What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels?
Man’s needs for fuel, since the old times, have been met through fossil fuels, which are extracted from the organic remains of prehistoric animals and plants. Comprising mainly of coal, oil and gas, they are used for most of the world’s electric power and other energy demands, but are foreseen to be in short supply in the future, as our fuel needs continue to grow at a fast rate.
The use of fossil fuels is one of the most popular topics during debates, considering what it can do for us and how it impacts our lives. To give you a good perspective on this matter, here are the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels:
List of Advantages of Fossil Fuels
1. They produce large amounts …show more content…
They cost low. Due to their availability throughout the world and easy extraction methods, fossil fuels are that expensive. To obtain them in a refined form, they just need to be properly treated without a wide set up, so it is economical. Unlike alternative energy sources, like wind or solar, investments needed for their facilities are too high, preventing many people from installing solar panels and wind turbines at home.
List of Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels
1. They pose environmental hazards. When burnt, fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas that is the main culprit of global warming. It is important to note that temperature rises have resulted the polar ice caps to melt, leading to rises in sea levels and flooding of low-lying. These conditions would be devastating to many people on the planet.
2. They contribute to acid rain. During combustion, fossil fuels also produce sulphur dioxide, which is a factor for acid rain. This phenomenon destroys monuments that are made of brickwork or marbles and even crops, which are affected due to loam …show more content…
They affect marine life through oil spills. Fossil fuels, being needed to be transported to their processing plants via land, air and water poses a threat to the environment. The process can involve leaks in oil tankers or ships getting drowned deep under the sea. The crude oil contains some toxic substances that, when mixed up with water, pose serious hazards to marine life.
7. They need huge amounts of reserves. Coal power plants need regular and huge supply of resources to produce large amounts of electricity on a constant basis, which means they need reserves of almost train-loads of fuel for the power stations to carry out their operations.
8. They have rising prices. Countries in the Middle East have huge oil and gas reserves, so many other countries are dependent on them for constant fuel supply. They comprise the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which is are responsible for almost half the world’s oil production, even holding the majority of oil reserves. It constantly monitors the volume of oil consumption and then adjusts its own production to maintain desired barrel prices. This results oil price fluctuations around the world.
Man’s needs for fuel, since the old times, have been met through fossil fuels, which are extracted from the organic remains of prehistoric animals and plants. Comprising mainly of coal, oil and gas, they are used for most of the world’s electric power and other energy demands, but are foreseen to be in short supply in the future, as our fuel needs continue to grow at a fast rate.
The use of fossil fuels is one of the most popular topics during debates, considering what it can do for us and how it impacts our lives. To give you a good perspective on this matter, here are the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels:
List of Advantages of Fossil Fuels
1. They produce large amounts …show more content…
They cost low. Due to their availability throughout the world and easy extraction methods, fossil fuels are that expensive. To obtain them in a refined form, they just need to be properly treated without a wide set up, so it is economical. Unlike alternative energy sources, like wind or solar, investments needed for their facilities are too high, preventing many people from installing solar panels and wind turbines at home.
List of Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels
1. They pose environmental hazards. When burnt, fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas that is the main culprit of global warming. It is important to note that temperature rises have resulted the polar ice caps to melt, leading to rises in sea levels and flooding of low-lying. These conditions would be devastating to many people on the planet.
2. They contribute to acid rain. During combustion, fossil fuels also produce sulphur dioxide, which is a factor for acid rain. This phenomenon destroys monuments that are made of brickwork or marbles and even crops, which are affected due to loam …show more content…
They affect marine life through oil spills. Fossil fuels, being needed to be transported to their processing plants via land, air and water poses a threat to the environment. The process can involve leaks in oil tankers or ships getting drowned deep under the sea. The crude oil contains some toxic substances that, when mixed up with water, pose serious hazards to marine life.
7. They need huge amounts of reserves. Coal power plants need regular and huge supply of resources to produce large amounts of electricity on a constant basis, which means they need reserves of almost train-loads of fuel for the power stations to carry out their operations.
8. They have rising prices. Countries in the Middle East have huge oil and gas reserves, so many other countries are dependent on them for constant fuel supply. They comprise the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which is are responsible for almost half the world’s oil production, even holding the majority of oil reserves. It constantly monitors the volume of oil consumption and then adjusts its own production to maintain desired barrel prices. This results oil price fluctuations around the world.