Motivations

The first question that has to be considered in analyzing the alternative energy situations of the United States, Asia, and Europe is...

 "What are the motivations of nations to develop alternative energy?" 

I've come to realize that the United States and China have somewhat different motivations to develop alternative energy. While both agree that finding affordable, clean, and safe methods are vital to countering a growing energy crisis, the United States expresses much concern over oil consumption, while China sees global warming as a primary issue. 

People in the United States are becoming more and more aware that dependency on foreign oil is dangerous to the stability of our economy. We are at the mercy of foreign leaders and their regulations of oil prices. 

While China is experiencing an economic boom and a growing consumption of oil, the Chinese see their growing outputs of carbon dioxide threatening to the environment. In this case, China's economic success has created an energy problem because a new source of energy is needed to prevent astounding amounts of carbon dioxide emissions.