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:
Fossil fuels have the following environmental effects:
- Air pollution: Burning of fossil fuels release oxides and sulphides in the air and many other harmful gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, etc. These cause various health problems and also lead to acid rain which further affects water and soil resources.
- Greenhouse effect: On burning fossil fuels, a large amount of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This is a greenhouse gas and does not allow the sun rays reflected from the earth surface to escape into the atmosphere. Thus, increasing the temperature of the atmosphere. This is called greenhouse effect and results in global warming.
Following steps can be taken to minimise pollution:
- Use of smokeless appliances.
- Use of refined technology to increase the efficiency of combustion process and to reduce escape of harmful gases into the atmosphere.
- Judicious use of energy.