burning of fossil fuel

Running head: BURNING OF FOSSIL FUEL1

Burning of Fossil Fuels – a potential Cause of Global Warming

Sadaf Meraj

NED University of Engineering and technology

Department of Polymer and Petrochemical

BURNING OF FOSSIL FUEL 5

Burning of fossil fuel is a hidden causeof global warming. Fossil fuels

are being used as one of the major energy resources for industrial and

domestic usage. Nowadays, Electricity is one of the corenecessities for living

and it is produced mainly by combustion of coal that is a fossil fuel.The

increasing consumption of fossil fuel such as crude oil, natural gas and coal

has direct impact on increasing amount of Oxides in atmosphere. Since the

Industrial Revolution instigated in about 1750, carbon dioxide levels in

atmosphere have amplified approximately by 38 percent till 2009 and

methane levels have amplified by 48 percent. Nowadays, fossil fuel provides

90% of the total required energy on earth which is employed for industrial

and domestic purpose and electricity production, remaining 10% is fulfilled

by nuclear resources, wind energy, wood, charcoal and renewable energy.

The constant increase in global warming may cause climatically change on

earth. The average surface temperature of globe has risen by approximately

0.6 degree Celsius during last century. Scientists predict that if carbon

dioxide levels continue to increase, the planet will become warmer in the

next century. At north and South Pole global warming is causing large ice

burgs to melt and flow in oceans that raises sea water level(Langholz&

Turner, 2003).

In what manner does burning of fossil fuel causes global warming?

Earth is surrounded by a layerof gases called greenhouses that absorbs a


portion of heat from ultraviolet rays coming to earth in order to maintain

temperature of earth required for human survival i.e. 15 degree

Celsius(Phillips, 2009).When fossil fuels are burn with oxygen they produce

harmful gases such as nitrous oxides and carbon dioxide.Burning of fossil

fuels is an exothermic reaction and produces warm gases. Warm gases are

lighter than air therefore they move up to the layer of atmosphere. The

ultraviolet rays are continuously reaching to the earth from sun, carbon

dioxide absorbs the heat energy from ultraviolet rays so, the ultraviolet rays

don't reflect back completely and the heat absorbed within greenhouse

gases elevate the temperature of earth. Fossil fuels are likewise involved in

increased levels of atmospheric methane and nitrous oxides, though they are

not the main source of these gases.In the concluding 150 years, burning of

fossil fuels has caused a 25 percent upsurge in amount of carbon dioxide in

our air(Phillips, 2009).

Global warming can be caused by some natural processes, but many

researchers believe that human activities are giving rise to global

warming(Phillips, 2009).By 2030 the use of fossil fuel would be twice of the

amount used in 2005 (Solway, 2008).Projected temperature incrementis

impacting earth massively.Coastal areas may flood due to sea level rise,

changed weather patterns can result in more extreme weather happenings,

and domestic agricultural regions could undergo an increase in the


frequency of dearth. In the year 2005, hurricane Katrina flooded large area of

New Orleans, Louisiana; Scientists anticipated that extreme climate

happenings such as hurricane would become more prominent with increase

in global warming (Solway, 2008). In June 2006,a board arranged by the U.S

National Research Council, the national premier science policy organisation,

stated with high level of confidence that earth has been warmest in at least

400 years(Phillips, 2009). The increase in temperature due to greenhouse

gases causes change in climatic pattern on entire earth, this climatic change

is termed as global warming(Solway, 2008). According to news article

released by NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), the solar

increases are not capable to cause large global temperature rises,

greenhouse gases are definitely occupy the dominant role (Phillips,

2009).Global warming has a lion's share of consideration to date. Scientist

has been studying global warming since 1800s. In 1992, a United Nation's

conference on environment and development was held called as "Earth

Summit". As the new age opens, the warning of global warming is growing,

and atmospheric scientists have to make consent that carbon dioxide and

other greenhouse gases are increasing temperature on earth. Smith, E.

(2002).

In my opinion with continuously increasing consumption of fossil fuel

we are protruding current problem to future generations.The effects


of .Global warming are prominent at the present, forest fires is one of them.

During forest fires the carbon disbursed in plants is released back, causing a

rush in carbon dioxide emission.Carbon sinks are an excuse to retain burning

fossil fuels. The only effective way to diminish greenhouse gases is to less

the amount of fossil fuel we consume(Langholz& Turner, 2003).The use of

nuclear energy, tidal energy, wind energy and solar energy could lessen the

consumption of fossil fuel. Consequently, Global warming would be reduced

(Smith, E. 2002).We are well equipped with a clean, easily accessible and

renewable energy resource that is water. Water is being used for generating

power and neither it emits greenhouse gases nor causes Global warming

(Solway, 2008).Global warming effects are indication for an immediate

action.


Referneces

Langholz, J., & Turner, K. (2003). You can prevent global warming (and save

money!)(1st ed.). Kansas City, Mo.: Andrews McMeel Pub.

Phillips, D. (2009). Deep Solar Minimum - NASA Science. Science.nasa.gov.

Retrieved 4 September 2014, from http://science.nasa.gov/science-

news/science-at-nasa/2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum/

Smith, E. (2002). Energy, the environment, and public opinion (1st ed.).

Lanham, Md.: Rowman& Littlefield Publishers.

Solway, A. (2008). Water power (1st ed.). Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens

Pub