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Uses & Dangers of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels, which come from decomposition of dead organisms under ground, are finite resources that serve as the primary energy source for much of the world. Fossil fuels have become a controversial due to their environmental effects and concerns about society's overreliance on them, and the question of whether to nudge society in the direction of other energy sources and when and how to do it can inspire heated debate. When discussing what to do about the issue, people should both consider the many things fossil fuels are used for as well as the dangers they pose to the environment and to modern society.

  1. Generates Electricity

    • Fossil fuels' main use is to generate electricity, and coal --- a type of fossil fuel --- is the No. 1 electricity generator and accounts for half of all fossil-fuel resource usage. Many countries use other fossil fuels, such as natural gas and petroleum, to power cities and towns. Heating and cooling also depends on these fossil fuels particularly in very cold regions, where people must consume a lot of energy in order to stay warm. In warmer climates, air conditioners are a major drain on fossil fuel resources.

    Fuels Automobiles, Trucks and Other Vehicles

    • Gasoline and diesel --- both derived from fossil fuels --- fuel automobiles and trucks. Millions of vehicles burn through huge amounts of fossil fuels every day around the world, and virtually every corner of the United States features a gas station where people can fill up their tanks. Because of this dependency, it's hard to push alternative energy sources and bring about a fundamental change in the fuel infrastructure.

    Environmental Impacts

    • Most scientists place the blame for a global rise in temperatures on the combustion of fossil fuels for energy, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and traps heat from the sun. Scientists are concerned that rising temperatures are causing polar ice caps to melt and worldwide sea levels to rise. The higher temperatures could also lead to more intense heat waves, fierce wildfires and overall higher energy bills, and it would take a long time and a lot of money to undo these environmental impacts. Conservationists are also concerned that the drilling of oil can lead to environmental catastrophes, such as the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

    Overreliance

    • Another concern is that fossil fuel is a limited resource, although people differ on how long fuel reserves will last. If and when supplies run out, civilization may be starved for energy if no one finds a viable alternative that can fully replace fossil fuels in time. Further, the world's population continues to grow, which could lead to mankind burning through fossil fuel at an even faster rate, accelerating the exhaustion of fuel supplies.

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