Fossil fuels are a primary source of the world’s energy and have contributed to human progress for centuries now. These fuels are formed from the decomposition of ancient plants and animals and comprise of hydrocarbons, like methane, coal and oil. Unfortunately, their combustion has long-lasting and devastating environmental effects, particularly concerning global warming.
Global warming is the general trend of increasing average temperatures on Earth. The underlying cause of this phenomenon is the accumulation of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, preventing it from radiating back out into space and thus raising global temperatures. Notably, the burning of fossil fuels is reported to release an exorbitant amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases, leading to climate change.
Scientific data indicates that around 28.9 – 36.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels in 2018. Additionally, these fossil fuels are increasingly being used to power factories, drive cars and contribute to industry. This further complicates the situation as high levels of carbon dioxide and other pollutants are released in the air. Consequently, the concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide has risen to its highest point in 3 million years and is leading to a temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius since the start of the 20th century.
Apart from pushing up the average global temperature, the burning of fossil fuels is responsible for causing air pollution and respiratory problems. In turn, this can weaken bodies’ immune system, deteriorating the quality of life. Evidence also suggested that fossil fuel combustion has been associated with a substantially higher number of babies born with low birth weights and can increase the mortality risk for certain diseases like lung cancer.
To address this issue, governments around the world have invested in numerous green solutions and projects. A huge part of this effort has gone into developing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Additionally, many countries have established achievable targets to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and reliance on fossil fuels. The European nations, for instance, have decided to cut their emissions by 20 percent until 2020 and by 40 percent until 2030.
It is apparent that fossil fuels lead to global warming and negatively impact various aspects of the environment. As such, it is essential that steps are taken to reduce their use and to invest in renewable energy sources. This entails a collective effort from both governments and citizens alike to ensure our planet is safe and habitable in the coming years.
