Fossil fuels are hard to quit. Although they are non-renewable, they are abundant and have an energy density that renewable sources cannot hope to match. However, their drawbacks are quite literally damaging our present and destroying our future. They are not renewable. But more importantly, they don't meet any other sustainability requirements.
Unfortunately, confusion about how fossil fuels fit into the conversation about "renewable" and "sustainable" energy is partially to blame for the widespread stubbornness of their use as an energy source. This article seeks to clarify how they fit in.
Many People Can't Define Sustainable
Industry experts often use the terms "sustainable" and "renewable" interchangeably. But there is a difference. All sustainable energy sources are renewable, but not all renewable sources are sustainable. A renewable source can provide enough energy for our needs without depleting the supply. On the other hand, a sustainable source meets our current needs without threatening the ability of future generations to do the same.
Moreover, an energy source is only sustainable if it has an efficient distribution system that does not put undue stress on the human population or harm plant and animal life with pollution. Put another way, sustainable energy does not cause climate change, pollute the environment, or harm communities.
Fueling Climate Change Threatens The Future
Fossil fuels cause climate change, threatening future generations. Their energy comes from the carbon that made up organic lifeforms hundreds of millions of years ago. When these organisms died, rocks and other sediments covered them, causing high subterranean heat and pressure. Over millions of years, these conditions changed the organic remains into oil, gas, and coal.
Direct burning releases some of the carbon in these fuel sources into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Although the CO2 released varies according to each fuel type's content, all emit a dangerous amount into the atmosphere. This process unbalances Earth's "carbon budget" – the natural balance of carbon in the atmosphere, oceans, and land. Too much CO2 in the atmosphere causes the famous "greenhouse effect," which raises the atmosphere's temperature to catastrophic levels.
Meeting Our Energy Needs Is Not The Same As Meeting The Environments Needs
Coal and oil processing cause vast amounts of pollution worldwide. The contamination of local environments has many adverse effects on plant and animal health, including human well-being. For instance, many of the gasses released when burning coal are highly toxic. In addition, the leftover coal ash often ends up in lakes and rivers, destroying waterways and contaminating drinking water.
For oil, the history of spills and explosions is enough to show how dangerous it is to plant and animal life. Unfortunately, while spills are the most visible indication of the 1.3 million tons of oil that reach the ocean yearly, most oil pollution enters the environment through storm drains. The high death toll from poisoning the environment alone is enough for fossil fuels to be catastrophically unsustainable.
New research illustrates the effects of urban heat on the economy and health in marginalized communities in recent years. On average, urban people of color are subject to 2 degrees Celsius more heat than whites. This disparity has a tremendous impact on health and economic productivity. Although fossil fuels' climate and environmental effects are enough to make them unsustainable, the damage they do by perpetuating societal inequities is enough reason to abandon them.
Geography Limits Efficiency For All Energy Sources
Sustainability demands efficiency. In certain contexts, renewable energy sources lose their sustainability. For instance, wind and solar power are popular forms of sustainable energy, but simple geography may limit their utility. Utility-scale wind power is only practicable where the average wind speeds generate enough electricity to satisfy consumer demand. Elsewhere, people incur the cost of storing and transporting energy or resort to other energy sources, including fossil fuels.
Non-renewable fuels run up against the same limitation. For example, coal must travel to coal-fired power plants. Due to the sheer mass of the stuff required, transportation can be more expensive than the actual mining process. Therefore, most coal-fired power plants are close to the source. Considering the effects of the transportation sector on climate change, moving coal or other fossil fuels from one region to another would be grossly inefficient.
Fossil Fuels Don't Check A Single Box For Sustainability
Sustainable energy sources are renewable, don't warm the planet, don't pollute, and satisfy the demands of equity. The carbon emissions and pollution from fossil fuels are enough to disqualify their use. These drawbacks, in turn, perpetuate societal ills that have existed for more than a hundred years. Fortunately, the rise of sustainable energy may allow us to remedy the sins of the past, alleviate the environmental damage of the present, and prevent a catastrophe in our future. It's time to abandon fossil fuels.
Key Takeaways
Pursue Zero Waste – The more efficiently you live life, the less fuel needed to deliver you the goods. It's a long supply chain, but reducing the demand for electricity and oil is a great way to take action.
Travel Green – Avoid flying when possible; trains pollute much less. In addition, consider buying an EV if you have the resources. It may be a significant upfront investment, but it pays. You will save big on gas and drastically reduce your personal emissions.
Get Political – Politicians want to get reelected. If enough people call them to demand an end to new fossil fuel infrastructure and subsidies along and a beginning for new green infrastructure, they will start to listen.
Sustainable fuel sources don't destroy the environment, degrade society, or endanger the future while meeting our energy needs. Fossil fuels do.
Fossil fuels are hard to quit. Although they are non-renewable, they are abundant and have an energy density that renewable sources cannot hope to match. However, their drawbacks are quite literally damaging our present and destroying our future. They are not renewable. But more importantly, they don't meet any other sustainability requirements.
Unfortunately, confusion about how fossil fuels fit into the conversation about "renewable" and "sustainable" energy is partially to blame for the widespread stubbornness of their use as an energy source. This article seeks to clarify how they fit in.
Fossil fuels are hard to quit. Although they are non-renewable, they are abundant and have an energy density that renewable sources cannot hope to match. However, their drawbacks are quite literally damaging our present and destroying our future. They are not renewable. But more importantly, they don't meet any other sustainability requirements.
Unfortunately, confusion about how fossil fuels fit into the conversation about "renewable" and "sustainable" energy is partially to blame for the widespread stubbornness of their use as an energy source. This article seeks to clarify how they fit in.
Many People Can't Define Sustainable
Industry experts often use the terms "sustainable" and "renewable" interchangeably. But there is a difference. All sustainable energy sources are renewable, but not all renewable sources are sustainable. A renewable source can provide enough energy for our needs without depleting the supply. On the other hand, a sustainable source meets our current needs without threatening the ability of future generations to do the same.
Moreover, an energy source is only sustainable if it has an efficient distribution system that does not put undue stress on the human population or harm plant and animal life with pollution. Put another way, sustainable energy does not cause climate change, pollute the environment, or harm communities.
Fueling Climate Change Threatens The Future
Fossil fuels cause climate change, threatening future generations. Their energy comes from the carbon that made up organic lifeforms hundreds of millions of years ago. When these organisms died, rocks and other sediments covered them, causing high subterranean heat and pressure. Over millions of years, these conditions changed the organic remains into oil, gas, and coal.
Direct burning releases some of the carbon in these fuel sources into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Although the CO2 released varies according to each fuel type's content, all emit a dangerous amount into the atmosphere. This process unbalances Earth's "carbon budget" – the natural balance of carbon in the atmosphere, oceans, and land. Too much CO2 in the atmosphere causes the famous "greenhouse effect," which raises the atmosphere's temperature to catastrophic levels.
Meeting Our Energy Needs Is Not The Same As Meeting The Environments Needs
Coal and oil processing cause vast amounts of pollution worldwide. The contamination of local environments has many adverse effects on plant and animal health, including human well-being. For instance, many of the gasses released when burning coal are highly toxic. In addition, the leftover coal ash often ends up in lakes and rivers, destroying waterways and contaminating drinking water.
For oil, the history of spills and explosions is enough to show how dangerous it is to plant and animal life. Unfortunately, while spills are the most visible indication of the 1.3 million tons of oil that reach the ocean yearly, most oil pollution enters the environment through storm drains. The high death toll from poisoning the environment alone is enough for fossil fuels to be catastrophically unsustainable.
New research illustrates the effects of urban heat on the economy and health in marginalized communities in recent years. On average, urban people of color are subject to 2 degrees Celsius more heat than whites. This disparity has a tremendous impact on health and economic productivity. Although fossil fuels' climate and environmental effects are enough to make them unsustainable, the damage they do by perpetuating societal inequities is enough reason to abandon them.
Geography Limits Efficiency For All Energy Sources
Sustainability demands efficiency. In certain contexts, renewable energy sources lose their sustainability. For instance, wind and solar power are popular forms of sustainable energy, but simple geography may limit their utility. Utility-scale wind power is only practicable where the average wind speeds generate enough electricity to satisfy consumer demand. Elsewhere, people incur the cost of storing and transporting energy or resort to other energy sources, including fossil fuels.
Non-renewable fuels run up against the same limitation. For example, coal must travel to coal-fired power plants. Due to the sheer mass of the stuff required, transportation can be more expensive than the actual mining process. Therefore, most coal-fired power plants are close to the source. Considering the effects of the transportation sector on climate change, moving coal or other fossil fuels from one region to another would be grossly inefficient.
Fossil Fuels Don't Check a Single Box for Sustainability
Sustainable energy sources are renewable, don't warm the planet, don't pollute, and satisfy the demands of equity. The carbon emissions and pollution from fossil fuels are enough to disqualify their use. These drawbacks, in turn, perpetuate societal ills that have existed for more than a hundred years. Fortunately, the rise of sustainable energy may allow us to remedy the sins of the past, alleviate the environmental damage of the present, and prevent a catastrophe in our future. It's time to abandon fossil fuels.
Key Takeaways
Pursue Zero Waste – The more efficiently you live life, the less fuel needed to deliver you the goods. It's a long supply chain, but reducing the demand for electricity and oil is a great way to take action.
Travel Green – Avoid flying when possible; trains pollute much less. In addition, consider buying an EV if you have the resources. It may be a significant upfront investment, but it pays. You will save big on gas and drastically reduce your personal emissions.
Get Political – Politicians want to get reelected. If enough people call them to demand an end to new fossil fuel infrastructure and subsidies along and a beginning for new green infrastructure, they will start to listen.
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