Fossil Fuels & Their Impact on the Environment
Impact of Fossil Fuels on Environment

Fossil fuels are formed by anaerobic decomposition of organisms over a period of millions of years. When burnt, they produce significant amounts of energy per unit weight and cannot be reused to supply energy. They are thus nonrenewable resources. The applications of fossil fuels range from use in motor vehicles, trains and industries to household consumption in stoves and lamps. Their huge popularity means that any hindrance in their use or harmful effects caused by them is bound to affect the masses significantly.

Traditionally, developing nations had a minute share in the world's fossil fuel resources, however with an increase in industrialization and urbanization the need for fossil fuels as an energy source becomes essential. India serves as an ideal example. To cater to the increased demand of oil and gas from industries the government is increasing its import…...

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Bibliography

Blackburne, A (2012 May 2). Why our quality of life is sacrificed by the continued use of fossil fuels. retrieved June 05, 2012, from Blue and green tommorow Web Site:  http://blueandgreentomorrow.com/features/why-our-quality-of-life-is-sacrificed-by-the-continued-use-of-fossil-fuels/ 

De Montalember, M.R & Clement, J (1983). fuel wood supplies in the developing countries. Rome: FAO Forestry Paper.

Ford, L (2012 May 31st). Fossil fuel subsidies must end, says Indian microfinance firm. retrieved June 05, 2012, from guardian Web Site:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2012/may/31/fossil-fuel-subsidies-india-microfinanc 

Garbini, G. (1966). The ancient world. New York: McGraw-Hill.

By studying this history, one can quickly understand fossil fuels are in such short supply. Although they have been around for millions of years, they have been in use for thousands.
Fossil Fuels' Uses

While it is common knowledge that fossil fuels are used as energy sources and in a variety of material productions, the degree to which fossil fuels are used on a daily basis is monumental. Both oil and natural gas are used widely as agents to heat homes and businesses worldwide. efined oil can be turned into gasoline and diesel, the fuels that power automobiles and are responsible for the functioning of the transportation industry. Furthermore, fuels for larger commercial vehicles -- like jet fuel -- are also produced from refined oil. The cessation of fossil fuel refining, therefore, would be a blow of extreme proportions to the entire world. Economies would be devastated and individual lives adversely…...

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References

Brief History of Coal Use. (2008). Retrieved August 18, 2008, from the United States

Department of Energy Web Site:  http://fossil.energy.gov/education/energylessons/coal/coal_history.html 

About OEE. (n.d.). Retrieved August 18, 2008, from the Government of Canada Web

Site:  http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/about-us.cfm?attr=16

Ending The Nation's Dependence on Fossil Fuels

There are many options available for reducing the nation's dependence on fossil fuels. From the use of biofuel subsidies to foster research & development (&D) of new fuel forms and technologies to use them (Ngo, 2008) to more effective energy policies that use natural gas, the U.S.' greatest natural resource (Bang, 2010), options abound. What is needed is a concerted, focused energy policy that concentrates on national security while lessening the impact of these fuels on the environment (Migone, 2007). Only by taking this course of action, can the U.S. And other westernized nation so dependent on fossil fuels break their dependence on them. In addition to all these approaches, there needs to be much more aggressive &D and tax credits given to companies to create clean-burning fuel technologies at costs that are affordable. The development of entirely new approaches to managing existing energy…...

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References

Bang, G.. (2010). Energy security and climate change concerns: Triggers for energy policy change in the United States? Energy Policy, 38(4), 1645.

Johan Jansson, Agneta Marell, & Annika Nordlund. (2010). Green consumer behavior: determinants of curtailment and eco-innovation adoption. The Journal of Consumer Marketing, 27(4), 358-370.

Jawadi, F., Arouri, M., & Bellalah, M.. (2010). Nonlinear Linkages between Oil and Stock Markets in Developed and Emerging Countries. International Journal of Business, 15(1), 19-31.

Bryan K. Mignone. (2007). The national security dividend of global carbon mitigation. Energy Policy, 35(11), 5403.

The currently used batteries in electric cars are usually the lead-acid type, which are heavy and bulky. A lead-acid battery pack in a typical electric car weighs about 1000 pounds or more; it also occupies a large space as about 50 batteries each of size 6" x 8" x 6" are required for a single car (Brain, 2006). They are also expensive as a typical lead-acid battery pack for an electric car costs about $2,000. Moreover, batteries get discharged quickly and give only about a 50-mile range to a car, after which the battery-pack has to be re-charged. The re-charging process is also time-consuming and it takes between 4 to 10 hours for full charge, depending on the battery technology and the charger (Ibid). Such batteries also have a relatively short life and have to be replaced in about three to four years.
ecent development in battery technology has now…...

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References

Brian, M. (2006). "How Electric Cars Work." How Stuff Works. Retrieved on October 4, 2006 at  http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car1.htm 

Maugeri, L. (2006). "That Falling Feeling." Newsweek International. October 9, 2006 Issue. Retrieved on October 4, 2006 at  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15081350/site/newsweek/ 

The limited oil-refining capacity is the result of lack of investment attributable to decades of depressed oil prices in the 1980s and 1990s when oil prices fell below $10 / barrel.

Vehicles

These continued high fossil fuel prices has made development and production of alternative fuels, like biofuels, a cost-effective alternative.
Another economic factor that has resulted in biofuel being a popular choice of alternative fuels, is the infrastructure it utilizes. Unlike other possible alternative fuels, like hydrogen, biofuel can, for the most part, use the existing distribution and retailing infrastructure already in place for traditional petroleum fuels (Mol, 2007). it's not surprising that biofuel use has grown so quickly, given this economic head start, in addition to the other economic benefits for farmers and rural communities.

Social Benefits and Concerns of Using Alternative Fuel Sources:

In America, the transportation sector, in particular, is heavily dependent on fossil fuel. This reliance raises national security concerns, as nearly 60% of the crude oil used in America is imported (Archer, Self, Guha, and Engelken, 2008). This dependence on oil from other nations has resulted in political…...

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References

Archer, a., Self, J., Guha, G., Engelken, R. (2008 Jan). Cost and carbon savings from innovative conversion of agricultural residues. Energy Sources Part B: Economics, Planning & Policy, 3(1), 103-108.

Collis, B. (1999 Jun). Finding the energy to come clean. Ecos, 99, 24.

Demirbas, a. (2008 Oct). Present and future transportation fuels. Energy Sources Part a: Recovery, Itilization & Environmental Effects, 30(6), 1473-1483.

Hahn, R. (1995 Fall). Choosing among fuels and technologies for cleaning up the air. Journal of Policy Analysis & Management, 14(4), 532-554.

Fossil fuels comprise coal, natural gas, and oil, which are formed over time from the remains of living organisms. Most of the world’s energy needs are supplied from fossil fuels but fossil fuels come at a price. Fossil fuels are the main source of global warming emissions in the world. Shindell and Smith (2019) posits "The combustion of fossil fuels produces emissions of the long-lived greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and short-lived pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, that contribute to the formation of atmospheric aerosols." Not only do fossil fuels contribute towards global warming they also cause health problems, release toxins such as mercury, and destroy our wild places. The overall impact of fossil fuels is far greater when compared to any other source of energy. The world has relied solely on fossil fuels for a pretty long time and this has resulted in people believing there is no alternative. However, with…...

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References

Burger, M., & Wentz, J. (2018). Holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their contribution to climate change: Where does the law stand? Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 74(6), 397-403.

McKibben, B. (April 2020). Putting the money squeeze on fossil fuels. Fortune. Retrieved from  

Perera, F. (2018). Pollution from fossil-fuel combustion is the leading environmental threat to global pediatric health and equity: solutions exist. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(1), 16.

Shindell, D., & Smith, C. J. (2019). Climate and air-quality benefits of a realistic phase-out of fossil fuels. Nature, 573(7774), 408-411.

https://fortune.com/longform/wall-street-fossil-fuels-divest-climate-change/ 

Capturing and Storing Energy: From Fossil Fuels to enewable esources
One of the most interesting challenges in energy production is not how to find energy sources, which are abundant, but how to capture and store the energy that is available. For years, energy capture and storage has focused on the availability of fossil fuels and how those resources could be translated into usable energy sources. However, the demand for energy is so incredible and the known fossil fuel energy reserves sufficiently limited that the United States must explore alternative energy sources. Moreover, the United States is not the only country that is hampered, politically, economically, and socially by its energy dependence; instead many countries, especially those that lack relative wealth or access to their own fossil fuel deposits are in even more vulnerable positions. Fortunately, there are viable alternatives to fossil fuels that countries can explore. Hydropower, wind power, solar power,…...

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References

CPS Energy. (2014). How is electricity made from natural gas? Retrieved February 17, 2014

from:  http://www.cpsenergy.com/services/natural_gas/natgas_generation.asp 

Duke Energy. (2014). How do coal-fired plants work? Retrieved February 17, 2014 from  http://www.duke-energy.com/about-energy/generating-electricity/coal-fired-how.asp 

Institute for Energy Research. (2014). Fossil fuels. Retrieved February 17, 2014 from  http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/energy-overview/fossil-fuels/

Business
Nuclear power, under current conditions, is characterized by much lower regular emissions compared to energy from fossil fuel burning. But, it poses its own unique hazards, of which the most notable is risk of industrial accidents (e.g. Chernobyl) that have acute, long-term repercussions over huge areas. There are also security risks presented by vast inventories of materials that have the potential of being utilized as nuclear weapons; fossil fuels pose no risk of this sort. Evidently, both fossil fuels and nuclear energy aren't, at present, favorable for sound security and environmental policy. Furthermore, neither renewables nor breeder reactors (the two alternatives for unlimited supply of energy) are cost-efficient at existing fuel rates for immediately becoming the base of worldwide supply of energy. What, then, are the alternatives available for an ecological, safe, and sustainable future energy supply? If one can reduce fossil fuel consumption and burn biomass renewably for lowering…...

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References

CCSA. (2015, Novemeber 3). What is CCS? Retrieved from Carbon Capture & Storage Association:  http://www.ccsassociation.org/what-is-ccs/ 

Cochran, T. B., Paine, C. E., Fettus, G., Norris, R. S., & McKinzie, M. G. (2005, october ). Position Paper: Commercial Nuclear Power. Retrieved from Natural Resources Defense Council:  https://www.nrdc.org/nuclear/power/power.pdf 

EPA. (2015, November 3). Overview of Greenhouse Gases. Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agencyq:  http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html 

Friends of Earth. (n.d.). Dangers of nuclear reactors. Friends of Earth.

Energy of the Future
There is no doubt that petroleum and coal are the dominant energy sources of today. However, there is also no doubt that those two energy sources really need to fall by the wayside given how they pollute the earth and how they are ostensibly affecting the entire global climate in the form of greenhouse gases and the like. However, actively and completely replacing those two energy sources (and this ignores that petroleum is used for many other things besides energy) is easier said than done and no single energy source has shown itself to be a replacement for coal or petroleum, at least not yet. However, that day will and must come as those energy sources are finite and polluting of our environment. hile it is important to shift away from petroleum and coal, it must be done in a way that is organic and does not…...

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Works Cited

BIR. "Solving The Chicken And The Egg Problem: Increasing Natural Gas Demand And Building Pipeline -- News & Media." Bipc.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.

Gordon, Kate. "Why Renewable Energy Still Needs Subsidies." WSJ. N.p., 2016. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.

Grunwald, Michael. "Obama To Propose $10-A-Barrel Oil Tax." The Agenda. N.p., 2016. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.

Stephens, Joe, and Carol Leonnig. "Solyndra Scandal -- Full Coverage Of Failed Solar Startup - The Washington Post." Washingtonpost.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.

Compare and Contrast ArticlesThe United States has long been a leading nation in energy consumption, with demand only increasing as the years go on. As such, energy policy is a hotly contested topic, with there being a wide range of opinions on the best way to move forward. This paper will be comparing and contrasting two articles that take opposing views on energy policy in the United States. The first article, titled \\\"The Reason Renewables Can\\\'t Power Modern Civilization Is Because They ere Never Meant To\\\", was written by Michael Shellenberger and by Forbes in 2019. In it, the author makes the case that renewable energy is expensive, unreliable, and often requires subsidies from taxpayersand, ultimately, that renewables were never meant to provide all the energy for an industrialized nation like the US. In the second article, titled Should e Burn More Fossil Fuels, Not Less? by Suhaas Bhat and…...

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Works CitedBhat, Suhaas and Connor Chung. Should We Burn More Fossil Fuels, Not Less? Foreign Policy, 2022.   Michael. The Reason Renewables Can\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t Power Modern Civilization Is Because They Were Never Meant To. Forbes, 2019.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2019/05/06/the-reason-renewables-cant-power-modern-civilization-is-because-they-were-never-meant-to/?sh=32296696ea2bhttps://foreignpolicy.com/2022/05/28/fossil-fuels-climate-change-energy-epstein-review/ Shellenberger,

Economics of Energy and Fossil Fuels 1. A scratch-off card has no actual revenue collection mechanism that I can think of . Using them to tell somebody how much they have to pay also makes little sense. Both company and client would prefer to have certainty over the monthly billing.
2. Poland and Czech Republic have expressed concerns about Germany's decision to power down its nuclear plants. They had initially felt upbeat about the idea of selling more power to Germany as that country becomes a net importer. However, these concerns were matched by concerns that Germans would be willing (and able) to pay more for Czech and Polish power than the locals would be. This, combined with increased demand from Germany, would create a situation where local prices for energy would rise as locals would be forced to compete for their own domestic power supply (Buchan, 2012).
3. One should presume that…...

Essay Topic Examples
The Impact of Renewable Energy Adoption on ublic Health Outcomes
This essay would explore how transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power has direct and indirect benefits for public health. It would examine reductions in air pollution, decreased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and broader societal health gains associated with a lower carbon economy. Case studies highlighting regions that have successfully transitioned could be included to show real-world examples of health improvements.

Urban lanning Strategies for Healthier ost-Fossil Fuel Societies
The focus here would be on how urban planning and infrastructure development can promote public health in a post-fossil fuel era. Topics could include the design of walkable cities, the expansion of green spaces to improve air quality and reduce heat islands, and the integration of active transportation options such…...

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Primary Sources

World Health Organization. \"Health in the green economy: health co-benefits of climate change mitigation - Transport sector.\" WHO, 2011. Web.  

Maizlish, Neil, et al. \"Health Co-Benefits and Transportation-Related Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area.\" American Journal of Public Health, vol. 103, no. 4, 2013, pp. 703-709.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673517/ 

Markandya, Anil, et al. \"Public Health Benefits of Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse-Gas Emissions: Low-Carbon Electricity Generation.\" The Lancet, vol. 374, no. 9706, 2009, pp. 2006-2015. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014067360961673X

Haines, Andy, et al. \"Public health benefits of strategies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions: overview and implications for policymakers.\" The Lancet, vol. 374, no. 9707, 2009, pp. 2104-2114. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61759-1/fulltext

The White House. \"The Long-Term Strategy of the United States: Pathways to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050.\" Executive Office of the President, 2021. Web. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/U.S.-Long-Term-Strategy.pdf

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/70913/9789241502917_eng.pdf 

In the drive to discover new fuels and cheaper alternatives to driving the fact of the matter is that roads will still have to be maintained, and if the consumer is purchasing less fuel by driving fuel efficient cars, then other taxes will have to be raised or implemented to pay for the roads.

A recent study concluded that "more efficient cars and trucks still take up space on the highways and wear them out. Growth will require more highway capacity. Since we finance transportation primarily through dedicated taxes, these need to be ample enough to support these needs" (Petersen, 2007, p. 66). The taxes seen in America are not as high as the ones imposed on the European consumer.

One study showed that "European fuel costs are double those in the U.S. " (Winter, 2007, p. 5). The higher fuel costs there provides the European consumer with incentives not necessarily found…...

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References

Hassett, K.A.; Metcalf, G.E.; (2008) the why's and how's of energy taxes, Issues in Science and Technology, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 45-50

Petersen, J.E.; Fueling a Tax, Governing, Vol. 20, No. 6, p. 66

Winter, D.; (2007) the big lie, Ward's Auto World, Vol. 43, No. 7, p. 5

Different Fuel Cell Technologies

U.S Department of Energy (2010) provides the description of different fuel cell technologies. The fuel cell technologies are differentiated according to their efficiency, operating temperatures, costs and application. The classifications are based on 6 major groups:

Alkaline fuel cell (AFC),

Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC),

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC),

Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC),

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC);

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)

The AFC generates electrical power using alkaline electrolyte KOH (potassium hydroxide) in water-based solution. The presence of hydroxyl ions within the electrolyte allows a circuit to extract electric energy. The illustration in Fig 2 reveals an alkaline fuel cell. As being revealed in Fig 2, two hydrogen gas molecules combines with 4 hydroxyl ions have a negative charge to release 4 electrons and 4 water molecules. The equation 4 reveals the reaction of oxidation that takes place. (Mark, 2003).

Equation (4)

(Oxidation) 2H2 + 4OH H2O +…...

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References

Andujar, J.M, Segura F. (2009). Fuel cells: history and updating. A walk along two centuries.

Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 13:2309 -- 22.

Grove, W.R. (1842). On a Gaseous Voltaic Battery. Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science .vol. XXI: 417 -- 420.

Kordesch, K.(1999). Alkaline fuel cells applications, innovative energy technology. Austria: Institute of High Voltage Engineering, U Graz.

Fuel Cell Technology
There are over 600 million motor vehicles in the world today. If present trends continue, the number of cars on Earth will double in the next 30 years." ("Cars Emit")

As the demand for energy increase and resources, such as fossil fuel, decrease alternative must be sought. Of these alternatives, hydrogen fuel cell technology, in automotive applications, has significant benefits and is now technologically feasible. Given this knowledge, it is imperative that we begin to set up the infrastructure necessary to utilize this technology.

I have studied this topic over the last three years, and the advancement of the technology has become increasingly exciting. hat was once a dream is now a reality.

I'm going to provide you first with an overview of how fuel cells work and then describe for you the benefits of the use of fuel cells, including why hydrogen is the best choice. And, in the…...

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Works Cited

Cars Emit Carbon Dioxide." 1997. Global Warming Focus on the Future. 27 May 2004. http://globalwarming.enviroweb.org/ishappening/sources/sources_co2_facts3.html.

Efficiency of Fuel Cells." 2004. HowStuffWorks.com. 27 May 2004.  http://science.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell4.htm .

Gasoline and Battery Power." 2004. HowStuffWorks.com. 27 May 2004.  http://science.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell5.htm .

Proton Exchange Membrane." 2004. HowStuffWorks.com. 27 May 2004.  http://science.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell2.htm .

Global climate change is a very interesting topic for an essay.  While the scientific evidence for climate change is extremely strong, there has been a push by many to deny or minimize the science.  This is not a science-driven approach, but an economic one.  There are negative short-term economic consequences that come with attempting to mitigate climate change. However, this position is short-sighted, as the long-term negative economic impact of climate change could be devastating.

In fact, because most climate change essays focus on the science, the economy is a great topic for....

Title: The Critical Reality of Global Warming: Challenges and Solutions

Introduction (300 words)

Definition and Overview: Begin by defining global warming and its relevance in the current global scenario.

Thesis Statement: Present a clear thesis that outlines your perspective on global warming, its impacts, and potential solutions.

Scope of Essay: Briefly describe what the essay will cover, including causes, effects, and mitigation strategies.

Section 1: Causes of Global Warming (600 words)

Human Activities: Discuss how industrialization, deforestation, and burning of fossil fuels contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Agricultural Practices: Explain the role of agriculture, including livestock farming and rice cultivation, in methane emissions.

Energy Consumption: Analyze how our....

Creating a 900-word essay on global warming is a substantial task. However, we can certainly help you get started with an outline, key points, and some sources that you can use to expand your essay.

Title:

"Global Warming: Understanding the Crisis and Seeking Solutions"

Introduction (Approx. 150 words):

• Definition of global warming.
• Brief overview of how global warming has become a critical issue in the 21st century.
• Thesis statement: This essay explores the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to global warming.

Causes of Global Warming (Approx. 250 words):

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Explain how carbon dioxide, methane, and....

Global Warming:

- Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature.
- It is primarily caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane.
- These greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun, leading to a rise in temperatures on Earth.
- Global warming can result in various impacts, including melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events.
- The term "global warming" specifically focuses on the increase in temperature.

Climate Change:

- Climate change refers to the broader set of changes occurring in Earth's climate system.
- It encompasses not only changes in....