FOSSIL FUELS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

 

By Priscilla Tetteh

Fossil fuels have had a significant impact on climate change, particularly in the context of transportation.

To understand the impact, let's consider the combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, in vehicles. When these fuels are burned, carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gasses trap heat, leading to the greenhouse effect and subsequently influencing climate patterns.

Firstly, the transportation sector heavily relies on fossil fuels, especially in the form of petroleum-based products. Cars, trucks, ships, airplanes, and trains predominantly utilize fossil fuel engines, contributing to a substantial release of CO2 and other pollutants. The emissions from these modes of transportation have been a leading cause of rising global greenhouse gas concentrations.

The consequences of burning fossil fuels for transportation are multiplied. The primary concern is the exponential increase in CO2 levels. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that has been linked to global warming, leading to adverse climate effects, including rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and sea-level rise. These phenomena, in turn, result in extreme weather events, habitat loss, and ecological imbalances.

The global warming emissions resulting from energy production are a serious global environmental problem. Therefore many nations have signed the UN agreement to prevent a dangerous impact on the world climate. Limiting global temperature rise at 2 degrees Celsius demands 75% climate in carbon emissions in the industrial countries by 2050.( Sarin Abraham et al, 2012)

IMPORTANCE OF CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION.

According to K. Ganesh(2012),Every time we burn fossil fuels such as gas, coal or oil, Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. In a natural carbon cycle, carbon dioxide is re- absorbed by plants and trees. However, we are burning fuels where the carbon dioxide  has been trapped under the earth's surface for a million of years, and we are doing it so quickly that plants and trees are alive now have no chance of soaking it up.

The effects of all this extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is that the overall temperature of the plant is increasing(global warming) whilst the average global temperature is increasing, on a day to day basis the climate is changing in unpredictable ways from floods and hurricanes to heat waves and drought.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

One solution is transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) that run on clean energy. They produce zero emissions and are becoming more popular.  Another solution is investing in public transportation, like buses and trains, which can reduce the number of individual cars on the road.

All things considered, it is critical to acknowledge that the use of fossil fuels for transportation has a substantial impact on climate change. Mitigating the devastating effects of burning fossil fuels on our environment requires both the development of alternative energy sources and the shift to cleaner, more sustainable modes of transportation. We can work toward a future that is more sustainable and greener by implementing these actions.