Our Energy Use and Associated Consequences

CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ENERGY USE

Consequences of our Energy Use

1) Relationship between Energy Use and Carbon Footprint

Energy use is generally related to carbon footprint given that carbon dioxide emissions account for the total anthropogenic emissions. This is more so the case given that as energy is consumed, carbon dioxide is also released. In essence, increased consumption of energy leads to increased emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Chontanawat, 2020).

2) Carbon footprint in terms of Anthropogenic Source of Carbon Dioxide Emitted to make Laptops

Despite the fact that laptops do not consume a lot of electricity, they still contribute towards carbon dioxide emissions – especially when we think in terms of their building and shipping. With regard to laptop building, Circular Computing (2021) estimates that manufacturing of laptop produces approximately 75 to 85 percent of the entire footprint. In particular, most of the said emissions are produced from the materials used in production of display, SSD, and the motherboard. When it comes to shipping, emissions associated with the same account for approximately 6-12% of the total carbon footprint of laptops (Circular Computing, 2021).

3) Environmental Consequences of our Fossil Fuel Use

Burning of fossil fuels has largely impacted the environment – especially in relation to air pollution, acid rain, and greenhouse effect. With regard to air pollution, Cohen (1990) found that the said air pollution is caused by sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide. Burning of fossil fuels releases sulfur in small amounts which reacts with oxygen to produce sulfur dioxide. On the other hand, as temperature increases in the atmosphere, nitrogen combines with oxygen to produce nitrogen oxide. Apart from nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, Cohen (1990) also suggests that air pollution is caused by unlimited combustion of carbon leading to unburnt carbon. The said unburnt carbon comes off in the form of small particulates that float in the air. After some time, the small particles in the air combine with nitrogen oxide forming ozone and other compounds such as PAN (Cohen, 1990). Air pollutants are associated with various health problems which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; empysema, bronchitis, asthma, colds, coughs, pneumonia, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses - all of which lead to increased mortality rates.

Like air pollution, acid rain is also caused by nitric oxide and sulfur dioxide which are produced when nitrogen and sulfur reacts with oxygen. According to Cohen (1990), sulfur dioxide happen to be the most common cause of acid rain in the atmosphere. The author further suggests that a chemical reactions may then occur leading to a reaction between sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which then dissolves in water and falls as acid rain. One of the effects of acid rain is that it alters the pH of the soil after it percolates into the ground. In addition, acid rain increases the acidity of water in lakes and rivers. Acidic water, as Cohen (1990) points out, happens to be unfit for forests and aquatic life.

Greenhouse effect is caused by carbon dioxide that is produced when fossil fuels are burnt. Carbon dioxide, being one of the greenhouse gases, leads to increased temperatures following a pileup of this particular gas into the atmosphere (Cohen, 1990). As the temperature increases, the rate at which electromagnetic radiation is released also increases, thus increasing greenhouse effect. Greenhouse effect negatively impacts agriculture - in essence, increased temperatures affects crops such as corn and soybeans which do not require very high temperatures. Apart from its effects on agriculture, greenhouse effect also affects livestock owing to heat stress. As a consequence, breeding rates among the said livestock may decrease. Cohen (1990) also suggest that greenhouse effect leads to reduced rainfall and increased evaporation rates owing to the rise in sea levels. Such effects lead to problems in water supply and shipping in towns and cities.

4) Emissions Associated with Burning of Fossil Fuels

The three greenhouse gases that are regulated in the U.S. for the burning of fossil fuels are nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide (EPA, 2022). Among the said gases, carbon dioxide happens to be the most non-toxic emission that results from the complete combustion of fossil fuel. On the other hand, nitrogen oxide happens to be the most hazardous emission from combustion of fossil fuels. This is more so the case given that nitrogen is the most abundant element in the atmosphere (EPA, 2022). Therefore, when nitrogen dioxide is released in the atmosphere, it adds up to the already existing nitrogen leading to formation of acid rain. In addition, nitrogen oxide also reacts with hydrocarbons forming the ozone. Both ozone and acid rain are harmful to both human beings and aquatic life (Cohen, 1990). However, it would be prudent to note that nitrogen dioxide is not included in the EPA’s list of toxic air pollutants.

5) Alternative Energy Sources

The impact of fossil fuel emission on the world economy can be reduced or eradicated when alternative sources of energy are used. The most promising alternative energy source would be nuclear power which is a non-fossil fuel. According to Cohen (1990), nuclear power is a non-emitting source of energy given that it does not release greenhouse gas. There are various advantages associated with the use of nuclear power. For instance, nuclear power does not release sulfur dioxide which is a major component of acid rain and air pollution. Second, a single nuclear energy plant can be used in place of the multiple facilities that are deployed for the utilization of oil in generation of electricity. As a result, the heavy dependence on oil for generation of electricity would reduce (Cohen, 1990). In addition, nuclear energy would increase the capacity for electricity generation and compensate for the growing need of electricity in various parts of the world. Despite its advantages, nuclear energy may not be acceptable or appropriate on all fronts. Essentially, development of nuclear plants happens to be far more expensive compared to fossil fuels generation facilities. In the U.S., nuclear plants are not widely used owing to the high cost associated with their construction. Among the few constructed nuclear plants in the U. S., nuclear energy is used in production of electricity which is used in sectors which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; factories, businesses and homes – with the utilization in this case being in place of coal (EPA, 2022).