Environmental Problems Caused by Fossil Fuels

Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY FOSSIL FUELS

Environmental Problems Caused by Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas are the world’s primary energy source. We use energy every day to generate electricity, heat, and for the transportation of people and products, and enables food production and access to potable water. Although fossil fuels have fueled the global economy over the past century, their consumption causes irreparably harm to the environment. Some of the environmental problems caused by the burning of these finite resources are air pollution, habitat destruction, ocean acidification and the best known problem associated with the burning of fossil fuels is climate change.

Fossil fuels are currently the most economically available source of power for both personal and commercial uses. Petroleum fuels our cars and thirst for plastics, while natural gas and coal heat and electrify our homes. Mass transportation is also largely propelled by fossil fuels. In 2005, more than 3/4 of total world energy consumption was through the use of fossil fuels. Petroleum led with over 43.4 percent of the world's total energy consumption, followed by natural gas (15.6 percent) and coal (8.3 percent). North America is the largest consumer of fossil fuels, utilizing nearly 25 percent of the world's resources (ELC, n.d.).

Long thought to be inexhaustible, fossil fuels have been used extensively since the Industrial Revolution. However, many believe that the world is using fossil fuels at an unsustainable rate. Some experts believe that the world has already reached its peak for oil extraction and production, and that it is only a matter of time before natural gas and coal follow suit. These near-term concerns about oil supply have led to increasing focus on, and exploration of, alternative sources of petroleum, such as in tar sands, oil shale (ELC, n.d.) and green energy.

In order for fossil fuels to release their stored energy they...