Oil

Oil is the leading energy source for transportation. It is estimated that the U.S. alone consumes about 19.88 million barrels per day as noted in 2017. Although, Oil is refined to gasoline, fuel oil, and petroleum gas it is very detrimental to the earth’s environment. Oil extraction causes environmental degradation and oil combustion can cause respiratory complications.

Coal

The coal industry is mainly used for the production of electricity around the world. In the U.S. we produce about 11% of all the world’s Coal. The combustion of coal is very dangerous as it produces pollutants that induces Acid Rain. Also, Acid Rain is highly destructive to vegetation and top soil (top soil helps with the production of agriculture and food for wildlife).  Acid Rain can contain chemicals such as sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen oxide, and Mercury; these chemicals are highly toxic to the environment.

Not only is acid rain caused by pollutants from the combustion of coal but mining of coal is detrimental to the environment and ecosystems. Rivers and bodies of water can be contaminated or destroyed by the waste in mines. It is also estimated that 32% of green house gasses in the U.S. are created by the combustion of Coal. 

Natural Gas

Natural Gas is mainly responsible for producing electricity and heat for buildings and offices. As of 2015 the U.S alone produces about 17.6% of the world’s natural gas and consumes about 21.6% of it. The reason natural gas is potentionaly harmful is that it is composed of methane; and methane is 20x more potent than carbon dioxide as a Greenhouse gas. 

Natural Gas is one of the cleaner fossil fuels however, the transportation and extraction of this gas can potentially disrupt ecosystems and pollute the oceans as well. That is why we must work as a community to find even better ways to use resources to produce energy.

Citation

Piccirilli Dorsey, Inc. “Fossil Fuels.” EESI – Environmental and Energy Study Institute, www.eesi.org/topics/fossil-fuels/description.