Fossil Fuels And Global Warming

As we continue to consume fossil fuels on a scale never seen in human history, we are faced with the nagging but not imminent question: what is going to happen when we run out? It’s the same question any addict asks themselves, and the way they respond can affect the rest of their life. It is impossible to forget 2008: gasoline rose to nearly $4 a gallon, the stock market plummeted, millions lost their jobs, and Americans and foreigners alike responded in a way that only the fear of spending more money can motivate.

Carbon emissions are changing the planet for the worse. Energy production (mostly coal) is producing a one third of the US 's global warming emissions. Renewable sources produce little to zero percent. The balance of coal and renewable energy in the U.S. needs to be evened out with renewable techniques. Statistics from the Union of Concerned Scientist’s “Benefits of Renewable Energy Use” show that most renewable resources emit less than one pound of CO2E/kWh. These have significantly less of a carbon footprint than coal, which emits 1.4 to 3.6 lbs. CO2E/kWh or natural gas, which emits .6 to 2 lbs. CO2E/kWh. This impressive difference of carbon emissions between renewable and fossil fuel is the key to caring for our environment. A 2009 USC study found that if 25 percent of the US 's

The Annapolis city government has aimed to reduce emissions by 75% by the year 2025 as well as achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050 (Savidge 2010). In order to achieve these goals, the city government has committed to reducing energy usage by 10% in public facilities by 2017 and 15% by 2020 (Savidge 2010). The city government also plans to achieve 25% of their energy from renewable sources as well as providing greener and more energy efficient upgrades to public facilities and city transportation (Savidge 2010). The Annapolis community has aimed to reduce emissions by 50% by the year 2025 as well as achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050 (Savidge 2010). The community has been and will continue to actively encourage locals to purchase green and renewable energy, use alternative forms of transportation, increase recycling and reduce trash production, and to preform energy efficiency upgrades (Savidge 2010). Such efficiency upgrades could take place in the form of financing home energy improvements, energy efficient mortgages, energy smart schools, or zero interest loans for energy conservation and “green energy projects (Roseland 2012).” Mark Roseland published a paper on sustainability “solutions for citizens and their governments” that outlines the benefits that simple energy efficient upgrades can achieve (Roseland 2012). He states examples where residents can save over $1000 each year on oil, gas, and electric bills while reducing their emissions through local

Coal and natural gas are the United States’ main fossil fuels used as energy sources. These fossil fuels both contain mixtures of hydrocarbons, which is a chemical compound of carbon and hydrogen (Olah, 2005). Currently, fossil fuels provide eighty-five percent of commercial energy, such as businesses, worldwide and this eighty-five percent does not even account for residential use. Imagine if the residential energy use was accounted for in that eighty-five percent (Davison, 2007). According to Goodell (2006), “Between 1950 and 2000, the world population increased by 140 percent and fossil fuel consumption increased by 400 percent. By 2030, the world’s demand for energy is expected to more than double,” with most of the electricity

The U.S obtains more than 84% of its energy from fossil fuels including oil, coal and natural gas. This is because people rely on it to heat their homes, power industries, run vehicles, manufacturing, and provision of electricity. It is apparent that the country’s transportation industry highly depends on conventional petroleum oil, which is responsible for global warming, thus threatening economic opulence and national security. Apart from that, increasing consumption of fossil fuels have elevated health problems in the state, destroyed wild places, and polluted the environment. After conducting Environmental Impact Assessment, projections showed that the world energy consumption would increase by more than 56% between 2010 and 2040. However, fossil fuels will cater for more than 80% of the total energy used in 2040. Sadly, it will be a trajectory to alter the world’s climate, as well as, weaken the global security environment. Importantly, the rate at which the US relies on fossil fuels needs to reduce since it has adverse effects on the planet’s supplies. The society needs to realize that fossil fuels are nonrenewable, thus taking millions of years to form (Huebner, 2003). Notably, the country can reduce dependency on fossil fuels by practicing energy conservation and efficiency,

Everyday in U.S., immense amount of fossil fuel is burned. Fossil fuels are fuel formed by natural processes, such as decomposition of buried dead organisms. Fossil fuel release carbon dioxide when they are burned which adds to the greenhouse effect and increases global warming. The way we can help the environment and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide is by replaying fossil fuels with solar and wind sources for electric power generations in the U.S.

The United States is the second largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world, and yet is doing very little to fix this startling statistic (Dennis). The US’ reliance upon outdated energy sources continues to harm both the environment and the economy by producing millions of tonnes of pollution every year and costing the government billions of dollars (“Fact Sheet: Clean Power Plan”). Fossil fuels have been the main energy sources in America since the industrial revolution, and it is time to make a change. Renewable energy is energy harnessed from sources like the sun, wind, or water, and has little to no negative effects on the environment (“Renewable Energy Technology Basics”). The United States needs to integrate and increase the use of these types of energy across the country, as well as implement positive environmental policies, to prevent further pollution of the earth and combat the effects of climate change.

Coal, petroleum, natural gas. Together, they are the producers of approximately eighty percent of the world’s energy, and, according to the US Energy Information Administration, are predicted to remain as such throughout the early to-mid twenty-first century (EIA 6). Yet there are far more efficient fuels options than these, as the profound xkcd cartoon to the right suggests, and these options do not involve polluting the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change, or contaminating marine life with black goo. Additionally, fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources, and by definition cannot be expected to last forever. They are simply not a feasible long-term option. Therefore, rather than merely limit the use of fossil fuels, world policymakers should put as much effort as possible into developing cleaner, more efficient energy options like nuclear fusion. When fully commercialized, these more potent fuel sources should make fossil fuels obsolete by their very presence in the economy.

The issues that arises from switching our energy supply system from nonrenewable resources to renewable resources is much bigger than just the impact that they have on the environment; eventually these fossil fuels are going to run out and the demand for alternate forms of energy then rises. Currently in the United States, only 8% of our energy needs are met by renewable energy and of that 8% only 4% is supplied by wind energy; all other energy is supplied by nonrenewable resources (Wyoming Renewable 2013- 2015). The need for expansion of renewable energies is critical for the development of our nation and for the long term existence of our environment. In order to reverse global climate change the advancement of renewable technology must be explored more intensively.

Whilst it may seem a “no-brainer” to cease investment in non-renewable power and transfer our effort, resources and investment into developing renewable energy sources, the reality is that we have become so reliant and dependent upon non-renewable energy – particularly fossil fuels – that we must continue to use, develop, and invest in such energy to maintain the living standards that we enjoy today. In our short to medium-term future, and in spite of our ever-increasing scientific knowledge about the environmental price that we pay in using non-renewable energy, we must continue to invest in it. Let me explain why.

Wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass provide so much benefit for our climate, health and our economy. As many reliable energy’s rise on demand and expense like oil, coal, natural gas and nonrenewable fossil fuel that draw on limited resources which will eventually diminish. Looking at all the power plants and the millions of cars that exist in the streets today and many more technologies and industries that are polluting the air it is safe to say we may be going the wrong way into saving the world our kids will grow into. People and many utilities need to focus on the positive outcome of renewable energy. Like the good it brings on stable energy price, improvements on public health as well as the prevention of global warming discharge, jobs and other economic benefits.

The amount of fossil fuels being deposited into the air should be controlled. Not only do fossil fuels pose a threat to the environment, but also to human health. The problem is not only noticeable in the depletion of human health, but also in the air, water, and land. Emissions are a concerning contribution to other problems such as global warming and greenhouse gases as well.

In fact, the clean power plan would cut the pollution at least thirty percent by the end of the next decade (Climate Change/ The White House). By giving the states option to replace dirty coal plants with wind, solar and energy efficiency, it also has the potential to speed the shift to clean power. President Obama’s administration has made real progress in developing a wide range of initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy policies (Climate Change/ The White House). Since President Obama took office, the U.S. has increased solar electricity generation by more than ten-fold, and tripled electricity production from wind power. Building on the improvements of the first term, America continue to take new and comprehensive

If the current rate of consumption continues for oil, the planets entire oil supply is predicted to run out within the next 14 years. 21 years after that, our entire natural gas supply will run out. The reason is because the non-renewable resources we rely on are being used much faster then they can naturally be produced. As Peter Harper proposed, the problem of contemporary society can be stated succinctly: “We need to get (probably) 11 billion people through the transition complex to ‘Sustainia’, the sustainable state, before irreversible damage is done” (HARPER). The limited availability of non-renewable resources combined with the resulting pollution of obtaining and using non-renewable resources has sparked a movement towards renewable resources. These renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, offer “green” alternatives to fossil fuels. The sun is our most powerful source of energy and can be used for a variety of processes. Even though solar technology only accounts for about 1% of the world’s energy consumption, solar technology has the potential to become a major contributor to the world’s energy consumption. Solar energy’s future importance can be found by the long-term threat of global climate change. Carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels account for the largest amount of greenhouse gases that are causing our

Most Americans would agree that global warming is a real threat to our planet, and that implementing alternative energy sources is a major step to combating the effects of it. Yet, only 4% of American homeowners have residential solar panels installed, and only 40% have even considered the option (6). It is a widespread myth that solar panels are only for the rich, and should be considered a luxury. While It turns out that solar panels have become increasingly affordable for the middle class over the past decade, with the White House announcing several policies to ensure so (2). And if solar panels are not the right choice for you due to living space or economic position, there are other alternative energy systems out there worth