The Fossil Fuels
A close-up of colored fossils.
Decomposing plants and other organisms, concealed beneath layers of sediment and rock, have taken millennia to become the carbon-rich deposits of fossil fuels. Across our society, we utilize these non-renewable fuels, which include coal, oil, and natural gas, to supply over 80% of the world’s energy. Not only do these fossil fuels provide electricity, transportation, and heat, but they are also found everywhere, from plastic forks to elements inside a smartphone. When fossil fuels are burned, greenhouse gases are released at an alarming rate, contributing to the warming of our planet. Today, let’s take a look at the three primary fossil fuels found ubiquitously.
1. Oil
First, the most common and abundant fossil fuel is oil. This substance is a thick, black, and noxious chemical composition of majority carbon and hydrogen - reasoning the detrimental effects on our Earth. During the Mesozoic period, where dinosaurs still wandered Earth, over 252, and 66 million years ago, they began to form. Thick sediment, plankton, algae, and more sank to the bottom of ancient seas such as the black sea. Over time, these seas evaporated, succeeded by mounds of rock. Today, oil is fracked primarily in the Middle East, both on and offshore. Unfortunately, due to its viscosity, it is easily spilled into our seas, resulting in numerous deleterious effects. If it doesn’t find it’s way to water by oil spills, it floats in as many disposable plastic items we use. Fortunately, scientists are developing technologies to protect our seas, including microorganisms that can filter oil from water. Still, oil accounts for over half of fossil fuel consumption worldwide.
2. Coal
After oil, the familiar black rocks (coal) that we see everywhere, on train shipments to stocking stuffers of “bad” kids, is racking in millions of tons of pollution. Coal was formed during the Carboniferous period about 300 to 360 million years ago. Algae and debris from swamp forests settled deeper under layers of mud, with this enormous pressure, they turned to coal. Now, we are mining deep into the ground to extract these limited resources, even as our world begins to warm. The Global Energy Monitor’s analysis finds, “China will need to reduce its coal power capacity by 40 percent over the next decade to meet the Paris Agreement. In addition to roughly 1,000 gigawatts of existing coal capacity, China has 121 gigawatts of coal plants under construction, which is more than is being built in the rest of the world combined.” Coal plants are still being built, even though climate change is threatening entire ecosystems. We need to take measures to reduce our emissions, but instead, much industry is only increasing it. Take innovations in the natural gas industry.
3. Natural Gas
Recently, yet another fossil fuel, natural gas, is being used even more prominently throughout the world. Natural gas is laborious to extract, involving complicated procedures such as hydraulic fracturing, horizontal drilling, and even attempts to break undersea methane hydrates. However, recent innovations have made it more accessible, and at the same time, more dangerous for the world to take advantage of these resources. Not only does natural gas emit CO2, but it also damages valuable land. Now, natural gas is everywhere, from cookstoves to residential heating. Fortunately, in comparison to other fossil fuels, the emissions of natural gas are much lower in emissions. Still, it contributes to the dangerous warming of our planet.
No matter the type of fossil fuel, they all are contributing to the global crisis of climate change. If we want to avoid, or at the very least, reducing this catastrophe, we need to take action now. It will be hard, but simple steps, such as biking to work rather than driving, will all add up to make a difference. To do this, we need everyone, no matter where you live, to focus on some of these little things. With that, we can ensure that the world stays healthy and our future generation can continue enjoying it.
