Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon-containing substances of biological origin. They can be used in the production of energy. They comprise coal, petroleum natural gas, natural gas, oil shales, bitumens and the tar sands along with heavy oils. They contain carbon and are created through geologic processes. At the time of the Archean eon, both plants and animals began to create the energy needed to produce and store carbon dioxide. But, when fossil fuels were submerged in the earth’s crust and began to release carbon dioxide in an enticing way that they hindered carbon cycling from working effectively.
The carbon dioxide released through the burning of fossil fuels is a major contributor the global temperature. The carbon dioxide is stored in the atmosphere before dissolving into the oceans. The accumulation of CO2 in our atmosphere ultimately results in acidification of the oceans. Carbon project global has charted the growth in CO2 over the last 150 years. The combustion of fossil fuels produces sulfuric as well as nitric acid which affect the natural and built zones. For instance, monuments constructed from marble and limestone are particularly susceptible to the effect of acid rain.
The major cause for global climate change emissions fossil fuels have become the most important source of energy consumption around the world. Being one of the biggest problems facing humanity knowing the impact of these fuels on our climate is crucial for making educated decisions about the best way to produce energy in the near future. Knowing the impact of fossil fuels can help us make decisions regarding energy which are sustainable and will help us stay clear of the most devastating effects from global warming. How can we reduce the use of fossil fuels?
The government offers millions of dollars of subsidies to the manufacture of fossil-fuels. While the exact number may vary however, the amount of subsidy remains around the hundreds of millions each year. A greater transparency in the costs may allow us to have an accurate estimation of the actual costs associated with fossil fuels. According to the International Monetary Fund has estimated the cost of unpaid fossil fuels to be $5.3 trillion per year, which amounts to around 10 million dollars per minute.
Today oil resources aren’t so widespread as coal, yet they offer significant advantages. Oil fuels are dense in energy with about twice the energy amount of coal. They’re also liquid, making them ideal as fuel for combustion engines that use internal combustion. Their energy content is much higher than other energy sources. Apart from being a source of energy fossil fuels are also a major contributor to the advancement of technology. One of the major benefits to fossil fuels is they are quickly ramped up or down to meet the demands.
Coal was discovered around 300 million years back. In the past dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Plants that grew in swamps and bogs were partially decomposed and then changed into peat. When the climate changed, different materials accumulated over peat. In the end, heat and pressure transformed peat into coal. As a result, coal can only be accessed through digging. However, the burning of coal has led to massive health issues in many of the developing nations, including India in addition to China.