Fossil fuels release energy emissions that cause air pollution and contribute to global warming. While alternative energy sources are available, fossil fuels remain the primary source due to their effectiveness. Fossil fuels are formed from prehistoric plants and animals, and their combustion releases carbon and hydrocarbons into the air, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Other substances and particulates are also released, such as sulfur and nitrogen, which contribute to acid rain. Reducing energy emissions is an important goal for the world’s population.
Energy emissions are substances that are released into the air through the combustion of fossil fuels. Many scientists believe that the release of energy emissions into the air is a primary cause of air pollution and contributes to the acceleration of the greenhouse effect and global warming. While there is disagreement about the concept of man-made global warming, there seems to be a consensus among many that, regardless of one’s views on global warming, reducing energy emissions is a positive and important goal for the world’s population.
Although interest in alternative forms of energy such as wind, solar and geothermal has grown as people have looked for ways to reduce energy emissions, most of the world’s energy consumption is still fueled through the use of fossil fuels. This is because fossil fuels, which consist of oil, natural gas and coal, are highly effective sources of energy. The root of this energy is in their organic origin, as they are composed of the remains of prehistoric plants and animals.
When prehistoric plants and animals died, their remains combined and were covered in mud, silt, sediment, and water to create layers of organic material. Over time, as the remains decomposed, they were broken down into simple carbon atoms or a combination of hydrogen and carbon atoms known as hydrocarbons. The remains of animals and plants that lived in prehistoric bodies of water formed the basis of oil and natural gas, while coal was formed from the remains of trees and other plants found on earth.
To harness and use the energy found in fossil fuels, they must be burned. The combustion process releases the carbon and hydrocarbons found in coal, oil and natural gas into the air. Hydrogen released into the air combines with oxygen to form water vapor. The carbon emitted combines with the oxygen present in the atmosphere to form carbon dioxide, considered a greenhouse gas.
A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat from the sun and helps keep the surface of the earth warm. While a certain amount of greenhouse gases is needed to keep the earth from being too cold to support life, many believe that an excess of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could lead to critical and dangerous warming of the earth. Those who believe in man-made global warming believe that reducing carbon-containing energy emissions is important for slowing or preventing the development of the greenhouse effect.
The combustion of fossil fuels also releases other substances and particulates into the air. For example, coal generally contains a high amount of sulfur, so when it is burned it gives off sulfur into the air. Sulfur combines with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide, which is a major component of acid rain. Nitrogen is another common gas that is released into the air through the burning of fossil fuels. Nitrogen combines with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen oxides, which is another component of acid rain.
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