Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuels Essay -- Essays Papers

Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuels Besides food, fossil fuels are our most important resource. According to www.bydesign.com, there are three major resources. These resources are coal, oil and natural gas. The environmental impact of fossil fuel usage affects us greatly as individuals and as a global community. Coal causes much damage to our environment. Coal extraction is a serious cause of water pollution. Coal is used primarily to produce electricity. Coal releases nitrous oxide when it is burned. Nitrous oxide unfortunately stays in the atmosphere for a long time. Because this is kept in the atmosphere for such a long time it is very difficult to see or predict the harmful effects of this gas. Nearly fifty percent of the nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere is directly produced by coal. According to www.eia.gov the US energy supply and demand predicts that annual coal usage will increase from 1146 million short tons to 1175 million short tons. This means that the environmental detriments from coal usage will only increase. Currently, there is no sure way to relieve the environmental stressors caused by coal. However, for me, personally, this is a relief. This is relieving because my father owns a small family business that sells mulch and driveway stone. During the winter months, his busine ss depends on coal sales. In the past few decades, household usage of coal has decreased significantly due to the growing availability and convenience of other fuels. I do not believe that this statistic indicates that the average for household usage will increase, but it is encouraging to hear that coal will not disappear anytime soon. Oil is another one of the fossil fuels to which many of my father’s previous customers are conv... ...vironment. Overall, fossil fuels have major impact on our environment. Our energy choices leave lasting impacts on the lives of plants, animals and ourselves. Many health and physical concerns can be linked to fossil fuel usage. Hopefully, by reducing our energy consumption we will be able to protect our lives and lives of those to come. Works Cited About Fossil Fuel. 19 Feb 2004. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.bydesign.com/fossilfuels/links/html/fossil_fuel.html>. Natural Gas and the Environment. 2004. Naturalgas.org. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp>. Restoring the Resources. Exxon Valdez Oil Trustee Council. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/prevention.html>. "Short Term Energy Outlook." Short-Term Energy Outlook – March 2005. 8 Mar 2005. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html>. Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuels Essay -- Essays Papers Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuels Besides food, fossil fuels are our most important resource. According to www.bydesign.com, there are three major resources. These resources are coal, oil and natural gas. The environmental impact of fossil fuel usage affects us greatly as individuals and as a global community. Coal causes much damage to our environment. Coal extraction is a serious cause of water pollution. Coal is used primarily to produce electricity. Coal releases nitrous oxide when it is burned. Nitrous oxide unfortunately stays in the atmosphere for a long time. Because this is kept in the atmosphere for such a long time it is very difficult to see or predict the harmful effects of this gas. Nearly fifty percent of the nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere is directly produced by coal. According to www.eia.gov the US energy supply and demand predicts that annual coal usage will increase from 1146 million short tons to 1175 million short tons. This means that the environmental detriments from coal usage will only increase. Currently, there is no sure way to relieve the environmental stressors caused by coal. However, for me, personally, this is a relief. This is relieving because my father owns a small family business that sells mulch and driveway stone. During the winter months, his busine ss depends on coal sales. In the past few decades, household usage of coal has decreased significantly due to the growing availability and convenience of other fuels. I do not believe that this statistic indicates that the average for household usage will increase, but it is encouraging to hear that coal will not disappear anytime soon. Oil is another one of the fossil fuels to which many of my father’s previous customers are conv... ...vironment. Overall, fossil fuels have major impact on our environment. Our energy choices leave lasting impacts on the lives of plants, animals and ourselves. Many health and physical concerns can be linked to fossil fuel usage. Hopefully, by reducing our energy consumption we will be able to protect our lives and lives of those to come. Works Cited About Fossil Fuel. 19 Feb 2004. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.bydesign.com/fossilfuels/links/html/fossil_fuel.html>. Natural Gas and the Environment. 2004. Naturalgas.org. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp>. Restoring the Resources. Exxon Valdez Oil Trustee Council. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/prevention.html>. "Short Term Energy Outlook." Short-Term Energy Outlook – March 2005. 8 Mar 2005. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html>.