Fossil Fuels: The Dirty Resource

What does dependence on oil mean for society?

1. National Security: most oil reserves are located in unstable countries in the Middle East, and conflicts will likely arise on a global scale to gain control of a most valued resource.

2. Economy: Our society depends on oil, so as oil prices rise; every aspect of American production will become more costly. Higher production costs translate into higher prices in the marketplace.

3. Standard of living: every pair of khaki pants, every soccer ball, and every laptop owned by a consumer requires oil to produce in factories, showcase in the market place, and ship to a home. With decreased oil availability the products cherished by the consumer will no longer be available in the quantity desired.

How do Fossil Fuels affect our Planet?

1. Global Warming: over the past 150 years, the amount of carbon dioxide has increased by 25% as a result of burning fossil fuels, and the global temperature has risen by .5 - 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit. An increase in carbon dioxide is positively correlated with a global increase in temperature. Increased temperatures mean higher sea levels, and the flooding of sea level communities such as Long Island.

2. Air Pollution: the combustion of fossil fuels releases harmful byproducts in the form of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. These pollutants can cause headaches, increased stress on heart disease, shortness of breath, lung irritation, and acid rain.

3. Heat Pollution: the release of heated water from generation plants into the oceans and rivers will decrease the dissolved oxygen in the water. Decreased disolved oxygen leads to eutrophication and decreases the survival of aquatic populations.

4. Wasted Water Usage: electricity production accounts for 40% of freshwater withdrawals in the United States. This water is used not only for extraction, processing, and fuel conversion, but for ongoing maintenance and cooling purposes. However, the energy portfolio is unequal in terms of water usage as seen in the figue below. Wind energy does not require any water withdrawal for electricity production.

Source: California’s Energy-Water Nexus: Water Use in Electricity Generation

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