Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuel Use Essay - 606 Words

Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuel Use One of the main issues involved with fossil fuels are the environmental impacts that occur from their use. These problems; such as acid rain, oil spills, climate change, global warming, etc., are not only occurring with fossil fuel usage, but are also increasing due to the increase in the use of fossil fuels. This essay will vaguely explain the area of environmental impacts from fossil fuel use, and will attempt to change, or further increase your understanding of the very serious environmental impacts that occur from fossil fuel use. One of the biggest environmental impacts which is steadily increasing in severity due to fossil fuel usage is global warming. Global warming is mainly caused due†¦show more content†¦Another environmental impact in which fossil fuel usage contributes to is air pollution; acid rain, smog, etc. Burning fossil fuels increase the amount of many chemicals in the atmosphere, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, which eventually lead to increased amounts of acid rain. Acid rain can destroy the leaves of plants, poison soil and waterways, and ultimately kill many animals and plants (Outdoor Air Pollution). On a more of a human impact level, air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels can eventually lead to things such as lung disease and cancer (Air Pollution). Another effect that takes place is smog formation. Smog is a problem in many city areas and contributes to low visibility and dirty skies. Along with all of these atmosphere and air pollution problems, there are also areas of pollution in which land or water is being polluted due to fossil fuel use. One of the biggest areas in which land or water pollution takes place is transportation of these fossil fuels. Oil spills are an example of devastating impacts in which the waterway in which the spill takes place gets polluted, the waterways into which the spill can travel to, as well as all the shores where the oil polluted water is traveling. On the topic of coal, coal mining can leave by a lot of pyrite, a sulfur compound, which can be washed away into streams and rivers in the form of an acid as water flows through the mine (Clean Energy). These land and water problemsShow MoreRelatedEssay about Energy and the Environment: Fossil Fuels511 Words   |  3 PagesEnvironment: Fossil Fuels Fossil Fuels are one of the most important things on this planet to the human race. Without fossil fuels we wouldnt have todays current means of transportation, we would have less heating for the general population, energy uses would be more expensive, and overall the economy and the world would not be able to sustain themselves. Even still, the fact that fossil fuels are on this planet will never change, but how we use them and what impacts their use has will alwaysRead MoreThe Sources Of Fossil Fuels1429 Words   |  6 Pagesdiscuss the three main fossil fuels which are oil, coal, and natural gas. This research shows how the fossil fuels are formed, where they could be found, and explain how they were formed over millions of years. This paper will show the numerous advantages of fossil fuels compared to the disadvantages and how they are hurting the Earth. Fossils fuels are critical to the function of everyday life. The world would be a different if fossil fuels and their uses we re not to of use. In theRead MoreHow Can The United States Lessen Its Dependence On Fossil Fuels?1302 Words   |  6 PagesHow can the United States lessen its dependence on fossil fuels? Joan Milton Western Governor’s University How can the United States lessen its dependence on fossil fuels? Introduction The U.S obtains more than 84% of its energy from fossil fuels including oil, coal and natural gas. This is because people rely on it to heat their homes, power industries, run vehicles, manufacturing, and provision of electricity. It is apparent that the country’s transportation industry highly depends onRead MoreAnalysis Of Renewables Or Bust And Its Effects On Our Health And Environment?1503 Words   |  7 Pageswhat are the impacts on our health and environment?† (Fischetti). The average amount of energy consumed per person has dramatically increased over the past several hundred years (Christensen, 482). The prevalence of fossil fuel use in our world is a primary cause of these hazy conditions as well as increased pollutants in the environment which has leads to increased illnesses in humans (Fischetti). The prevalent usage of these types of fuels are the leading cause of many environmental and economicalRead MoreFossil Fuels : The Source Of Energy1709 Words   |  7 Pagessociety fossil fuels are the primary source of energy for most of the industrialized world. Utilizing fossil fuels has been vital to the industrialization development. Throughout industrialization of many parts of the world, energy has been needed at a much higher density then before and fossil fuels have fulfilled that need. Coal, gas, and oil are the three major sources of fossil fuels in the world. Despite other means of energy, such as wind power, hydroelectric power and so on, fossil fuels are stillRead MoreFossil Fuels ( Oil, Coal, Natural Gas )1743 Words   |  7 Pages Fossil Fuels (Oil, Coal, Natural Gas) Debbie Burrell SCI2000 Gwynedd Mercy University Abstract Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy that were form billions of years ago. The three different types of fossil fuels in the world include: oil, coal and natural gas. Although each of the three types of fossil fuels are extracted differently they are all processed and used as the world’s primary sources of energy. Being the world’s primary sources of energy, fossil fuel experienceRead MoreViable Alternative Energy For Replace Fossil Fuels1724 Words   |  7 Pages Viable Alternative Energy to Replace Fossil Fuels Nauman Syed Zia University of Houston Nearly all of the United States production of energy comes from non-renewable sources, also known as fossil fuels. However, the problem with using fossil fuels to satisfy the United States ever-growing demand for power is that they are a limited resource and their production and usage cause a myriad of harmful environmental effects. There are other sources of energy available that do notRead MoreThe Drilling Of The Oil922 Words   |  4 PagesPetroleum is made into various products such as gasoline/ diesel fuel, home heating oil, fertilizers, and plastic products (Energy Quest 2012). 74 percent of our oil is used for transportation including, trucks, buses, cars, and planes (Energy Quest 2012). Drilling of the oil is a costly process and has severe effects to the environment. Drilling on land requires a lot of space, disturbing the natural animal habitats, while drilling at sea impacts surrounding marine life (ELI 2015). Petroleum is toxic andRead MoreIs Renewable Source Is The M ost Effective?957 Words   |  4 Pagesthe mass burning of fossil fuels. Whatever a person s stance on the topic is they both agree that mass use of fossil fuels are unsustainable. Research into renewable energy sources has been done at exponential rates every year. This research has led to the argument of which renewable source is the most effective. Two lead candidates for this spot is Wind and Hydropower. Each one of these sources has trade-offs when it comes to reliability, energy output, and environmental impact but both energy sourcesRead MoreAlternative Energy Sources Of Fossil Fuels1701 Words   |  7 Pages the world has run on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are critical to global energy infrastructure due to their inherent advantages and generate significant economic value as a result. However, the negative economic and environmental implications of fossil fuels demands a permanent transition towards alternative energy. The world will continue to investigate alternative ener gy sources and must commit to them to avoid long-term environmental degradation. Ultimately, fossil fuels are on the way out, but