Question 27: What are the environmental consequences of using fossil fuels?
Suggest the steps to minimise the pollution caused by various sources of energy including non-conventional sources of energy.
Answer:
Consequences of using fossil fuels:
Petroleum, coal and natural gas are the fossil fuels. Burning of fossil fuels release oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur in the atmosphere which also leads to acid rain that are produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, smelters, power plants, industries etc. sulphuric acid and nitric acid is produced and contributes 60-70% or 30-40% respectively of the acidity and it automatically pollutes the environment and leads to air pollution. And, air pollution leads to health hazards to the human and the animal’s health. By increasing the amount of gases specially carbon dioxide will lead to global warming. Non- conventional resources are the renewable process of energy which is continuously replenished by the natural resources.
Electricity or energy generated by the wind by windmills, biomass, solar energy; all are the examples of non- conventional resources. The steps to minimize the environmental pollution caused by various measures sources of energy including non-conventional sources of energy are following:-
1. Conventional fuels like firewood, coal and oil should be replaced by electricity or natural gas like CNG which do not emit sulphur oxides. Thus use public transport.
2. Pollution free fuels like alcohol, hydrogen or battery power should be developed for automobiles. Good quality fuel should be used in motor vehicles which can reduce SO2 pollution.
3. Trees should be grown (Afforestation) in all available spaces which use carbon dioxide and release oxygen; this purifies air.
4. Avoid misuse of the energy or electricity to reduce the consumption level.
5. Use catalytic converters that can convert oxides of nitrogen to nitrogen that will control the automobile exhaust.
6. Kyoto protocol is linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which enables developed countries to acquire greenhouse gases reduction or to automatically reduce environmental pollution.
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