How Are Fossil Fuels Contributing To Global Warming
Global warming is the phenomenon of the increase in average temperature of the earth’s surface. The temperature of the air and oceans near the earth’s surface has risen in the past 100 years. And this rise is expected to keep going up without any relief. |
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Petroleum and its products are the main source of energy for the world. These fossil fuels are in high demand throughout. They are becoming more and more expensive with each passing day. Yet, there is no recession in their need. We are paying through our nose for them; whether it’s through the gasoline bill or the electricity bill. What we have failed to realize is that these are now fast depleting natural sources and have also caused serious environmental hazards. One of them is global warming. Almost all our concerns today are because of our over-dependence on fossil fuels.
When fossil fuels are burned, carbon dioxide is the gas that is released in large quantities. CO2 acts by trapping the heat in the earth’s atmosphere. Burning of fossil fuels has increased the level of CO2 by 25 %. They are also responsible for the release of other toxic gases like nitrous oxide and methane; both of which are hazardous to the environment and to human health. Records show that global warming has resulted in temperature increase of 0.5 F to 1.1 F. While this might not look like a significant rise, it is a very serious one. Scientists have concluded that this temperature elevation is definitely not due to natural causes. This is the effect of human activity that has led to atmospheric changes.
Environmentalists claim that if burning of fossil fuels continues, the earth will definitely be warmer by the mid of this century. The soar in temperature will lead to many atmospheric catastrophes like rise of sea-level and melting of glaciers. This is definitely going to reduce the land for human habitation. Weather patterns will change causing extreme summers. Altered weather conditions will show impact on agriculture and farming. But all this can be turned around if we learn the importance of conserving energy and by using natural sources of energy like sun and wind.
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