The Hidden Costs of Fossil Fuels

Governments around the world are providing up to $1 trillion in fossil fuel subsidies each year. These figures are not inclusive of the other costs associated with fossil fuels, but they are consistently in the hundreds of billions of dollars. A 2015 study by the International Monetary Fund estimated the unpaid cost of fossil fuels at $5.3 trillion per year, which works out to about $10 million per minute. While the number may seem large, this is actually not the entire picture.

Rebel News Canada

Although oil resources are not as widespread as coal, the advantages of oil are enormous. For one thing, oil fuels are extremely energy dense, carrying up to twice the energy content of coal. And because oil is a liquid, it makes internal combustion engines possible. Fuels with a higher energy density are often better for transportation, like gasoline. While other sources of energy are less dense, fossil fuels are generally the most energy-dense sources.

Fossil fuels are the result of the long-term burial of organisms that can use sunlight to produce energy. These organisms, including plants on land and plankton in the ocean, capture solar energy and store it in fossil fuels. Afterward, they decompose, releasing that energy as fossil fuels. But the process requires time and oxygen-free conditions. However, the long-term effects of fossil fuels are well worth the trouble.

As a result, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and accumulates there. Some of it dissolves in the oceans. In turn, carbon dioxide increases the pH of our atmosphere. This causes ocean acidification. That’s why we should look into alternative forms of energy. It’s essential that we understand the full impact of fossil fuels to protect our environment. So, we can make informed energy decisions that will keep us safe from the worst consequences of climate change.

The fossil fuel industry has a controversial extraction method, which is responsible for air pollution, water pollution, and a variety of other health effects. This process also involves a lot of water and land. If these resources aren’t properly disposed of, we’ll be left with a large pile of carbon waste that pollutes our environment. And it’s difficult to imagine how we’ll ever get rid of carbon. However, the problem doesn’t end there. By adopting an alternative energy source, we can save our environment and keep our economy from deteriorating.

Natural gas is another type of fossil fuel. It occurs in the form of a gas that forms in underground deposits. This substance can be extracted using a huge drilling platform. It is composed of various organic compounds and transforms into petroleum products and other useful products. It is used in automobiles, jets, roads, and even roofs, but cannot be found everywhere on earth. It has become a hot button and has been the cause of numerous wars.

While carbon capture and storage is the most cost-effective solution to carbon emissions in heavy industry, it isn’t without its limitations. For example, carbon emissions from cement production can result in a large amount of CO2, and carbon capture and storage is the least expensive solution. But capturing CO2 and storing it in deep underground reservoirs is still not a panacea. But it may help make fossil fuel use more feasible for some applications.