Fossil Fuels
What are fossil fuels?
Fossil fuels are energy resources like coal, oil, and natural gas. They are organic
materials that form over millions of years after dead plants and animals are buried
and exposed to extreme pressure and temperature.
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, global trade,
and the information age.
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.
However, the environment is paying a serious price for our unbridled consumption
of fossil fuels and our climate is warming at a rate that may cause irreversible
consequences. Oil spills, ecological damage, pollution and human health risks are
just some of the negative impacts of oil exploration, development and use.
Dependence on oil as an energy source is a real danger to our national security, our
environment and our economy. Promoting domestic renewable energy sources
instead will provide green jobs, safeguard our health and break our reliance on
unstable foreign governments and oil cartels. In addition, 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 that we
ALL breathe.
Coal
Of all the coal used in the United States, 92% is burned to generate electricity. The
Valmont coal-fired power plant in Boulder allows us to turn on our lights at night. As
well as run many other kinds of equipment and technology. Coal has also provided
many jobs and helped to raise people’s standard of living all around the world.
So, what's the big deal? The environmental effects of coal-fired power generation
can been seen everywhere. Mining coal is extremely dangerous to human health and
to the environment. Mercury contamination, ozone pollution and acid rain also stem
from the firing of coal. Did you know that Boulder received an D from the American
Lung Association for our ozone levels? Burning coal also emits CO2, a major cause of
climate change. Since coal is so heavy it is incredibly energy intensive to transport to
where it needs to go, thus adding to the total CO2 emissions of the energy extraction
and delivery process.
Natural Gas
A quarter of the U.S. energy consumption comes from natural gas, a mixture of
mostly methane and a smaller amount of other hydrocarbons. When natural gas is
burned, one of the products is CO2. We use this fossil fuel to heat our homes and to
make products like paints, plastics, steel, glass, paper, clothing, and brick.
The extraction of this fuel source has huge environmental impacts, though.
Hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking), is a controversial means to an end, and often
negatively impacts everyone involved with the construction process of the gas rigs
and pipelines and the extraction of the gas.
We have seen this debate heat up locally as municipalities try to place bans on
fracking in their communities. Fracking protestors site the many ecological impacts,
such as water contamination and increased rates of disease. However, many argue
that it's development is necessary to support the variable capacity of renewable
energy generation. It is a transition fuel with lower carbon output when compared
to oil and coal.
Methane=Potent Greenhouse Gas
Methane is a greenhouse gas that can be much more potent than CO2 when it comes
to climate change. Two major sources of methane are landfills and permafrost melt.
As waste is broken down by bacteria they release methane, which then can escape
into the atmosphere. If this methane can be trapped and burned as fuel, CO2 is
released. While the CO2 will exist in the atmosphere much longer, methane traps
significantly more heat, making it a much bigger contributor to climate change.