17.3

Conservation and transportation

Transportation accounts for ⅔ of the oil in the US One way to conserve energy is to design and use vehicles that use less fossil fuels If taxes on gasoline were increases it would become more expensive and less people would want to use it

Prudhoe Bay:

Tundra vegetation at Prudhoe Bay still has not fully recovered from temporary roads that have not been used in 30 years

Dangers of mining:

Underground coal mining is one of our society's most dangerous occupations Risks come from collapsing shafts and tunnels Miners also risk health by inhaling coal This can cause diseases

Releasing greenhouse gases:

All fossil fuels contain carbon When fossil fuels burn they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas Carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of fossil fuels warms the atmosphere and drives changes in global climate Carbon dioxide pollution is becoming recognized as the greatest environmental impact of fossil fuel use

Damage from oil and gas extraction:

Developing an oil or gas field involves much more than drilling Housing and roads must be built Workers build pipelines to carry the fuel These activities can harm plants and animals

Water pollution:

Fossil fuels pollute water as well as air Oil can get into water

Strip mining and the environment:

can destroy large areas of habitat and can cause extensive soil erosion Mountaintop removal can have an even greater impact than ordinary strip mining. Tons of rock and soil are removed from the tops of mountains. It can slide down the hills and destroy habitats and clog waterways

Personal choices:

Individuals can make choices that conserve energy We can drive less, turn off lights, turn down thermostats, buy appliances that conserve energy

Possible Impact on the Arctic refuge:

Many scientists predict that wildlife and plants will be damaged Oil spills can harm plants

Damage caused by extracting fuels

Mining and drilling for fuels can endanger people and change ecosystems in harmful ways It isn't easy to remove fossil fuels It is expensive and dangerous to the people working there

Disadvantages of foreign dependence:

Nations that lack adequate fossil fuels are especially at risk In recent years the united states has relied more and more on foreign energy

Effects on health:

Numerous health risks are associated with fossil fuels Mercury for example, is released from coal fired power plants. It can damage the central nervous system and the kidneys can cause severe nausea

Dependence on foreign sources:

Since fossil fuels are unevenly distributed in the world, may nations need to depend on foreign sources Some nations have more fossil fuels than others The united states has a lot of coal Many middle eastern countries have a lot of crude oil

Air pollution:

The burning of coal and oil releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides which contribute to industrial and photochemical smog and cause acid deposition Catalytic converters have cut down the release of pollutants by motor vehicles To reduce pollution by power plants, the US government and industries are working to develop a coal-fired power plant that does not release pollutants

Reducing dependence on foreign oil:

The united states has enacted policies to reduce dependence on oil from foreign countries The united states has diversified its sources of petroleum, it now receives much of its petroleum from nations other than those in the middle east Also developing renewable energy sources will decrease dependence

Energy Conservation:

To save fossil fuels and limit the damage they cause, we need to conserve energy By being less dependent on fossil fuels we can reduce some of their environmental harm

Pollution from fossil fuels

the burning of fossil fuels causes pollution that affects health and the environment. When fossil fuels are burned, fossil fuels release substances that contribute to climate change and cause pollution. The process of obtaining and refining fossil fuels can harm health and environmental problems.

The quecreek accident

was when 9 coal miners were trapped underground. This accident is a reminder that fossil fuels come with a cost, and benefits. Workers risk their lives everyday to obtain the fuels we need. The use of the fuels can cause damage.