Fossil fuels cause climate change

Fossil fuels are responsible for many human deaths every year. Burning fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases that have been proven to be extremely hazardous to humans. The twentieth century has been called the hydrocarbon century due to the abundance of fossil fuels that were burned. Fossil fuels were formed over millions of years by the decomposing remains of plants and animals under immense heat and pressure. This process resulted in energy-rich fuels—coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which together have generated most of the energy consumed globally for over a century. This dirty generation paved the way for continued advancement and new inventions in renewable energy.

Fossil fuels losing ground to solar on cost

Until recently, fossil fuels were the most economically available source of power for both personal and commercial uses. Costs of solar energy have dropped making it cheaper in some locations than fossil fuels. Petroleum powers our cars while natural gas and coal heat and electrify our homes. Mass transportation is also largely propelled by fossil fuels. In 2005, more than 75 percent of total world energy consumption used fossil fuels. Petroleum led with over 43.4 percent of the world’s total energy consumption, followed by natural gas (15.6 percent) and coal (8.3 percent). North America is the largest consumer of fossil fuels, utilizing nearly a fourth of the world’s resources.

While some believe fossil fuels are harmless, climate science has made it abundantly clear that negative health impacts are caused by dirty fuels.  However, many believe that the world is using fossil fuels at an alarming rate that is not sustainable. Some experts believe that the world has already hit its peak for oil extraction and production and that it is only a matter of time before natural gas and coal follow suit. These concerns about oil supply have led to an increasing focus on, and exploration of, alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind power generation. To release their stored energy, fossil fuels are burned. It is during this combustion process that a variety of emissions, including ash, are released into the atmosphere. Primary releases are sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon, which are harmful to the environment. They can combine with water vapor in the air to form acidic compounds that create acid rain, and burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that scientists believe is a key factor in global warming

Environmental risks of fossil fuels

There are also environmental risks associated with extracting, transporting, and utilizing fossil fuels. Mining for coal and drilling for oil are especially hazardous because the digging of massive mines and wells can change the surrounding landscapes and bring massive amounts of salt water to the surface which can damage nearby ecosystems without proper treatment and sequestration. Natural gas extraction is somewhat safer, but can also be hazardous. While there are regulations in place that attempts to minimize the risks, it is impossible to eliminate them completely. However, regulation is not sufficient; there must be continued research in developing new technologies for both fossil fuel and renewable energy, in addition to increasing conservation measures.

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