So now we know that fossil fuels are the main source of greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for global warming - but since we know that they’re the problem, why aren’t we cutting down on our fossil fuel usage? Well, to answer that question we’ll need to take a look at the pros and cons of fossil fuels…
Pros:
Fossil fuels are cheap - this is especially important as it allows for mass production and large-scale industrial processes that our modern world revolves around
Fossil fuels can produce lots of energy - a small amount of coal, oil or gas can produce large amounts of energy just from being burnt, making them an ideal fuel
Cons:
Burning fossil fuels emit huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere - in fact, fossil fuels are responsible for over 75% of all our emissions!
Fossil fuels are non-renewable - a substance is considered non-renewable if it cannot be quickly replaced once used; fossil fuels take millions of years to form but are used up in a matter of hours, so they will eventually run out if we continue to extract and use fossil fuels at our current rate
While the cons are definitely a big problem, there are a few things preventing us from banning fossil fuels as of right now. Firstly, we won’t run out of fossil fuels for another few decades, so people don’t view their unsustainable nature as an immediate problem. You must also keep in mind that fossil fuels are a very cheap and efficient source of energy, certainly more effective than any other energy alternative we currently have, so it is difficult to convince people to switch to cleaner but more costly and less efficient alternatives. And, because the effects of burning fossil fuels haven’t been clearly noticeable until recent years, people once again don’t see the need to prioritise the replacement of fossil fuels.
Furthermore, our entire world is powered by fossil fuels; it took decades for the world to gradually shift from using wood as a primary source of energy to fossil fuels, and it will take just as long if not even longer to eventually phase out the usage of fossil fuels. But the fact that we have gone through a major energy reform once before shows that we can do it again, as long as there is international cooperation and commitment.
And there’s more good news: greener alternatives to fossil fuels have been in development for decades and have recently been making rapid advancements. While they still aren’t as efficient as fossil fuels, they show lots of potential and will play a major role in our future energy production and consumption. These sources of “renewable” energy are quickly replenished once used and are found in infinite amounts, so they, unlike fossil fuels, won’t run out. Next week, we’ll be taking a look at the main types of renewable energy, and whether or not they will eventually be able to replace fossil fuels.
Credits:
Image - Vecteezy
Information - Usborne Climate Crisis for Beginners, UN
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