The Effects Of Fossil Fuels On The Environment - 933 Words

Introduction The United States uses fossil fuels for 67.5% of its energy consumption. Fossil fuels have more negative impacts than positive ones. The only positive that comes from fossil fuels is that it can create energy. Most of the negative effects have to deal with the environment, like the most popular, burning coal for electricity. â€Å"Coal is used for about 43% of electricity generation in the U.S† (Coal and the Environment - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration, no date). Burning coal releases many different toxic and deadly emissions. Some of which include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and particulates. Sulfur dioxide is the cause of acid rain. Nitrogen oxides contribute to smog. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas which is causing global warming. The particles also contribute to smog and can cause lung disease. From the emissions created from created electricity, 77% of it was from coal al one. For the next 50 years, the main goal of the United States should be to reduce the amount of energy created from coal. The most efficient and clean way to replace coal is to use solar panels at as many households as possible. The Policy Using solar energy is not the most efficient way to create electricity and heat, but it is the cleanest and easiest to maintain. â€Å"Using solar energy does not produce air or water pollution and does not produce greenhouse gases† (Solar Energy and the Environment -Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Fossil Fuels On The Environment1734 Words   |  7 PagesWhat we can be scientifically certain of is that our continued use of fossil fuels is pushing us to a point of no return, warns President Obama, â€Å"we are condemning future generations to global catastrophe.† The point of no return metaphorically represents the place in ones journey that must be continued with no alternative routes or ability to make change. In consort with President Obama, many scientists believe the point of no return could occur if significant efforts aren’t made soon. AnthropogenicRead MoreFossil Fuels And Its Effects On The Environment1175 Words   |  5 PagesFossil fuels, in cluding coal, oil and natural gas, are currently the world s primary energy source. Fossil fuels have powered economic growth worldwide since the industrial revolution, but they are nonrenewable resources and can severely damage the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the burning of fossil fuels was responsible for 79 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2010. Although efficiency can help reduce emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels,Read MoreThe Effects Of Fossil Fuels On The Environment1252 Words   |  6 PagesAll over the world, people have been stuck on using fossil fuels. This addiction has been ongoing for the past century as the primary source of energy. Global usage of fossil fuels which include oil, coal, and natural gas, is now producing mass amounts of greenhouse emissions within our atmosphere. Such a series of events have cascaded into changes that are currently effecting the earth on multiple levels. Several of these effec ts are, but are not limited to: earth’s sea levels rising every yearRead MoreThe Effects Of Fossil Fuels On The Environment2213 Words   |  9 PagesFossil fuels are a major source of energy in America and throughout the world. The three major fossil fuels are oil, natural gas, and coal. While these three fossil fuels account for most of the energy used in most countries and they are able to provide energy for places around the world at a cheap price, they also account for things like pollution and the climate changes. Each of the fossil fuels has a long process to be prepared for consumer use that causes many environmental problems. The majorRead MoreFossil Fuels And Its Effects On The Environment2338 Words   |  10 PagesFossil fuels are finite resources that come from the earth, including sources such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal. All are used to generate electricity and power advanced industrial nations, but there is a lurking danger just under the skin of fossi l fuel usage. In our homeland, the United States of America, it is obvious that all of us, in one form or another, use fossil fuels. Almost all of our kids, and their kids as well, will grow up in America and, like the current generation, use fossilRead MoreThe Effects Of Fossil Fuel Energy On The Environment And The Pocket987 Words   |  4 Pagesclimate changes and the effect of fossil fuel energy for not only being environmentally destructive, but also causing Global warming (the warming that occurs as a result of increase emissions of greenhouse gases) has become a very big issue worldwide. The fossil fuels (Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas) which is the main sources of the world’s energy sources, is also one of the main causes of the climate change. In addition with some human activities (e.g. through burning fossil fuels), they have contributedRead MoreFossil Fuels And Its Effects On The Environment And Climate856 Words   |  4 Pagesbeen the most successful species by far . We mold our environment to our benefit, and in doing so we discovered the potential that lay within our soil. Fossil fuels have provided us with easily accessible energy that can be mass produced. The overconsumption of these fuels has proved catastrophic to the environment and climate. We must use our ingenuity to create energy alternatives that are cleaner and renewable. Biofuels are plant based fuels that with a bit of more focus and refinement, can becomeRead MoreFossil Fuels And Their Impact On The Environment862 Words   |  4 PagesFossil Fuels and Their Impact on the Environment The amount of fossil fuels being deposited into the air should be controlled. Not only do fossil fuels pose a threat to the environment, but also to human health. The problem is not only noticeable in the depletion of human health, but also in the air, water, and land. Emissions are a concerning contribution to other problems such as global warming and greenhouse gases as well. One of the major factors of fossil fuels are vehicles. VehiclesRead MoreCompanies And Climate Change Case Study944 Words   |  4 Pageschange and its far-reaching business impacts.† Still using fossil fuels and releasing carbon dioxide in large amounts will have large effects on the Earth, if companies aren’t careful. The idea of global warming has been around in the United States for many years. In fact, climate change has had effects on people and the environment for a while, and it may continue. The companies use fossil fuels for energy to receive the positive business effects that they give. However, companies are already startingRead MoreSolar Energy : Solar Panels999 Words   |  4 Pageschanges and the effect of fossil fuel energy for not only being environmentally destructive but also causing Global warming (the warming that occurs as a result of increase emissions of greenhouse gases) has become a very big issue worldwide. The fossil fuels (Oil, Coal, and N atural Gas) which is the main sources of the world’s energy sources have negative natural emissions coupled with the human activities that change the atmosphere’s composition (e.g. through burning fossil fuels) have contributed