4% 來自核分裂。

Non-renewables like natural gas and coal release crazy amounts of greenhouse gases and pollutants, so in terms of cleanliness, they're out.

非再生能源，像是天然氣和煤炭，會釋放出大量的溫室氣體和污染物，所以因為清潔的關係，它們出局。

Nuclear produces radioactive material, which we definitely don't want.

核能會生產放射性物質，我們絕對不想要。

After looking at renewables, hydroelectric and wind power are the cleanest sources of energy, producing very little to no emissions or impact on the environment.

研究完可再生能源後，水力發電和風力發電是最乾淨的能源，幾乎不會產生排放物，或對環境造成影響。

We also want an energy source that won't break the bank.

我們也需要一個能源，不會花上太多錢。

Wind is in the lead here too, costing just $45 per megawatt-hour, with natural gas coming in at $87, coal $102, and nuclear $172.

風力發電在這裡也領先其他方式．每百萬瓦時僅需 45 美元，天然氣為 87 美元，煤炭為 102 美元，核能為 172 美元。

While rooftop solar panels aren't very cost-effective, energy from large-scale, utility panels now only costs about $60 per megawatt-hour.

雖然屋頂的太陽能板成本效益不高，但現在大型實用面板的能源成本，每百萬瓦時僅約 60 美元。

So, not bad!

所以，還不賴！

The sun is pretty much screaming at us with energy, so we have to figure something out.

太陽用很多能量對我們尖叫著，所以我們必須想辦法解決。

Energy source efficiency is commonly measured using something called heat rate, which factors in the amount of fuel needed to generate power.

能源效率通常使用叫做熱耗率的東西來測量，決定了發電所需的燃料量。

Since non-renewables like coal, petroleum, nuclear and natural gas are using finite resources, this efficiency is pretty important.

由於非再生能源，像是煤炭、石油、核能和天然氣，這些資源都是有限的，因此效率非常重要。

Of those, natural gas is, by far, the least efficient, with petroleum, nuclear and coal all being pretty equal.

其中，到目前為止，天然氣的效率最低，石油、核能和煤炭的效率都差不多。

When it comes to renewables, there unfortunately isn't one measurement that allows us to compare their efficiencies since their power comes from different sources.

但是，談到可再生能源時，可惜的是，沒有任何測量方式可以幫我們比較它們的效率，因為它們的能量來自不同來源。

What about safety?

那安全的問題呢？

Each energy source has its own hazards.

每種能源都有自身的危險。

Non-renewable plants have big risks like oil rig explosions or mine collapses, but renewables have their own dangers too.

非再生能源的工廠有很大風險，如：石油平台爆炸或礦山崩塌，但可再生能源也有自身的危險。

Solar workers are exposed to carcinogens.

太陽能工人暴露於致癌物質中。

Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel are highly reactive and combustible.

生質燃料如：乙醇和生物柴油，具有很強的反應性和可燃性。

Geothermal workers inhale deadly particles.

地熱工人吸入致命的粒子。

And while wind turbines are subject to collapsing and natural events like lightning strikes and fires, it appears that wind is the safest.

雖然風力機會受到崩塌及自然災害如：雷擊和火災所影響，但風力發電似乎是最安全的。

Then, there's the importance of availability.

然後，重要的是可得性。

Natural gas, petroleum and coal will run out.

天然氣、石油和煤炭都會用完。

And there isn't always wind, sun or rain.

並不每次都有風、陽光或雨。

But, nuclear power industries are currently exploring whether extracting uranium from seawater could result in a virtually limitless supply of nuclear energy.

但是，核電工業目前在研究從海水中提取鈾，有沒有可能產生幾乎無限的核能供應。

There's also some promising tech on the horizon for the availability and longevity of renewables too.

對於可再生能源的可用性和長壽性來說，目前有些前景不錯的技術也即將問世。

Lithium-ion batteries.

鋰離子電池。

They've got a long lifespan, can hold crazy amounts of energy, and their cost is dropping.

它們的使用壽命很長，可以保持非常大量的能源，而且成本越來越便宜。

So pairing these with renewable energy generators across the world could make clean energy even more tempting.

因此，將這些與全球可再生能源發電機配對，讓清潔能源更具吸引力。

It seems to me that wind energy is our best option.

對我來說，風力發電似乎是最好的選擇。

We'll just need to learn to live with those ugly wind turbines, which is a small price to pay, for you know, humans living longer.

只是我們要學會與那些醜陋的風力機一起生活，這只是很小的代價，因為人類生活的時間更長。

Would you be on board for a wind-powered world? Do you think solar is the way to go?

你會支持用風力發電嗎？還是你覺得太陽能是可行的？

Let us know in the comment section below, or tell us, what should we talk about next?

在下方留言讓我知道，或者告訴我們下次要聊什麼？

Let's say we do have to get off this planet, how could we create our very own?

假設我們必須離開這個星球，那我們怎麼創造自己的星球呢？

Check out this video!

看看這部影片！

We'd want it to be in the habitable zone. Meaning the planet should have an orbit the right distance from it's star, to insure optimal temperatures and most importantly, liquid water.

我們希望是在可居住的區域。 意思就是，行星應該與它的恆星保持正確的距離，以確保最佳溫度，而且最重要的是液態水。

As always, my name is Blocko! This has been Life Noggin!

一如往常，我是 Blocko！這裡是 Life Noggin！

Don't forget to keep on thinking!

別忘了繼續思考！