The Dangers of Fossil Fuel Use :: Fossil Fuels Essays

The Dangers of Fossil Fuel UseMerriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines the depot fogey fuel as a fuel, as blacken, petroleum, or subjective gas, that is formed in the earth from plant or animal remains. The major fogey fuels include coal, petroleum, and natural gases. Here in the United States, and on the whole over the world, fossil fuel functions as an extremely beneficial resource. We phthisis gas to fuel our cars and depend on electricity rised from coal and oil to heat and cool our homes. But, these positive aspects do not come without drawbacks. environmental health, climate change, acid rain, and air pollution are among the top problems with fossil fuel production and consumption.(http//environment.about.com/library/weekly/aa050700.htm)Fossil fuel give creates severe impact on the environment in all stages of exercising recovery, transportation, preparation/refining, storage, and end use. Recovery, the first stage is basically the process of coal mining. Thi s includes the destruction of topsoil, and the risk of gushers or accidents. Also, recovery leads to discolored local creeks and rivers be progress to of the acidic run-off of these waters (Lecture 3/11/02).Next, these resources must be transported all over the world, where they pass on go into the preparation and refining stage. During this stage, there is a risk that dare or sludge will guide from coal cleaning part (Lecture 3/11/02). Also, air and water pollution may result from the process of petroleum refining, which involves the change of the chemical composition of petroleum to produce desirable chemicals and fuels. However, that means that the undesirable results are released to pollute the atmosphere. (Lecture 2/22/02) After being properly refined, the resources are stored. This stage may cause environmental problems such as gasoline leaks in underground tanks at gas stations. Finally, end use results in the release of pollutants from combustion. These pollutant s include unburnt hydrocarbons, particulate matter, such as ash or soot, and sulfur and nitrogen oxides (Lecture 3/11/02). The combination of these pollutants often results in smog, a problem roughly pressing in California (http//www.sparetheair.org/).Major challenges exist concerning environmental problems with fossil fuel use. One challenge is to reduce fossil fuel use, in general, while also accommodating the increasing population and industrialization (Lecture 3/18/02). A second challenge is to remember to put gracious life before the need for industrialization. The National Resource Defense Council states that both year, some 64,000 people may die prematurely from cardiopulmonary causes colligate to particulate air pollution.