Fossil Fuels And Alternative Energy Sources :: essays research papers fc

&8220Shifting PowerSince the beginning of industry humans defy been in face of fuel to power machines and generate energy. Fossil fuels, such as arrant(a) oil and coal, discovered beneath the Earth&8217s surface were show to be an excellent source of fuel. These fossil fuels atomic number 18 burnt in order to generate the energy required to complete various tasks. However, we be now realizing the problems that are created by using fossil fuels to generate energy. These problems are so great that they will force humans to find an substitute(a) source of energy in order to avoid the inevitable disasters that catch ones breath ahead.Every daytime millions of people drive their automobiles to work where they spend the day in a well lit workspace. Yet, they never give a second thought to the source of the energy that their daily lives depends on. Over lxxxv percent of the energy that powers the planet is derived from the burning of fossil fuels (Information 16). Fossil fuels d ispel impurities and these &8220impurities such as sulfur also burn and produce potentially dangerous oxides which are released into the gloriole (Burning www 1). Releasing these oxides into the air has umpteen consequences including smog, which is the most noticeable of these problems. The hazy smog that hangs over us in the summer is actually ground level ozone the most harmful pollutant of our air (Information 59). Pollutants of the air we breathe are very dangerous and vitrine many another(prenominal) problems especially to people with breathing disorders. For instance, the E.P.A. estimates that emissions of toxic material like these &8220oxides cause some 2000 cancer deaths a year (Information 61). The rainwaterwater that yields through this polluted air also poses a major risk. Industrial plants and automobiles throw chemicals that mix with the moisture in the tune and form acids that eventually fall to the Earth (Information 89). The same sulfur and nitrous oxides t hat cause the smog at ground level form nitric and sulfuric acids in the atmosphere (Burning www 1). Upon arrival to Earth this acidic rain damages everything that is falls on. The evidence of acid rain is extremely visible in the modify forests, polluted soil, and the contaminated plants and animals that are spread around the globe. This acid rain is so damaging it is also blamed for destroying the ancient Greek structures that have previously remained intact (Burning www 2). To add to the list of health and environmental problems associated with the burning of fossil fuels, global warming is also a major threat.