The exploration and development of safe alternatives to fossil fuels should be the most important global priority today. To what extent do you agree and disagree?

The

use

of fossil

fuels

as a source of

energy

has been increasing since the industrial revolution began. There is a view that the most important step we can take today is to prioritise research and development into other forms of

energy

which are safe. In my view, I completely agree that we need to halt

extraction

Correct article usage

the extraction

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of fossil

fuels

while

also

investing more heavily in greener

energy

sources. The first step in curbing the damage caused by fossil fuel

use

must be to phase out extraction and

use

.

That is

, mining, fracking, deep sea drilling and other methods need to be stopped in order to end the damage

such

activities cause to ecosystems and the atmosphere. Indeed, ending oil drilling alone would greatly reduce the risk of environmental disasters

such

as the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico which had a catastrophic and far-reaching impact on marine life, air and water quality. The burning of coal and

use

Correct article usage

the use

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of petrol, oil and gas in industry and transport

also

contributes

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contribute

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to the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change and poor air quality globally. Clearly, steps need to be taken to eliminate these sources of

energy

and promote alternatives. To replace fossil

fuels

, greener

energy

sources must be

further

developed. Currently,

although

solar, wind and

hydro power

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hydropower

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systems are available, they are not yet able to provide the vast quantities required to keep nations supplied with their

energy

requirements. Solar panels,

for instance

, are still prohibitively expensive for many households and businesses to install. Wind power too has limitations in terms of

energy

production and reliability; it only works when the wind blows. Unless these alternatives are improved

,

Remove the comma

apply

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and made more affordable, it will simply not be possible to end fossil fuel

use

. Investment, not only by governments

,

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apply

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but

also

by organisations and individuals, is crucial to bridge

this

gap. In conclusion, improving ways of producing

energy

other than by the

use

of fossil

fuels

is of paramount importance today. Given that it is currently not possible to rely fully on green

energy

, greater investment is urgently needed.