Fossils fuels are important sources of energy that power our homes, cars, and cities around the world. They are also responsible for a large part of carbon emissions–something many climate change scientists believe is disrupting our global climate in irreversible ways. As a result, there is significant public pressure to move away from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
What are Fossil Fuels?
Fossil fuels are the residues of plant and animal life that have been burned in an engine to produce energy. Coal, oil, and natural gas are all fossil-fuel derived. Fossil fuels are an important part of contemporary society because they provide us with a way to generate energy quickly and cheaply. They’re also important because they have the potential to mitigate climate change.
There are a few different types of fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas. Coal is the most abundant type of fossil fuel, accounting for about 36% of global reserves. Oil and natural gas are more difficult to extract but account for about 53% and 20% of global reserves, respectively. The remaining reserves are spread among other types of fossil fuels such as tar sands and shale gas.
One big downside to using fossil fuels is that they release carbon dioxide (CO2). When coal is burned, it produces combustion products including CO2, water vapor, and sulphur dioxide. These combustion products interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to heat up. Over time this increase in temperature has led to an increase in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere like CO2.
How do they contribute to climate change?
Fossil fuels are a significant contributor to climate change. Their combustion produces greenhouse gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming. Coal, oil, and natural gas are especially potent pollutants because they create methane, which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year span.
Consequences of fossil fuels and their alternatives.
Most of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. They release greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming. Alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind and hydrocarbon-based ethanol present a some of their own environmental concerns.
Summary
Fossil fuels are the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been compressed over millions of years into oil, gas, and coal. They provide energy to our everyday lives, enabling us to heat our homes, run our cars, and produce industrial products. However, fossil fuels have a downside. If we want to ensure that humanity survives and thrives in a changing environment, we need to find alternative sources of energy.