Many people overlook how amazing it is that our society has reached its current levels of convenience. Countless everyday objects are equipped with computer chips, and it’s possible to receive items at your doorstep just a few hours after you order them.
With these innovations comes a sacrifice, though, and the environment is paying the price. Manufacturing popular goods drastically increases carbon emissions and has a substantial carbon footprint.
Understanding the environmental impacts of fossil fuels goes a long way toward helping you find sustainable alternatives. Let’s explore the key information you need to keep in mind.
What Are Fossil Fuels?
This term is used to encompass natural gas, crude oil, and coal. These substances are formed from buried, fossilized remains of animals and plants that were alive millions of years ago.
They have a notably high amount of carbon that can be used to produce energy. Let’s look at them in detail.
Natural Gas
This substance consists primarily of methane. It’s located primarily in permeable or porous rock beds. It’s also sometimes mixed into oil reservoirs that can be accessed through drilling.
Crude Oil
Also known as petroleum, crude oil is a liquid fossil fuel that consists mostly of hydrocarbons (compounds made of hydrogen and carbon). Oil is one of the largest contributors to atmospheric pollution.
As a result, electric-powered vehicles are seeing more popularity. This both reduces environmental impact and appeals to a demographic that emphasizes sustainability.
Coal
There are four primary types of coal: anthracite, bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite. Most coal used in the United States is either bituminous or sub-bituminous.
It’s most commonly found in Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. The most common use for coal is for electricity generation.
Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels
While fossil fuels have much utility, they also have a strong environmental impact. These strongly outweigh the benefits they provide in most scenarios. Let’s look at these more closely.
Land Degradation
When fossil fuels are harvested, they substantially damage the surrounding land. Strip mining is particularly harmful, as it destroys large segments of terrain at once.
Entire forests are damaged, and even mountaintops can be blasted away during the process. The segments of the land that survive will wither away since they won’t have as robust of a supply of nutrients.
Land degradation also disrupts entire ecosystems and causes animals to migrate, which can sometimes introduce predators to new areas. This causes a chain reaction that can further damage additional ecosystems in a wider radius.
Water Pollution
Gas, oil, and coal usage creates harmful runoff that pollutes waterways and groundwater. Coal mining operations, in particular, severely pollute rivers, lakes, and streams. Wastewater is generally full of heavy metals that can cause health issues for local wildlife.
In some cases, radioactive materials can make their way into the surrounding water. If pollutants contaminate aquifers, they could spread exponentially. Some of the most egregious risks of water pollution are cancer, birth defects, and neurological damage.
Emissions
Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause a large number of health issues. These are similar to the ones imposed by water pollution. Fracking contributes to harmful emissions the most, and there’s much legislative concern about it.
Strip mining is also a major factor at play. It’s worth noting that emissions in certain regions are worse than in others. Cities like Beijing and Los Angeles have so much air pollution that it impacts visibility. It can also exacerbate health issues like asthma.
Contribution to Global Warming
Burning fossil fuels directly contributes to global warming. They achieve this by producing large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Global warming threatens to increase sea levels and reshape natural environments, causing mass migration. For instance, sea levels rising by only a few inches could displace millions of people.
It could also force animals into new habitats where they clash with existing wildlife. If this leads to extinction or endangerment, thousands of other species could be affected.
Common Alternatives
There’s no shortage of alternatives to fossil fuels that you can leverage. Understanding the options available can help you make the most appropriate decision. Let’s explore the most notable below.
Solar Energy
This is one of the best ways to wean off fossil fuels. Using solar panels can also help you save a substantial amount of money, as well. This is especially useful for homeowners.
In some cases, you can save over $1,000 per year on your utility costs. When looking to get started, top-rated solar panel installation services in Indiana. Check their reputation online to see what other people have to say.
This will provide valuable insight into what you can expect. You should also ensure they’ve handled plenty of projects like yours in the past. Check their pricing structure, as well.
The last thing you want is to encounter financial surprises. Keep in mind that you should never attempt DIY installation.
Not only could this damage your property, but it also comes with a significant risk of injury. This is true even for those who have experience with home improvement projects.
Hydrogen
It’s possible to use hydrogen fuel cells as a reliable, clean, and efficient energy source. Hydrogen is extracted from water through electrolysis. Hydrogen fuel isn’t as accepted as it should be at the moment, but progress is being made.
Wind
Wind turbines are used on dedicated areas of land to convert the kinetic energy that the wind produces into electricity. Wind energy is a byproduct of the sun and its uneven heating of Earth’s irregular surfaces. One of the best attributes of wind power is its capability to add a large number of jobs to the energy market.
Don’t Neglect Environmental Impacts
Far too many of us overlook how our lifestyles have environmental impacts. This can lead to a substantial amount of unnecessary damage. The good news is that minor lifestyle changes can substantially mitigate your carbon footprint.
Looking for other lifestyle info that can help you make better decisions? Our blog has plenty of articles like this one you can learn from. Be sure to check them out today!
