What are fossil fuels? Plants and animals die, are buried and are exposed to extreme pressures and temperatures over millions of years. This organic material eventually forms carbon-rich energy sources like coal, oil and natural gas.
Fossil fuels AREN’T all bad! They are the building blocks of our modern, industrial society. The luxuries and comforts that we enjoy (like plastics, heat and electricity) come primarily from the burning of fossil fuels. The use of these readily available resources have allowed for the development of modern technologies, international travel and have even helped to eliminate the need for slave labor through mechanical innovation.
However, the environment is paying a serious price for our unbridled consumption of fossil fuels and our climate is warming at rate that may cause irreversible consequences.
Oil:
Oil is THE energy source of our time. We refine the crude, extracted oil into different products like gasoline, jet-fuel, diesel and even plastics. This fossil fuel has promoted global commerce and is behind many of the greatest technological and social innovations of our day.
Dependence on oil as an energy source is a danger to our National Security, our environment and our economy. Promoting domestic renewable energy sources will provide green jobs, safeguard our health and break our reliance on unstable foreign governments and oil cartels.
There are drawbacks though.
-Mining for oil destroys natural habitats and poses dangers to both workers and residents.
-The refining process requires the use of toxic chemicals and high amounts of energy.
-Transporting and burning oil emits CO2 and other pollutants into the air we ALL breathe.
92% of the coal used in the United States is burned to generate electricity. The Valmont coal-fired power plant in Boulder allows us to turn on our lights at night. Coal has provided jobs and helped to raise people’s standard of living all around the world.
So what’s the big deal?
-Mining coal is extremely dangerous to human health and to the environment. -Transporting coal requires massive machinery. -Burning coal emits CO2, a major cause of Climate Change. Mercury contamination, ozone pollution and acid rain also stem from coal firing.
The environmental effects of coal-fired power generation are everywhere, even in our backyard. Did you know that Boulder just received an F from the American Lung Association for our ozone levels?
A quarter of the energy consumption of the U.S. comes from natural gas. We use this fossil fuel to heat our homes and to make products like paints, plastics and explosives. Natural gas has thousands of uses. We use it to produce steel, glass, paper, clothing, brick, electricity and much more!
The extraction of this fuel source does have environmental impacts though. Natural gas exploration, the installation of gas rigs and the construction of pipelines to carry the finished product are all contraversial. The Roan Plateau is a perfect LOCAL example of this heated debate.
Methane is a greenhouse gas that can be much more potent than CO2 when it comes to Global Climate Change. As waste is broken down by bacteria they release methane and this methane is allowed to escape into the atmosphere.
Methane is not useless; we can harness methane and burn it as a fuel which causes the release of CO2, but won’t be as big of a contributor to Global Climate Change as allowing the methane to escape directly to the atmosphere. Two major sources of methane are landfills an permafrost melt.
