Fossil fuels have brought advancement to human civilization by lighting up homes, powering factories, and making transport accessible.
In 2021, the US generated about 61% of the electricity from fossil fuels including coal, natural gas, and other gases. But there is a price we have been paying for the consumption of fossil fuels at a massive scale. Here are five reasons why we must reduce the usage of fossil fuels and switch to better alternatives. Clean and sustainable energy that can be derived from renewable sources can be a smarter choice for the long run.
1. Use of Fossil Fuel is Wrecking Our Climate
The burning of fossil fuels can emit greenhouse gases which leads to heat-trapping ultimately resulting in global warming. Over 40% of carbon dioxide emissions are by burning fossil fuels! This results in untimely season changes and frequent temperature fluctuations. Moreover, the combustion of fossil fuels causes air pollution and smog that lowers the air quality index globally. Acid rain is a result of the reaction between greenhouse gases like Sulfur Dioxide and Oxides of Nitrogen. All these factors pose a threat to the environment and climatic conditions.
2. Fossil Fuels Can Lead to Health Diseases
Combustion of fossil fuels can lead to air pollution, but did you know it can also cause serious health impacts? Respiratory disorders like lung cancer and asthma are common among those who are exposed to pollutants. Factory workers and nearby residents have the most exposure to it. Studies have found that frequent exposure to natural gas or fossil fuel combustion can lead to Autism spectrum disorder and increase the chances of a stroke.
3. Fossil Fuels Can Pose a Harm to Water Resources
We have witnessed a lot of big oil spills in the past such as in 1989, the Alaska disaster. And, small oil spills occur frequently. Every decade, millions of tons of oil gets spilled into water bodies. Crude oil can kill almost everything it comes in contact with and can cause a threat to water wildlife. Other than that, industrialization and mining of these fossil fuels contaminate the water resources to a huge extent.
4. Fossil Fuels are Non-renewable
Once you burn fossil fuel, it’s gone! Fossil fuel is available in limited quantities and can be exhausted soon. Increasing population and rising demand can lead to the exhaustion of fossil fuels even faster. As of 2020, the US has natural gas that can last up to only 98 years. This may seem sufficient but the upcoming generations will face scarcity of fossil fuels. That’s the reason we should give a thought about switching to renewable energy sources such as Solar power, Wind power, and Electric Vehicles. Want to get solar panels installed in a commercial or residential area? Get in touch with Finulent today!
5. Fossil Fuels are Dangerous to Produce and Maintain
Mining is a potentially hazardous job and mining accidents can pose a danger to human life. Although there have been advancements in the machinery and technology used for mining, still the probability of error always prevails. A Mine disaster in West Virginia in 2010 killed about 30 people and there have been many more similar disasters. Also, explosions in refineries and gas leakages are common which can again be dangerous to human life and architectural structures.
The Ending Note
We should use fossil fuels judiciously and switch to green energy as soon as possible. It’s high time we understand the signs of nature and save the resources for future generations. Be smart and make your energy choices wisely!