ENERGY FROM WIND

Wind is simple air in motion. It is caused by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun. Since the earth’s surface is made of very different types of land and water, it absorbs the sun’s heat at different rates. During the day, the air above the land heats up more quickly than the air over water. The warm air over the land expands and rises, and the heavier, cooler air rushes in to take its place, creating winds. At night, the winds are reversed because the air cools more rapidly over land than over water. In the same way, the large atmospheric winds that circle the earth are created because the land near the earth’s equator is heated more by the sun than the land near the North and South Poles. Today, wind energy is mainly used to generate electricity. Wind is called a renewable energy source because the wind will blow as long as the sun shines.

HOW WIND MACHINES WORK

Like old fashioned windmills, today’s wind machines use blades to collect the wind’s kinetic energy. Windmills work because they slow down the speed of the wind. The wind flows over the airfoil shaped blades causing lift, like the effect on airplane wings, causing them to turn. The blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns an electric generator to produce electricity. With the new wind machines, there is still the problem of what to do when the wind isn’t blowing. At those times, other types of power plants must be used to make electricity.

TYPES OF WIND MACHINES

There are two types of wind machines (turbines) used today based on the direction of the rotating shaft (axis): horizontal–axis wind machines and vertical-axis wind machines. The size of wind machines varies widely. Small turbines used to power a single home or business may have a capacity of less than 100 kilowatts. Some large commercial sized turbines may have a capacity of 5 million watts, or 5 megawatts. Larger turbines are often grouped together into wind farms that provide power to the electrical grid.

Horizontal-axis Most wind machines being used today are the horizontal-axis type. Horizontal-axis wind machines have blades like airplane propellers. A typical horizontal wind machine stands as tall as a 20-story building and has three blades that span 200 feet across. The largest wind machines in the world have blades longer than a football field! Wind machines stand tall and wide to capture more wind.

Vertical-axis Vertical–axis wind machines have blades that go from top to bottom and the most common type (Darrieus wind turbine) looks like a giant two-bladed egg beaters. The type of vertical wind machine typically stands 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Vertical-axis wind machines make up only a very small percent of the wind machines used today. The Wind Amplified Rotor Platform (WARP) is a different kind of wind system that is designed to be more efficient and use less land than wind machines in use today. The WARP does not use large blades; instead, it looks like a stack of wheel rims. Each module has a pair of small, high capacity turbines mounted to both of its concave wind amplifier module channel surfaces. The concave surfaces channel wind toward the turbines, amplifying wind speeds by 50 percent or more. Eneco, the company that designed WARP, plans to market the technology to power offshore oil platforms and wireless telecommunications systems.

WIND POWER PLANTS 

Wind power plants, or wind farms as they are sometimes called, are clusters of wind machines used to produce electricity. A wind farm usually has dozens of wind machines scattered over a large area. The world’s largest wind farm, the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in Texas, has 421 wind turbines that generate enough electricity to power 220,000 homes per year. Unlike power plants, many wind plants are not owned by public utility companies. Instead they are owned and operated by business people who sell the electricity produced on the wind farm to electric utilities. These private companies are known as Independent Power Producers. Operating a wind power plant is not as simple as just building a windmill in a windy place. Wind plant owners must carefully plan where to locate their machines. One important thing to consider is how fast and how much the wind blows. As a rule, wind speed increases with altitude and over open areas with no windbreaks. Good sites for wind plants are the tops of smooth, rounded hills, open plains or shorelines, and mountain gaps that produce wind funneling. Wind speed varies throughout the country. It also varies from season to season. In Tehachapi, California, the wind blows more from April through October than it does in the winter. This is because of the extreme heating of the Mojave Desert during the summer months. The hot air over the desert rises, and the cooler, denser air above the Pacific Ocean rushes through the Tehachapi mountain pass to take its place. In a state like Montana, on the other hand, the wind blows more during the winter. Fortunately, these seasonal variations are a good match for the electricity demands of the regions. In California, people use more electricity during the summer for air conditioners. In Montana, people use more electricity during the winter months for heating.

WIND PRODUCTION

 In 2006, wind machines in the United States generated a total of 26.6 billion kWh per year of electricity, enough to serve more than 2.4 million households. This is enough electricity to power a city larger than Los Angeles, but it is only a small fraction of the nation’s total electricity production, about 0.4 percent. The amount of electricity generated from wind has been growing fast in recent years. In 2006, electricity generated from wind was 2 1/2 times more than wind generation in 2002. New technologies have decreased the cost of producing electricity from wind, and growth in wind power has been encouraged by tax breaks for renewable energy and green pricing programs. Many utilities around the country offer green pricing options that allow customers the choice to pay more for electricity that comes from renewable sources. Wind machines generate electricity in 28 different states in 2006. The states with the most wind production are Texas, California, Iowa, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. Most of the wind power plants in the world are located in Europe and in the United States where government programs have helped support wind power development. The United States ranks second in the world in wind power capacity, behind Germany and ahead of Spain and India. Denmark ranks number six in the world in wind power capacity but generates 20 percent of its electricity from wind.

WIND AND THE ENVIRONMENT

In the 1970s, oil shortages pushed the development of alternative energy sources. In the 1990s, the push came from a renewed concern for the environment in response to scientific studies indicating potential changes to the global climate if the use of fossil fuels continues to increase. Wind energy is an economical power resource in many areas of the country. Wind is a clean fuel; wind farms produce no air or water pollution because no fuel is burned. Growing concern about emissions from fossil fuel generation, increased government support, and higher costs for fossil fuels (especially natural gas and coal) have helped wind power capacity in the United States grow substantially over the last 10 years. The most serious environmental drawbacks to wind machines may be their negative effect on wild bird populations and the visual impact on the landscape. To some, the glistening blades of windmills on the horizon are an eyesore; to others, they’re a beautiful alternative to conventional power plants.

What is Wind Energy?

Finding green sources of energy in the modern world is steadily increasing due to profound impacts of fossil fuels including global warming, climate change, air quality deterioration, acid rains and oil spills. Solar and wind energy are the two biggest players in the green energy world. Almost everyone understands what solar energy is. However, wind energy is the least explored subject among the populace.

When wind blows, we call it energy from the wind. To understand wind energy better, it would be beneficial to get attuned to its nature and where it stems from. That way, you can be able to recognize the challenges and benefits of utilizing it.

Wind energy is a kind of kinetic energy, or simply energy in motion brought about by the sun’s effect on the atmosphere. Naturally, the sun rays unevenly heat the atmosphere. The entire heating process, in conjunction with the earth’s rotation, produces wind that disperses throughout the different earth surfaces. The same wind can be harnessed to rotate turbines, consequently, generating electricity.

Wind Energy could be converted into the mechanical and electrical energies. It is used in the wind battery charges, wind pumps and wind electricity generators. When it comes to the wind power applications then it could be used to run pumps in order to draw water from grounds via wind mills.

In other words, winds are caused by uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the roughness of the Earth surface and Earth’s rotation. Winds flow patterns are changed by the topography of land, water and plants. Modern wind turbines use this flow of air to generate electricity. We, humans, use this wind flow for various purposes e.g.: generating electricity, drying clothes, sailing etc.

Wind energy today is the cleanest and most reliable way to generate electricity. Wind power neither produces any toxic emissions nor any heat-trapping emissions that contribute to global warming. The fact that wind energy is most widely available, abundant and increasingly cost-competitive energy resources, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels that harm our health and threaten the environment .

The term wind power describes the process by which wind is used to make the mechanical energy or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind energy into mechanical power.

This mechanical power may be used for certain activities (such as milling of rice or pumping water) or a generator can convert mechanical energy to electrical energy at home, business, schools or other facilities.

What are the benefits for wind energy?

It’s a clean fuel source. Wind energy doesn’t pollute the air like power plants that rely on combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, which emit particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide—causing human health problems and economic damages.

How is wind useful to humans?

Wind energy is a source of renewable energy… For these reasons, producing electricity through wind energy and its efficient use contributes to sustainable development. Wind energy does not emit toxic substances or contaminants into the air, which can be very damaging to the environment and to human beings.

How do we use wind energy in everyday life?

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.

Should we use wind energy?

Wind energy doesn’t pollute the air like power plants that rely on combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas. Wind turbines don’t produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain or greenhouse gasses. Wind energy relies on the renewable power of the wind, which can’t be used up.

How Do Wind Turbines Work?

Before we look at how a turbine generates electricity, it would be helpful to know the types and components of a turbine.

Types of Wind Turbines

Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis rotor, like the traditional farm windmills used for pumping water, and the vertical-axis rotor, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor. Most large modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis turbines.

The most common is the horizontal axis rotor, which quintessentially, comes along with three blades. Three blade turbines operate ‘’upwind” (Blades facing into the wind). A turbine can be installed on land or off the shore in huge water bodies such as lakes and oceans. The offshore wind turbine is a new technology lacking in most countries; however, the countries’ respective energy departments are working around the clock to make the technology available. The United States, nonetheless, recently launched its first offshore turbine.

1. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine – This is the standard type of wind turbine where the low-speed shaft that connects to the rotor is horizontal. There are various ways to construct this wind turbine but they all follow the same concept as outlined above. The rotor spins with the wind and the rotational kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy through a generator
2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine – This type of wind turbine is less common but has an advantage in that the rotor does not need to face into the wind. The shaft connecting to the rotor is vertical and the gearbox and generator are generally at the bottom of the tower. There are many types of vertical axis wind turbines all of which follow the same concept of force along the X-axis (parallel to the ground) as opposed to horizontal axis turbines which use force along the Y-axis (perpendicular to the ground).

The following are different variations that come from vertical axis wind turbine systems. Many of these were engineered decades ago and are no longer seen in use today, however the designs for these have been adapted and tweaked such that newer models can be developed that are more efficient with less problems than the older ones.

1. Darrieus Wind Turbine – This vertical axis wind turbine uses curved blades that rotate and creates an internal force of wind that enables the rotor to spin at high speeds regardless of the wind speed. The downside of this is that this turbine generally requires an external motor to start spinning
2. Giromill – A variation of the Darrieus Wind Turbine in that it uses an H shaped rotor. The difference between the two is that the giromill uses straight blades that run parallel to the shaft. Other than that, the two operate on the entirely same principal
3. Cycloturbine – A type of giromill that not only has straight blades running vertically but also that the straight blade can itself rotate around its center axis. The advantage in this type of turbine is that it generates the most amount of power and can self-start (start without any external assistance).
4. Savonius Wind Turbine – This vertical axis wind turbine relies on the principles of drag and wind resistance to function. The blades are shaped like an S with the two curved parts of the S moving with the wind. The curved part creates less drag and therefore the rotor is able to spin. These turbines do not generate much energy.
5. Vortexis Wind Turbine – This is the most recent development of vertical axis wind turbines. It has seen use in Afghanistan and Iraq by special forces needing to power their devices. This turbine has two sets of blades, one smaller set that sits in a circle and one bigger set that surrounds the smaller set in a larger circle, that act in a gearbox like fashion. The outer set of blades use the wind to spin and by that set of blades spinning they force their own wind to turn the smaller inside set of blades. These blades are connected to the shaft which then turns a generator.

Wind Turbine Components

Wind turbine systems are made up of many different pieces of equipment that all serve a purpose in delivering electricity where it is intended to go. Of those many different pieces, the below list serves as a general blueprint for the main components that can and often times will be found in wind turbine systems regardless of the type of design.

• Rotor – The rotor is made of blades that are attached to a centerpiece. The blades are shaped such that when the wind pushes against them they turn

• Pitch Drive – Used to rotate blades to accommodate for high-speed wind

• Nacelle – The rotor is attached to a housing unit called a nacelle, which protects various other components necessary to the wind turbine operation

• Brake – Necessary to slow the rotor down

• Low-Speed Shaft – Attaches to the rotor and turns as the rotor turns on a 1:1 ratio

• Gear Box – Serves the same function as a car, the rotor spins slowly as the wind pushes against it and the gearbox or transmission increases that rotational speed for the generator

• High-Speed Shaft – Attaches to the gearbox and generator and spins at a higher speed than the rotor or low-speed shaft

• Generator – Actual mechanism that converts the rotational kinetic energy into electricity

• Wind Vane – Detects direction of wind and adjusts the rotor and nacelle to compensate

• Yaw Drive – Keeps the rotor and therefore the turbines facing the wind

• Tower – Elevates the aforementioned components to an altitude that optimizes wind exposure

Advantages of Wind Energy

Wind energy is eco-friendly

Wind energy generates electricity without emission of carbon dioxide, which pollutes the environment and can alter the climate. It’s a clean source of fuel since it produces electricity without the dangerous environmental pollutants that emanate from burning of coal, for instance, sulfur and nitrogen, which can result in mercury, acid rains, and many other pollutants.

Wind energy is relatively inexpensive

The fact that it is renewable makes it a cost effective source of energy in the modern world. Wind energy costs generally range from 4 to 6 cents per kilowatt/hour. This, however, depends on the wind resource and specific financing.

Wind energy has enabled electricity reach in remote locations

The advent of wind power enabled the powering of remote locations, for example, remote countryside and mountain communities, which has led to mushrooming of economic activities.

It’s a steady and reliable source of electricity

Winds are brought about by the sun heating the atmosphere, earth’s surfaces irregularities and earth’s rotation. This, ideally, means that as long as wind blows and the sun shines, energy produced will continually be tapped to produce electricity. When complimented with solar electricity, wind energy is a great resource for both developed and developing countries to guarantee steady and reliable source of electricity.

Wind turbines take up less space

The average power station takes up a lot more space than a wind turbine, meaning, it can be built on existing farm or ranch. This is a great victory for rural dwellers as the economy is boosted. Ranchers and farmers can go on working on their farms since the wind turbine takes up just a fraction of the farm. Individuals or organizations building turbines also remit payments to landowners and ranchers guaranteeing them a form of income.

Wind energy contribute to job creation

According to the Wind Vision Report, over $8 billion of private equity was invested in the U.S. wind sector in 2014 alone. This contributed more than 73, 000 jobs in the economy. By 2050, the same report projects that wind energy will be able to support over 600,000 jobs in different sectors.

Disadvantages of Wind Energy

Wind energy is variable

Not all areas are ideal for wind turbine installation. Wind patterns change every single day (not all days are windy). Because of the variable nature of wind energy, it can’t be relied upon as a sole source of energy.

Wind turbines may interfere with the natural beauty of the landscape and cause noise pollution

Most farmers and ranchers may resist the installation of turbines due to fear that they may affect the natural aesthetics of the surrounding environment. Although turbines have a lot less impact on the environment compared with traditional power plants, concerns remain over noise produced by turbines and visual effects on the landscape. In fact, the noise emanating from commercial turbines can be equated to a small jet engine.

Turbine blades can pose great danger to local bird species

Many reports of bird deaths as a result of hitting spinning blades have been received over the years. The Wind turbine owners and manufacturers have tried to mitigate the problem by correctly siting turbines and embracing technological advancements. Despite all these efforts, bird deaths are still occurring, which threatens to wipe out certain bird species.

The initial infrastructure is costly

It is a fact that remarkable wind sites are situated far away from cities where the most electricity is required. In addition to turbine installation, huge costs of distributing electricity to cities must be met.

Wind energy produce a lot less electricity compared to fossil fuel power station. Although wind energy is a clean source of fuel, fossil fuel still beats it regarding electricity generation capacity.

Wind turbines which are a part of renewable energy has been playing significant role in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels by offering some great solutions to generate electricity. Wind energy produces over 20% of electricity in some countries.

Scientists predict that this percentage will increase in the coming years as more and more countries will allocate part of their budget in increasing their reliance on these renewable energy sources thereby reducing pollution levels and global warming. This is all part of the fight to reduce global warming induced climate change and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

You can gather some more information by looking at the videos which is given below:

Introduction to Wind Power

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3JzgSnW_EE

https://youtu.be/tsZITSeQFR0

Air pollution effects:

World’s Top 10 Toxic Pollution Problems

Every day synthetic, toxic chemicals are released into the environment. It affects our water, land and air. Water is our most vital resource but also our most threatened. Without water, there is no life.  Our land is where we live and thrive upon. The air is what we breathe; what travels through the air is what we inhale. As it ultimately affects the future of our planet and us, it is considered to be a global threat at huge cost to the environment.

The toxic pollution problems discussed below impacts more to the people who live near to the sources of pollution. These pollutants may cause serious health effects such as birth defects, development disorders, respiratory problems, cancer and in some cases can lead to death. Apart from this, it can also have adverse effect on wildlife and environment.

1. Lead-Acid Battery Recycling

These rechargeable batteries are composed of lead plates and sulphuric acid in a plastic case. The battery recycling business is a very large industry, and although it aims to reduce the number of disposable batteries as solid waste, batteries contain a high number of toxic metals and chemicals like lead oxide that lead to the pollution of our water and contamination of soil.

2. Mercury and Lead Pollution from Mining

More than two million people globally are affected by mining and ore processing. These mining sites provide various minerals and metals to produce variety of products and minerals. The most hazardous chemicals that are found near these sites are lead, chromium, asbestos, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.

3. Coal Mining (Sulphur Dioxide and Mercury Pollution)

Though it’s often overlooked, the high levels of mercury in the air are a serious threat to human health. Originating from power plants fired by coal, many of which are located very close to large urban areas and cities in America. It can also travel exceptionally far (as in thousands of miles) through the air. Mercury is extremely damaging to human health as it severely damages the brain and nervous system when inhaled or made contact with. It is also estimated that a high percentage of pregnant woman in America are affected by high mercury levels that affect a foetus brain development. All in all, mercury is one of the most deadly toxic pollutants in the air.

Not only is Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) a substantial pollutant in our air and a direct result of coal power plants, it is also one of the causes of some serious health problems. It can be a root cause of lung cancer, asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. As a result, thousands of people are tragically hospitalized or die each year. It is seriously toxic to human health. SO2 originates primarily from fossil fuel combustion at power plants and coal power plants.

4. Artisanal Gold Mining (Mercury Pollution)

The production process of retrieving gold from mined ores releases more mercury than any other global sector. The mining process is usually done in the open air, putting people living nearby at risk either through contaminated water or soil. The vaporized mercury is a potent neurotoxic element that causes development disorders and affects the central nervous system.

5. Lead Smelting

Each year millions of people are affected by the toxic chemicals, primarily iron, limestone, pyrite and zinc that are released into the air by the dozens of lead smelting sites around the world. Lead smelting uses furnaces and other chemical agents to remove impurity from lead ores. Lead Smelting puts approximately 2.5 million people at risk at 70 polluted lead smelting sites worldwide, according to Blacksmith Institute.

6. Pesticides Pollution from Agriculture and Storage

Pesticides are substances necessary for agriculture to destroy targeted pests. An approximate 2 million metric tonnes of pesticides are used annually on fields. As a result, millions of tons of pesticides are dumped every year on our fields. Unfortunately, the health effects pesticides have on us are disastrous, from simple skin irritation to hurting to nervous system to even causing cancer.

Apart from this, stockpiles of old and outdated pesticides add to the trouble. Most of the farmers are illiterate and use expired products. An estimated six to nine million metric tonnes of such pesticides are improperly stored.

7. Arsenic in Groundwater

Arsenic in Ground Water is naturally occurring pollution problem that affects some 750,000 people, mostly in south Asia. Contaminated groundwater is still used by many people which can lead to cancer, blood vessel damage, abnormal heartbeat and some other ill effects.

8. Industrial Wastewater

Wastewater is water that has been harmfully affected by outside influence and that flows from an open drain. Waste water may or may not be affected by any of the following, but certainly not limited to, batteries, smelting, toxins, organic particles, pathogens, methane and carbon dioxide. This water ends up in the environment where it is much more harmful to humans than irrigation water.

9. Chromium Pollution (Dye Industry)

Believe it or not, the dye industry actually contains numerous health hazards. Dye is used to add color to material, but the additions they have to pollution are more than noticeable. While chromium, which is used in dye, is critical to the human diet and generally speaking causes no damage to the human body, Cr IV Chromium is dangerous and highly toxic, enough to cause death in humans.

10. Chromium Pollution (Tanneries)

Chromium is primarily used to turn animal hides into leather for consumers, in places called tanneries, which are primarily centered in South-East Asia. Such tanneries are still operating with little control and produce daily 7.7 million litres of waste water and 88 million tons of solid waste. Again, Cr IV is dangerous and can cause health problems as in respiratory and heart failure and cancer in the brain and kidneys.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels were formed millions of years ago when plants, animals and other creatures died and buried under the earth. Their remains gradually changed over the years due to heat and pressure in the earth’s crust and formed to coal, oil and gas. These are the 3 major forms of fossil fuels and were formed from the organic remains of plants and animals. Since, they took million of years to form, that’s why they are also called as non-renewable energy sources. This means that they cannot be used again once they are expired. Over several years, these decomposed plants and animals were converted into black rock substance called coal and thick liquid called oil or petroleum, and natural gas.

Substances that release energy when burnt are called fuels, and the process of burning is called combustion. Heat is the process that makes the release of energy possible when combustion takes place. A fuel may be a solid, a liquid or a gas and the energy from it may be used either directly, as in warming a house, or indirectly under a boiler to make steam for driving an engine. Sometimes the fuel is burn in the engine.

Much of the fuel used in the world is coal. Coal can be used in lumps or ground to powder and taken through pipes to the furnace as is sometimes done in factory and power station boilers. Wood is important in countries without coal. Charcoal is wood that has been charred by heating in an oven without air and is sometimes used for cooking because it is smokeless. Peat is partly formed coal dug out of bogs and marshes. It burns rather like wood but gives more energy. When it burns, it leads to air pollution which is one of the major disadvantage of fossil fuels.

Formation of fossil fuels took millions of years but they disappear within seconds. They are being extracted from all over the world. Coal is one the fossil fuels that is used extensively in the production of electricity. Oil is used to power our vehicles. We all use fossil fuels in our daily in some or other way. like every other thing, fossil fuels too have negative effect on our environment. Carbon dioxide is on the by product of fossil fuels. When burnt they release carbon dioxide and some other gases. Carbon dioxide is one the primary reason for formation of global warming. We are polluting our environment by extracting these fossil fuels and burning them at fast pace. They can’t be utilized again as they are non-renewable. The solution to the above problems is using renewable energy sources including solar, wind and geothermal.

Examples of Fossil Fuels

Petroleum

The most important fossil fuel comes from petroleum, which is natural oil found underground. It is not much used in its natural state but made into fuels such as petrol, paraffin, kerosene, vaporizing oil and diesel oil. These are obtained through the process called distillation. Benzole is a liquid fuel like petrol obtained when is made into gas. The fuel called natural gas, often found where there is petroleum, is a compound of hydrogen and carbon known as methane.A fuel cell combine hydrogen with oxygen in a way that converts the chemical reaction is the same as if there were combustion. Petroleum is one of the most commonly used fossil fuels. The word means “rock oil”. Petroleum and its products are of great use in today’s life. These products include motor fuels, kerosene, diesel oil, wax etc. petrol, of course is used in motor cars. Kerosene is used in oil lamps, farm tractors, jet engine aircraft etc. In villages, kerosene has a very important usage. Diesel oil is used in diesel engine buses, tractors, Lorries, ships and many more vehicles use it. Lubricants are also made from the by-products of petroleum. This is needed to make machinery of any kind run smoothly and easily. Bitumen is used in asphalt and for waterproofing

Effect of Petroleum: The toxicity of petroleum which contributes to air pollution, acid rain, and various illnesses in humans.Petroleum also fuels climate change, due to the increased greenhouse gas emissions in its extraction, refinement, transport and consumption phases.

What are the health effects of exposure to petroleum products?

Health effects from exposure to petroleum products vary depending on the concentration of the substance and the length of time that one is exposed. Breathing petroleum vapors can cause nervous system effects (such as headache, nausea, and dizziness) and respiratory irritation. Very high exposure can cause coma and death. Liquid petroleum products which come in contact with the skin can cause irritation and some can be absorbed through the skin. Chronic exposure to petroleum products may affect the nervous system, blood and kidneys. Gasoline contains small amounts of benzene, a known human carcinogen. Animals exposed to high levels of some petroleum products have developed liver and kidney tumors. Whether specific petroleum products can cause cancer in humans is not known; however, there is evidence that occupationally exposed people in the petroleum refining industry have an increased risk of skin cancer and leukemia.

A spill that affects a home or business may affect the health of people who live and work there. Thus, every spill or leak should be stopped and cleaned up. Health complaints should be taken seriously.

Individuals who experience health problems that may be related to a petroleum spill should see their family physician or health care provider. Some individuals are more sensitive to petroleum odors and to the effects of exposure than others. The county health department or state health department may be able to help provide additional health information to affected individuals and their doctors.

In situations where the indoor air environment has become contaminated to the extent that strong odors are present or air monitoring indicates serious contamination, homeowners, businesses, and tenants may be advised to relocate until the cleanup is completed. Generally, a DEC inspector or a county health department assessor determine whether relocation is recommended. People, including residential tenants who may not be legally responsible for the spill, can request relocation financial assistance from the Fund to cover reasonable expenses for lodging and meals. The county health department should be contacted for relocation assistance. Concerns about possible exposure via soil or water contamination should also be directed to the county health department (See attached list of county health department contacts).

Prevention of Petroleum Pollution

Why Reduce Petroleum Consumption?

There are health, environmental, and political reasons to reduce petroleum consumption. Sources of health risks from petroleum include pesticides in food, nitrates in groundwater from petroleum-based fertilizers, chemicals leaching from plastics, and MTBE leaking from gasoline storage tanks. The problems of plastics include extreme pollution from production, toxic chemical exposure during use, hazards from fires, and their contribution to the world’s growing solid waste crisis. One category of chemicals used in plastic production, especially PVC and vinyl, is called organochlorines, which are resistant to breakdown and will remain in the environment for decades to come. Scientific studies reveal that these chemicals are linked to severe and widespread health problems, including infertility, immune system damage, impaired childhood development, hormone disruption, cancer and many other harmful effects. Environmental hazards of petroleum use include global climate change from burning petroleum products and oil spills that destroy natural habitats. Oil drilling is one of the main reasons that rainforests around the world are being destroyed. The political effects of petroleum use include manipulation of world markets by governments and large corporations at the expense of the poorest world citizens, and the waging of war in order to control the worlds shrinking oil reserves.

How can we reduce petroleum consumption?

The first step in reducing petroleum consumption is to understand what products are made from petroleum. Petroleum turns up in the ingredients list of more things than most people might be aware of. Here’s a partial list:

• Gasoline, Motor oil, kerosene, fuels, home heating oil
• Plastics (and synthetic rubber)
• Paint, paint thinners, lacquers, solvents, floor cleaners, hair spray, printing inks, asphalt
• Petroleum (or paraffin) wax used in candy making, packaging, candles, crayons, matches, and polishes
• Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) used in medical products and toiletries (lip gloss)
• Synthetic fibers like polyester
• Fertilizers, pesticides
• Petroleum coke used as a raw material for many carbon and graphite products, including furnace electrodes and liners, and the anodes used in the production of aluminum
• Petroleum is used in the generation of electricity (from fossil fuel power plants), and in the transportation of products to market

Once our awareness has been raised as to the problem of petroleum use and the products in which it is used, the solution does not seem all that easy. Since petroleum is directly or indirectly involved in producing almost everything, nothing less than overall simplification of our lives and buying less of everything is what’s required. The recycling slogan is brought to mind – “reduce, recycle, reuse”. We can begin by reducing the amount of energy we use by driving less, carpooling, turning down our thermostat, turning off lights when not in use, buying energy-efficient appliances, hanging laundry outside to dry, etc. We can buy food in bulk to reduce packaging, grow your own vegetables or buy them at a local farmer’s market to reduce transportation, and buy organic food to reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides that are used. Search out simplification and recycling ideas at the library and on the Internet, starting with the links included below.

Find alternatives to petroleum products

There currently exist many alternatives to petroleum and petroleum-based products. Many automobile producers are making electric or natural gas-powered cars. Several now have hybrid gas-electric cars that are marketed to general consumers. There also is a little-known alternative to diesel fuel called “bio-diesel”, which is made out of used vegetable oil and can be burned in diesel cars and in home oil burners. Alternative energy 

sources for home heating and electricity generation exist, such as photovoltaic, passive solar, wind turbines, and renewable fuels such as wood pellets and corn. Thanks to electrical deregulation, we can now choose an electricity supplier that provides “green” alternatives. Plastics can be made from substances other than oil – like corn or the hemp plant. Research such products and encourage legislators to support them. Here are some other ideas:

• Make a solar shower
• Use water-based latex paints
• Look for products based on beeswax or soy-based waxes
• Use glass, ceramic, metal, and cloth containers instead of plastic
• Buy drinks that come in glass containers

Again, information on these alternatives and more are available at your library and on the Internet. Maybe you’ll be inspired to create a clearinghouse of petroleum-reducing ideas for your community.

Natural Gas

Another important and widely used fossil fuel is natural gas. It is chiefly methane, sometimes known as marsh gas. Natural gas is normally found underground along with petroleum and coal but sometimes occur by it and are pumped out through pipelines. Once pumped out, they are transported to storage areas or for domestic use. It has been a source of domestic gas for many years. Many people use this gas to heat their homes. It contains a strong odor that makes it easy to smell if there is a leak. They produce comparatively little pollution as against other fuel sources. Since, they are in a liquid state, it is easy to transport them through pipelines. The main drawback of this fuel is that it is highly inflammable. The greatest producers of natural gas are United States of America and Russia.

Effect Natural Gas: Cleaner burning than other fossil fuels, the combustion of natural gas produces negligible amounts of sulfur, mercury, and particulates. Burning natural gas does produce nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are precursors to smog, but at lower levels than gasoline and diesel used for motor vehicles. Reductions in these emissions translate into public health benefits, as these pollutants have been linked with problems such as asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart disease for hundreds of thousands of Americans.

However, despite these benefits, unconventional gas development can affect local and regional air quality. Some areas where drilling occurs have experienced increases in concentrations of hazardous air pollutants and two of the six “criteria pollutants” — particulate matter and ozone plus its precursors — regulated by the EPA because of their harmful effects on health and the environment.Exposure to elevated levels of these air pollutants can lead to adverse health outcomes, including respiratory symptoms, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. One recent study found that residents living less than half a mile from unconventional gas well sites were at greater risk of health effects from air pollution from natural gas development than those living farther from the well sites 

Pollution from the Transportation Sector – Natural Gas Vehicles

The transportation sector (particularly cars, trucks, and buses) is one of the greatest contributors to air pollution.

Emissions from vehicles contribute to smog, low visibility, and various greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), about half of all air pollution and more than 80 percent of air pollution in cities are produced by cars and trucks.Currently, automobile manufacturers are under pressure to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles.

Natural gas can be used in the transportation sector to cut down on these high levels of pollution from gasoline and diesel powered cars, trucks, and buses. According to the EPA, compared to traditional vehicles, vehicles operating on compressed natural gas have reductions in carbon monoxide emissions of 90 to 97 percent, and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of 25 percent. Nitrogen oxide emissions can be reduced by 35 to 60 percent, and other non-methane hydrocarbon emissions could be reduced by as much as 50 to 75 percent. In addition, because of the relatively simple makeup of natural gas in comparison to traditional vehicle fuels, there are fewer toxic and carcinogenic emissions from natural gas vehicles, and virtually no particulate emissions. Thus the environmentally friendly attributes of natural gas may be used in the transportation sector to reduce air pollution.

Natural gas vehicles represent a growing segment of the transportation sector.  According to the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, the use of natural gas for vehicles doubled between 2003 and 2009.  Over 100,000 natural gas vehicles are currently on US roads.  A large portion of those vehicles are transit buses, which account for nearly 62 percent of all natural gas vehicles.

Natural gas is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, and thus its many applications can serve to decrease harmful pollution levels from all sectors, particularly when used together with or replacing other fossil fuels. The natural gas industry itself is also committed to ensuring that the process of producing natural gas is as environmentally-friendly as possible. The Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition has more information regarding natural gas-powered vehicles.

Health effects

While exposure to low levels of natural gas is not harmful, long-term exposure can affect your health. Burning natural gas produces nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and methane. These chemicals can trigger respiratory problems, depression, and decrease the quality of your health. Talk to your doctor if you believe the gas leak is affecting your health

symptoms are due to a gas leak

Gas leaks change the amount of oxygen available. As you breathe in less oxygen, you may start to develop symptoms. If you or others in your family experience sudden and unexplained symptoms, there could be a gas leak in your home.

Here are the symptoms you should look for:

1. headache
2. dizziness
3. nausea
4. eye and throat irritation
5. fatigue
6. breathing problems
7. pale skin or blisters, which only occur if skin comes in contact with compressed or liquid gas

Four steps to reduce natural gas leaks

1. Improved monitoring technology and science

We are working with scientists, utilities and technology providers to validate new mobile monitoring equipment and develop new scientific methods to translate the data gathered into actionable information. As part of this project, EDF is analyzing methane data collected from specially-equipped Google Street View cars and publishing maps that show both leak location and relative leak size.

2. Better data means better, safer systems

More precise and frequent data on the location and relative size of methane leaks will enable gas companies and regulators to better prioritize repairs and infrastructure improvements . This information will also take what has traditionally been a safety issue for utilities and broaden the focus to include not only safety, but also the environmental- and climate-consequences of methane leaks.

By making this information more easily available, gas companies, the public and government officials can better understand the scale of the problem and tackle the problem of how to fix leaks and infrastructure more rapidly and more permanently.

Four steps to reduce natural gas leaks

1. Improved monitoring technology and science

We are working with scientists, utilities and technology providers to validate new mobile monitoring equipment and develop new scientific methods to translate the data gathered into actionable information. As part of this project, EDF is analyzing methane data collected from specially-equipped Google Street View cars and publishing maps that show both leak location and relative leak size.

2. Better data means better, safer systems

More precise and frequent data on the location and relative size of methane leaks will enable gas companies and regulators to better prioritize repairs and infrastructure improvements . This information will also take what has traditionally been a safety issue for utilities and broaden the focus to include not only safety, but also the environmental- and climate-consequences of methane leaks.

By making this information more easily available, gas companies, the public and government officials can better understand the scale of the problem and tackle the problem of how to fix leaks and infrastructure more rapidly and more permanently.

3. Leak reduction goals

Setting performance goals is important for achieving any objective. That’s why we’re asking gas companies, public utility commissions and other state officials to review current leak repair criteria and establish voluntary reduction targets for those leaks that are not already regulated by state or federal requirements, and to accelerate repair for those leaks that are.

We’re also recommending that companies set these goals over a three-year period — which will bring both necessary attention and resources to this environmental threat — and urging them to publicly report their progress each year, along with any unexpected challenges or opportunities.

The American Gas Association, the trade group representing natural gas utilities, has approved voluntary guidelines that may lead to further emissions reductions.

4. Stronger statutory and regulatory requirements

A great deal of progress can be achieved on a strictly voluntary basis. There are programs in a majority of states to facilitate accelerated risk-based replacement of pipelines in the natural gas distribution system. But stronger legal and regulatory requirements to reduce methane emissions from local distribution systems will ensure more rapid reductions in methane gas released into the environment.

Working together with utilities, state and federal government officials, trade associations and the public, we can strengthen the requirements related to the frequency of methane leak inspections; prioritization and timing of leak repairs; upgrade of mechanical fittings and aging pipelines; and reporting of information to the public.

Securing the financial, technical and human resources necessary to achieve this accelerated pace will be key to achieving this solution.

Coal

Another very important fossil fuel is coal. It is the poor man’s petrol. It has been formed by the deposition of vegetative remains for thousands of years. The fossilized form of the decayed plants and other vegetation has formed coal. Coal is hard black rock solid like substance that need to be dug as compared to oil and natural gas that need to be pumped out. There are huge coal reserved all around the world and it’s easier to find coal then oil or gas.

It is made up of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and sulphur. There are various methods to dig coal from underground. One of the most popular method is to build a horizontal shaft like system and coal miners travel via lifts or trains to dig the coal deep underground. In United States, coal still produces more than 50% of electricity. Once dug, coal is then shipped to coal power stations by trucks or trains. Coal power stations require huge reserves of coal to generate electricity on a constant basis.

https://youtu.be/SeXG8K5_UvU

Effects of Coal Mining

Coal is a fossil fuel that’s burned to generate electricity and heat, or liquefied to produce gas and diesel fuel. Coal begins as plant matter that’s trapped underground for centuries, and over time becomes petrified due to lack of exposure to air. What results is a useful but highly controversial rock that, while valuable to human energy production, is nevertheless difficult, expensive and dangerous to obtain — with high costs to the environment and human health. There is much debate whether the environmental effects of coal mining justify its continued use.

Coal and Air Pollution. Air pollution from coal-fired power plants is linked with asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, acid rain, global warming, and other severe environmental and public health impacts.

Coal is either extracted from deep inside the earth or removed from its surface. The former is known as underground mining, the latter as strip mining or mountaintop removal. Either process contributes a high level of damage to the environment:

1 Climate Change:High levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released during the mining process, contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer. Carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas, is released in the combustion (burning) process, when coal is used to fuel electric generators and steam engines. As a result, global warming is probably one of the most significant and widely-felt environmental effects of coal mining.

2 Radiation:Coal contains trace elements of radium and uranium, which, when released into the environment, can lead to radioactive contamination. While it’s true that these elements occur in small amounts, enough coal is routinely burned at coal processing plants to produce dangerous levels of radioactive waste.

3 Acid Rain:Possibly one of the scariest environmental effects of coal mining is the threat of acid rain. The high acidity of AMD remains in the water supply even through evaporation and condensation, which enables it to stay in the atmosphere and eventually return in the form of “acid rain,” thus perpetuating the cycle of pollution.

4 Toxicity:Coal and coal waste contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic, which are highly toxic both to plant and animal life.

5.Fires:Since coal is combustible, the threat of fire is another example of the environmental effects of coal mining. If a fire occurs in a coal bed, it can last for years or even decades, potentially spreading and releasing noxious fumes into the surrounding community.

6 Air Pollution:Coal dust, in addition to being dirty and unpleasant smelling, is dangerous if inhaled over an extensive period of time. People with prolonged exposure to coal dust are at high risk of contracting “Black lung disease,” which left untreated can lead to lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and heart failure.

7 Water Pollution:Highly acidic runoff from coal stocks and handling facilities, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), infiltrates waterways, contaminating local water supply and affecting the PH balance in the surrounding lakes and streams.

8 Flooding:Coal mining and preparation generates millions of gallons of highly toxic, semi-solid waste called “slurry.” To contain the slurry, dams are often built in between the mountains from where the coal is being mined. There are several documented instances in which slurry dams have failed, resulting in deadly floods and ensuing environmental disaster.

9 Topographical Alteration:Coal mining irreparably damages plant life and soil, creating barren patches of land that are not only aesthetically unpleasing but contribute to loss of valuable topsoil, erosion and dust storms.

10 Sink Holes:Another environmental effect of coal mining is “mine subsidence” — the earth sinking as a result of a disturbance to its foundation. This occurs when the coal deep below our planet’s surface is removed from its bed.

11 Loss Of Wildlife:Coal mining requires a large expanse of territory. When a mining operation moves in, it invades and destroys sizable ranges of wilderness area, displacing the native fauna and removing habitat and food sources. This eventually results in an imbalanced ecosystem — and even the endangerment or extinction of entire species.

12.Noise pollution: One of the most obvious (albeit perhaps least harmful) environmental effects of coal mining is noise pollution. Coal mining is a loud, day- and night-long process that disrupts the lives of those in the surrounding communities, reduces the quality of life and can go on for decades.

Effects of Coal Mining

Coal is a fossil fuel that’s burned to generate electricity and heat, or liquefied to produce gas and diesel fuel. Coal begins as plant matter that’s trapped underground for centuries, and over time becomes petrified due to lack of exposure to air. What results is a useful but highly controversial rock that, while valuable to human energy production, is nevertheless difficult, expensive and dangerous to obtain — with high costs to the environment and human health. There is much debate whether the environmental effects of coal mining justify its continued use.

Coal and Air Pollution. Air pollution from coal-fired power plants is linked with asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, acid rain, global warming, and other severe environmental and public health impacts.

Coal is either extracted from deep inside the earth or removed from its surface. The former is known as underground mining, the latter as strip mining or mountaintop removal. Either process contributes a high level of damage to the environment:

1 Climate Change:High levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released during the mining process, contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer. Carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas, is released in the combustion (burning) process, when coal is used to fuel electric generators and steam engines. As a result, global warming is probably one of the most significant and widely-felt environmental effects of coal mining.

2 Radiation:Coal contains trace elements of radium and uranium, which, when released into the environment, can lead to radioactive contamination. While it’s true that these elements occur in small amounts, enough coal is routinely burned at coal processing plants to produce dangerous levels of radioactive waste.

3 Acid Rain:Possibly one of the scariest environmental effects of coal mining is the threat of acid rain. The high acidity of AMD remains in the water supply even through evaporation and condensation, which enables it to stay in the atmosphere and eventually return in the form of “acid rain,” thus perpetuating the cycle of pollution.

4 Toxicity:Coal and coal waste contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic, which are highly toxic both to plant and animal life.

5.Fires:Since coal is combustible, the threat of fire is another example of the environmental effects of coal mining. If a fire occurs in a coal bed, it can last for years or even decades, potentially spreading and releasing noxious fumes into the surrounding community.

6 Air Pollution:Coal dust, in addition to being dirty and unpleasant smelling, is dangerous if inhaled over an extensive period of time. People with prolonged exposure to coal dust are at high risk of contracting “Black lung disease,” which left untreated can lead to lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and heart failure.

7 Water Pollution:Highly acidic runoff from coal stocks and handling facilities, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), infiltrates waterways, contaminating local water supply and affecting the PH balance in the surrounding lakes and streams.

8 Flooding:Coal mining and preparation generates millions of gallons of highly toxic, semi-solid waste called “slurry.” To contain the slurry, dams are often built in between the mountains from where the coal is being mined. There are several documented instances in which slurry dams have failed, resulting in deadly floods and ensuing environmental disaster.

9 Topographical Alteration:Coal mining irreparably damages plant life and soil, creating barren patches of land that are not only aesthetically unpleasing but contribute to loss of valuable topsoil, erosion and dust storms.

10 Sink Holes:Another environmental effect of coal mining is “mine subsidence” — the earth sinking as a result of a disturbance to its foundation. This occurs when the coal deep below our planet’s surface is removed from its bed.

11 Loss Of Wildlife:Coal mining requires a large expanse of territory. When a mining operation moves in, it invades and destroys sizable ranges of wilderness area, displacing the native fauna and removing habitat and food sources. This eventually results in an imbalanced ecosystem — and even the endangerment or extinction of entire species.

12.Noise pollution: One of the most obvious (albeit perhaps least harmful) environmental effects of coal mining is noise pollution. Coal mining is a loud, day- and night-long process that disrupts the lives of those in the surrounding communities, reduces the quality of life and can go on for decades.

Reducing the environmental effects of coal use

The Clean Air Act and The Clean Water Act require industries to reduce pollutants released into the air and water.

The coal industry has found several ways to reduce sulfur and other impurities from coal. The industry has also found more effective ways of cleaning coal after it is mined, and some coal consumers use low sulfur coal.

Power plants use flue gas desulfurization equipment, also known as scrubbers, to clean sulfur from the smoke before it leaves their smokestacks. In addition, the coal industry and the U.S. government have cooperated to develop technologies that can remove impurities from coal or that can make coal more energy efficient, which reduces the amount of coal that is burned per unit of useful energy produced.

Equipment intended mainly to reduce SO2, NOx, and particulate matter can also be used to reduce mercury emissions from some types of coal. Scientists are also working on new ways to reduce mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants.

Research is underway to address emissions of carbon dioxide from coal combustion. One method is carbon capture, which separates CO2 from emissions sources and recovers it in a concentrated stream. The CO2 can then be injected underground for permanent storage, or sequestration.

Reuse and recycling can also reduce the environmental effects of coal production and use. Land that was previously used for coal mining can be reclaimed and used for airports, landfills, and golf courses. Waste products captured by scrubbers can be used to produce products such as cement and synthetic gypsum for wallboard.

Summary

Fossil fuels have been serving as the source of energy for almost all practical purpose of today’s life. They are inevitable in all domestic purposes like cooking, transportation and have many other advantages. However, these are all non-renewable sources of energy. This means there is a limited stock of this fossil fuel. With the increase in population and consequently their consumption, the stock of fossil fuel seems to be approaching its end

Every year millions of tonnes of coal and gallons of oil is used to extract energy from them. The extraction process is done by burning these fossil fuels. Due to the combustion of these fuels, the environment gets highly polluted. The constituents of fossil fuels are sulphur and nitrogen. They are produced in their oxide forms and cause the pollution. This led to the global warming and extinction of these precious resources. Another effect of this is that when coal is dug from the coal mines, it affects the surrounding ecosystem and pose serious hazard to the health of mine workers. However, they are still popular as they are cheaper than any other alternative sources of energy.

Advantages of Fossil Fuels

Cheap source of energy

Statistically, fossil fuels are some of the cheapest sources of fuel on the planet. Although the process of extraction and refinement is relatively expensive, the return on investment is pretty remarkable. Today, innovative technologies are available that can extract fossil fuels with high degree of efficiency, substantially reducing the overall cost. In fact in the modern day, extraction of fossil fuels is cheaper than installing wind and solar technologies.

Safe to transport

Because fossil fuels are safe and stable, they can be transported easily and efficiently over long distances. They can be transported on large trucks or pumped through large pipes below and above the ground. We all know that these transportation methods are not costly. However, the same cannot be said about the nerve-racking nuclear energy. Every stage of its development is risky, making it the most unsafe form of energy to handle or transport.

Massive economic benefits

It’s a no-brainer that fossil fuels mightily contribute to a country’s prosperity. If you look at the economies of oil and gas producing countries, you will see a common trend; economic prosperity. Government subsidies to oil firms range in billions of dollars, and the contribution to the growth of a country are more than convincing. If you start considering how many countries across the world greatly rely on fossil fuels, the number of industries powered by them and the number of products that would not be available right now without them, you begin to understand just how fossil fuels have permeated our day-to-day life.

Completely stable

Fossils fuels contain carbon and hydrogen molecules, making them highly stable. The constant state of their molecular composition also makes them easy to store. They don’t form other compounds when stored in cans for longer periods. This is also the reason why transporting them is a lot easier and safer than other kinds of fuel.

Useful by product

Typically, the byproducts of fossil fuels do not stir enthusiasm. What most people do not comprehend is that plastics are handy byproducts of fossil fuels. They might not be good for the environment, but they are useful and cheap. Plastics are also used in medical equipment and computers.

Reliable

Fossil fuels have been relied upon since the industrial revolution. Other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind rely on the current climatic conditions to produce electricity. If the sun is not shining, production of electricity stops. Also, the velocity of wind affects production of electricity. Fossil fuels guarantee reliable supply of electricity.

High calorific value

Calorific value is the amount of energy contained in any fuel. Calorific value is ascertained by measuring the amount of heat produced by the total combustion of a given quantity of it. Calorific value is typically expressed in joules per kilogram. All energy produced on earth has a particular calorific value. The higher the value, the more effective the fuel is. Fossil fuels have the highest calorific value of any fuel. This explains why they are still dominant to renewable and other alternative energy sources.

Abundant

The fact that fossil fuels are able to satisfy the needs of the world population means they are bountiful in supply. Fossil fuels are found in almost every country in the world. This aspect gives governments a piece of mind knowing that they will not deplete in the near future. With technology traveling at breakneck speeds, extraction and refinery procedures have also scaled up, making the availability of fossil fuels even greater.

Creates jobs

There is no doubt that fossil fuels have created numerous jobs in the fields of finance, administration, and construction. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy, traditional energy sector employs about 6.4 million Americans today. This demonstrates that fossil fuel energy sector is a solid source of employment.

Easy Set Up

Since they are widely available, the construction of fossil fuel power plant can take anywhere in the world as long as they get large quantities of fossil fuels to feed them. They are easier to extract and process and are capable to produce large amount of energy at a single location.

Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable

Nonrenewable energy sources are destined to deplete in the near future. Fossil fuels do not qualify as renewable energy resources because their supply is limited. In fact, they are projected to run out in the next 50 years. Also, formation of fossil fuels takes years, which means when they deplete, we may have to wait for another 60 years or so for new ones to form.

Environmental Hazards

Environmental pollution is one of the major disadvantage of fossil fuels. It is a known fact that carbon dioxide, gas released when fossil fuels are burnt, is one of the primary gas responsible for global warming. Rise in temperature of earth has resulted in melting of polar ice caps, flooding of low lying areas and rise in sea levels. If such conditions continue, our planet Earth might face some serious consequences in near future.

Accidents can be disastrous

Unlike renewable energy resources like solar and wind, accidents involving fossil fuels are highly dangerous and can cause massive damage. Oil spills have occurred in the past, especially in the United States. Oil spills lead to pollution of water bodies and death of aquatic animals including those living offshore. Also, the environment around the shore is severely devastated.

Effect on Human Health

Emissions of greenhouse gasses and other toxic elements as a result of fossil fuel combustion can cause serious health complications. Fossil fuels are not at all environment friendly. Burning of fossil fuels result in pollution and can cause serious environmental concerns. Pollution-related diseases kill millions of children a year. According to WHO, 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution. High levels of air pollution can adversely affect your lungs( low lung functioning), trigger asthma, chronic bronchitis and cardiovascular diseases. People who live in areas with a large amount of traffic are at high risk.

Price fluctuations

Fossil fuels are highly susceptible to price fluctuations and market manipulation. This aspect is greatly felt by developing countries that heavily rely on importation of fossil fuels. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, massive price fluctuations and price manipulations by oil producing countries in the middle east cost the economy about 1.9 trillion between 2004 and 2008 alone. Advances in renewable energy technologies have minimized these price fluctuations and manipulations to a greater degree.

Overdependence

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than half of the oil consumed in the United States is imported. This overdependence on foreign oil is a security threat to the United States. Nations can use this over reliance as a political leverage, putting the country’s interests in grave danger.

Need Huge Amount of Reserves

Power stations are where power comes from – coal is burned and energy is generated. However, for these power stations to keep working, they require huge amounts of coal to be brought in every single day. Truckloads of fuel, trainloads of fuel need to be shipped into power stations very regularly in order to keep up the level of energy that is required by all those houses, hospitals and shops relying on the power from these fossil fueled power stations.

This means that either power stations need to be built very close to large deposits of coal, or that the coal needs to be shipped miles away to the nearest power station, which requires more power and ends up damaging the Earth even more. These methods of generating electricity can, therefore, be incredibly expensive, and the prices are due to keep on rising as the fuel shortage worsens.This is needed as many countries are still dependent on coal as a major source for producing power.

Finite Energy Source

Fossil fuels are a finite energy resource. Unlike sunlight, water or wind energy, fossil fuels cannot be renewed: the amount of fossil fuels in the earth’s crust today are all that we are ever going to get (at least until another several hundred million years pass and even more organic matter decays and decomposes). This means that, once the gas, coal and petroleum reserves have been completely used up, there is nothing more left.

Unfortunately this also means that we will not be able to use our cars any more as we have not yet found a suitable method to run cars that works as efficiently as petroleum or that is not dangerous.

Impact on Aquatic Life by Oil Spill

 Once again, fossil fuels can damage the environment, this time in the form of oil spills. Fossil fuels are needed in huge reserves wherever their plants are set up. This requires them to be transported to the desired location via truck, train, ship or airplane. Often we hear of some leaks in oil tankers or ship getting drowned deep under the sea that were carrying crude oil to get refined. The impact of this is that crude oil contains some toxic substances which when mixed up with water poses serious this impact is disastrous not only for the sea and land but for the animals that live off of it. Birds can get coated in the oil and be unable to fly, fish can choke and other animals, such as seals or penguins, can ingest this deadly fuel when they try to clean it off themselves. Oil spills do not occur often, but when they do they can kill hundreds if not thousands of animals. Transportation of crude oil via sea can cause oil spill which can pose hazard to the aquatic life by lessening the oxygen content of water.

Technologies to get more out of the earth are progressing, but they don’t seem to be doing it as quickly as our demand is growing. In addition, while coal is much more abundant than oil, extraction of coal can be very unsafe, and is damaging to the environment on a large scale, causing erosion, acidification of the environment, and destruction of wild lands. Though the fossil fuels meet our energy and fuel needs, still it’s a high time to look forward for the alternative renewable sources of energy such as wind turbines, solar panels, tidal generators and compost. As said by a great man, there is enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed.

Rising Cost: Few middle-east countries in this world hold surplus amount of fossil fuels and are responsible for 40 percent of the world’s oil production. The rest of the world depend on these countries to fulfill the gap between demand and supply in their own countries. Lower output, fear of war, strikes by trade unions can result in worldwide price fluctuations.

Health of Coal-mining Workers: Foraging for coal in coal mines, for instance, can be very dangerous, since the dust that coats people who go down to get coal can get ingested and seriously compromise someone’s health. Mining for coal as well as drilling for oil can cost as many as hundreds of peoples’ lives every single year. We may need to find an energy source that is safer in the future.

Fossil fuels have a number of different pros and cons. Unfortunately, the biggest disadvantage to burning fossil fuels for energy is the fact that it is so damaging to the environment. However, luckily more and more effort is being put into finding alternative sources of energy such as renewable sources like sunlight and wind, which means that we should soon not have to rely on fossil fuels any longer.

30 Practical Ways To Cut Fuel And Energy Use And Allow The Natural Environment To Grow Again

1.Do not idle – Long idling without turning off the car’s engine leads to the unnecessary and prolonged burning of fuel.

2. Get rid of unnecessary weight – Carrying extra cargo, particularly that which is not needed in transit, leads to the burning of more fuel.
3. Ensure regular maintenance of your vehicle – Variable components of your vehicle, not properly aligned during prolonged use, also leads to unnecessary excess fuel usage. Proper maintenance curbs this.
4. Make sure that tires are inflated at correct temperatures – Underinflated tires, for instance, reduces the economic use of fuel.
5. Fill up during coolest parts of the day – Gasoline is densest during these times.
6. Drive in cruise control on busy networks – This will help eliminate unnecessary accelerations and/or decelerations which negatively impact the vehicle’s fuel economy.
7. Always drive at designated speed limits – These legislated limits serve two purposes. They help save lives. And by default, adhering to designated speed limits positively contribute to fuel economy.
8. Communicate with fellow-drivers about fuel consumption awareness – The more that is known about the importance of saving fuel to help reduce carbon footprints that are going to help save the environment, the better chance there is in creating a cleaner and greener environment which is safer and pleasant for all living within it.
9. Use air conditioners sparingly – This is a luxury which can be discarded at the switch of a button. Only use air conditioners for its specific purposes, i.e. to cool both driver and passengers during days when temperatures are extremely high.
10. Park your vehicle in the shade – This can be linked to the use of air conditioners which no longer need to work as hard to produce cooling. It also helps to promote fuel efficiency because less gas will evaporate than when the vehicle is out in the sun.

11. Make full use of carpools – These serve multiple purposes and produce more than one benefit. It promotes social interactivity and helps reduce carbon footprint. There are less vehicles on the road during peak hours. It is also a great way to save expenditure on fuel.
12. Buy an energy-efficient vehicle – All leading manufacturers produce these alternatives and provide the vital information that shows evidence of its efficiency capabilities.
13. Think seriously about investing in an electric or hybrid vehicle – This is a better alternative but remains contentiously out of the range of most consumers who are constrained by their budgets. Include this mode of transport in your future long-term growth strategies.
14. Become fully aware of traffic conditions – Radio traffic reports are regularly supplied, so there is no excuse for avoiding traffic bottlenecks. Also, make full use of your GPS if you have this.
15. Drive sensibly and not aggressively – Sensible driving as opposed to the aggressive behavior drastically improves fuel efficiency. Aggressive driving leads to excessive use of fuel anyway.
16. Avoid uphill speeding – Uphill speeding is counterproductive and entirely unnecessary. The vehicle is already working at capacity to overcome steep gradients, so no amount of additional speed will make a difference.
17. Make use of public transport networks – This is still better than the carpool. There are even less cars on the road. Carbon footprints are reduced still further.
18. Cycle instead of driving – Still better, not only is no fuel or energy being used, you are becoming healthier.
19. Walk instead of cycling – Cycling is still traffic, so if your distance is reasonably short, it would be better to walk.
20. Plan your route before leaving: Before leaving from home or office, plan you route. Try to avoid heavy traffic areas or routes where construction is going on. Save money by not burning extra fuel and do your part in saving the environment.

21. Change Filters: Check your filters regularly – especially if you live in a dusty area. Clean filters help to keep cars running more fuel efficiently.
22. Turn off the engine: If you’re waiting on along and busy traffic light or waiting at a railway crossing or waiting for your friend outside his/her home, it’s better to turn off the engine and save some gas. Just keeping you car’s engine running even if it is not required, is nothing but sheer waste of money and increases your carbon footprint on the environment. Try to be environment-friendly and loop in your friends, relatives and colleagues and inspire them to do same so.
23. Work from home: If your company offers work from home facility, just avail it. It will not only reduce the amount of money you have to spend every day on gasoline but will also save the time you will spend on traveling.
24. Drive less: Drive less, whenever wherever possible. One of the way to drive less is to use your feet to move around that will help you save few bucks and also help you to get in shape. If you have to cross long distance, try walking or riding your bike rather than hopping in the car. Alternatively, look for public mode of transportation like bus or tube to get around the city. Not only it will help you save fuel but you can use that time to listen to your favorite music or read novel while traveling.
25. Clean out your trunk: Remove unnecessary items from your car that is just of no use. It won’t only make your drive pleasant but will also improve your gas mileage. Removing 100 pounds (45.4 kilograms) of weight from your car gives it a fuel economy boost of 1 to 2 percent.

Air Pollution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYSAPwQwMTk

Clear air for children report: “Reducing fossil fuel emissions matters for children’s health”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l7AmnIljTg

How Burning Fossil Fuels Leads to Climate Change

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBLQUplzZZo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJWq1FeGpCw

What If We Stopped Burning Fossil Fuels RIght Now?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2aShVTMMNc

Fossil Fuel Usage: And the Effects of It

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqmtLmmuQhw

Greenhouse Effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_sJzVe9P_8