Fossil Fuels - Research Paper Example

Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy Introduction Environmental sustainability is a common term nowadays used by the environmentalists and other social scientists. It refers to the sustainable development of the environment without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In simple words, sustainability is all about the improvement of human life without damaging the eco-systems. Heavy industrialization has raised some serious concerns about the availability and management of energy in many developed countries. Most of the conventional energy sources used by us at present are fossil fuels (Coal, petroleum and natural gas) and are non renewable. As per some studies the available or discovered stocks of fossil fuels may last hardly for 30-40 years. In other worlds, we need to find out alternate energy sources for our future energy requirements because of the non renewable nature of fossil fuels. On the other hand, renewable energy is the energy obtained from natural sources like sunlight, wind, rain, tides etc. One of the most important aspects of the above energy sources is the renewable nature of them. In other words, we can get a continuous supply of energy from these sources. But there are certain limitations for us in utilizing these energy sources. This paper analyses environmental sustainability in terms of fossil fuels (Non-renewable) and renewable energy sources. Comparison of renewable and non renewable energies in terms of environment Most of the renewable energy sources are causing immense damages to the environment at the time of processing of it. For example, mining of coal create lot of environment problems in the form of erosion, habitat destruction, atmospheric pollution etc (NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES). Nuclear power, another non-renewable energy source also causes many environmental problems. The materials used for obtaining nuclear energies are radioactive materials which can cause severe damages to living things. The nuclear wastes coming out after the processing of nuclear energy may also contain radioactive materials which can liberate harmful radiations for thousands of years. “Radioactive wastes comprise a variety of materials requiring different types of management to protect people and the environment”(Waste Management) . The safe disposal of nuclear waste is a big problem and if it is disposed on earth it can cause severe damages to environment. Global warming like environment problems may occur because of the processing of fossil fuels like non-renewable energy sources. “The chief contributor to climate change is carbon emissions from fossil fuels”(Renewable Energy Vs Non-Renewable Energy). The vehicles which use fossil fuels like petrol and diesel liberate toxic gases like carbon dioxide which can overheat the atmosphere. Naturally there is a balance between the available amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in atmosphere. Plants liberate oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. But the excessive production and usage of automobiles which is working on fossil fuel may damage this atmospheric balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide which may increase the temperature of the atmosphere. On the other hand, renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy etc cause less damages to the environment. It is easy to convert solar energy in the form of electricity to use in all kinds of equipment, from calculators and watches to roadside emergency phones and recreational vehicles (Solar Electricity). The major advantage of solar energy is that it is most suitable to the environment. In fact the heat and light produced by the sun is necessary for the sustainability of environment. Plants and all the living things need light and heat energy from the sun for their growth. Plants, the sole producers of food for the entire living things in the world, use solar energy for producing food. Wind energy and tidal energy are also environment friendly. The major advantage of these energy sources is the renewable nature. It is difficult to anticipate that the tides or wind may cease in future. As long as the sun, atmosphere, and sea are there, wind and tides can exist. So these sources of energy are infinite. In fact most of this energy sources are underused because of the less expensive available technologies for the processing of it. Hydro electric projects are other sources of renewable energy. In hydro electric projects, the potential energy of the water stored at a height is used to produce electricity. But unlike most of the other renewable energy sources, hydro electric projects can cause damages to environment. The major environmental problem associated with hydroelectric project is the negative impacts it causes to eco system. The dams constructed for storing water may occupy lot of spaces which may destroy the habitats of wild animals. But the major advantage of hydroelectric power is that it is renewable in nature. We cannot anticipate that the rain may stop and the rivers may dry up in a particular period of time. River water is immense in many countries and a judicious approach can utilize river water without impacting much on the environment. Geothermal power is another renewable energy source. Geothermal power uses heat from below the earth’s surface to produce electricity or heat buildings and water systems. Geothermal power produces little to no air pollution and is extremely reliable during the lifetime of the power plant. Geothermal applications cover a range of use, from small-scale geothermal heat pumps used in homes, to large-scale power plants that provide electricity (California and Renewables) Conclusions Environmental sustainability can be achieved only through the careful management of natural resources. The utilization of natural resources must be done only after the careful evaluation of its short term and long term merits and demerits. Renewable energy sources like sun, wind, tide etc seems to be less damaging for the environment whereas hydro electric projects can cause problems to the wild animals. Most of the non-renewable energy sources of like fossil fuels, natural gas, coal, nuclear energy etc are causing severe damages to the environment. It is necessary to utilize the energy sources judiciously for the sustainability of environment. Works Cited 1. “California and Renewables”. 02 March 2010. 2. “NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES”. 2009. 02 March 2010. 3. “Renewable Energy Vs Non-Renewable Energy”.2010. 02 March 2010. 4. “Solar Electricity”. 02 March 2010. 5. “Waste Management”. 02 March 2010. Read More