The panel also found that industrial activities over the past 150 years have caused atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to increase to 400 parts per million from 150 parts per million. Bituminous coal has 45% to 86% carbon content. Subsequently, upon discovery of oil in Pennsylvania in 1859 and the Spindletop discovery in Texas in 1901, there was a shift in dynamics, and oil became a prominent fossil fuel (not indicating that others are not still prominently used today). It can lead to health disorders. (2019). This is because water used for fracturing is too contaminated to return to its source, and as such, it is typically disposed of deep underground, where it is removed from the freshwater cycle. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions to the air can react with water vapor in the... 3. In fact, if things continue the way they do at present, the next generation could see the global climate becoming inhospitable for human life. The major types of renewable energy include: Solar. These illnesses include heat stroke, kidney and cardiovascular diseases, and heat exhaustion. You may remember that there were times in the distant past when the Earth’s climate was much colder than it is today. The US is the largest petroleum-consuming country as of 2016, accounting for 20% of total world oil consumption, followed by China at 13 percent. Fossil fuels continue to be the world’s primary energy source. Why drill anymore? Ground-level ozone creates smog, which can worsen the condition of people suffering from pulmonary or cardiac diseases. While there are numerous advantages of using fossil fuels to include: their high energy concentration, low cost and ease of accessibility; they can also be harmful to the environment. This is because water used for fracturing is too contaminated to return to its source, and as such, it is typically disposed of deep underground, where it is removed from the freshwater cycle. In addition, it provides a pathway for rich countries to help poorer ones in their efforts to mitigate climate change. This “greenhouse effect” is caused by human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels. The process releases toxic chemicals into the air such as benzene, xylene and toluene, as well as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. At current rates of production, these reserves would last just 50.2 years. Please help me find refereence as my numbers need validation. We need to move away from fossil fuels to more renewable and sustainable energy sources. According to studies, the global temperature has increased by one degree F over the past 100 years. For instance, strip mining involves removing rocks and topsoil, and trees from seams to extract the coal underneath. Fossil fuels produce large quantities of carbon dioxide when burned. The Department of Petroleum Resources estimated 1.89 million barrels of petroleum were spilled into the Niger Delta between 1976 and 1996 out of a total of 2.4 million barrels spilled in 4,835 incidents (The Daily Independent, Lagos, 2010). These events will cost billions of dollars in losses. “Fracking 101” Fracking 101, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/fracking-101#whatis, EKT Interactive. He had earlier stated that the Agreement put the American economy at a permanent disadvantage. Nunez, C. (2019). For instance, drilling activities fundamentally affect the aquatic ecosystem, and such activities only help spread remains of oil spills. Take for instance plastics, which are made from fossil fuels and are biodegradable. The National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/energy/reference/fossil-fuels/, Ocean Conservancy. Solar energy has become a popular alternative for many households. In addition, since mercury is used in some mining operations, there is the possibility of mercury contamination of nearby water sources. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide thus contribute to causing a global warming effect that scientists are able to quantify. This problem can be addressed, in part, by placing the wind turbines in remote areas that receive more wind and have fewer obstacles that can block its force. A continuous rise in temperature levels will only serve to facilitate climate change, resulting in such effects as droughts and heatwaves, a rise in sea levels, desertification, forest fires, storms, and hurricanes, with a further effect on land, water, and ecosystems. The, showed that globally averaged concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO. ) reached 407.8 parts per million (ppm)  in 2018, up from 405.5 ppm in 2017 (World Metrological Organization, 2019). They also claim that it is impossible to establish a definitive connection between extreme weather events and climate change. In addition, clean energy is mostly used to generate electricity. It is extracted by drilling wells on formations bearing natural gas. Acid rain. This article explains the effects of fossil fuels on the environment. This is because GHGs undergo a process known as the greenhouse effect. Unfortunately, despite the overwhelming evidence that climate change is caused by human activity, there are still many critics who deny that global warming is a reality. (2019). It is also important to note that these sources provide about 80% of energy needs. It is mainly used in the metals industry. Increased flooding of coastal areas. But the main reason why many people still deny climate change is that it would require breaking our dependence on fossil fuels. So if there is more GHG emission, there will be more gases that capture heat from the sun, raising the average temperature of the earth. The largest consumer of petroleum products in the transportation sector, followed by the industrial sector, which uses it as a raw material to produce various products. Mercury is a highly toxic chemical, and exposure to even small amounts may result in serious health effects. But this ongoing dependence carries with it serious environmental effects. “World Energy Outlook Special Report”  World Energy. Major examples of fossil fuels are coal, crude oil, and natural gas, all considered as such because they were formed from the fossilized, buried remains of plants and animals. “The Effects of Climate Change”. This causes the destruction of landscapes, as well as wildlife habitats. While underground coal mining is seen to have fewer negative effects, the land above the mine can collapse. Biomass power plants share some similarities with fossil fuel power plants: … When you are putting gas in your car, turning on the heat in your home or watching TV, you are consuming fossil fuels. (2017). The gaming industry is one of the biggest in the world. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The metals industry uses coal to create coal coke, which is burned to generate the high temperatures needed to make steel. With the industrial revolution came an increased dependence on coal. This is why the phenomenon is also referred to as “global warming.” Although this increase may seem slight, it has serious effects on the environment, and may eventually render the earth uninhabitable for human life. This pollution may occur in several ways. Additionally, fossil fuels  affect marine wildlife and the ecosystem by contaminating the water, ultimately affecting the people and animals dependent on the marine ecosystem. Fossil fuels, maybe more ostensibly, affect the atmosphere the most, given the nature of the chemicals which they are made of. The area has to not only receive lots of sunlight but also be free of obstructions that could block it. There are also solar power plants that produce enough energy to power thousands of households. You are probably familiar with ‘weather,’ which refers to short-term changes in atmospheric conditions. Hydropower plants may also be built next to rivers, and generate electricity by capturing the kinetic energy of the running water. Today, fossil fuels are currently the world’s primary energy source, and according to a report from the World Energy Outlook (WEO),  will continue to remain the world’s leading source of power. This ‘biological annihilation’ not only threatens wildlife but human civilization as well. As with solar, however, the wind is not consistent. The impact of fossil fuels on the environment cannot be understated, as highlighted in the above. Oil. However, the main limitation of solar energy is that the amount of sunlight reaching earth is not consistent.

effects of fossil fuels on the environment

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effects of fossil fuels on the environment 2020