Question

What are the disadvantages of burning fossil fuels?

Answer 1

Hint:When we burn fossil fuels, gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide are released into the atmosphere. They are toxic for humans and very harmful for the environment and cause air pollution.

Complete step by step answer:
Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy like coal, natural gas and crude oil. Over time the organic matter got deposited in the earth surface and due to applied pressure and heat, the organic matter changed into fossil fuels in hundreds of years. These fuels have high carbon content. Fossil fuel combustion results in releasing harmful gases into the environment. They are available in limited quantities and can take thousands of years to replenish it. Few disadvantages are listed below-
When we burn fossil fuel a large amount of carbon dioxide is released. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which traps heat in earth’s atmosphere. This leads to an overall rise in overall temperature of earth. We can see the effect of global warming in the form of climatic change or melting of snow peaks and so on. They increase the level of environmental pollution.
On burning fossil fuels like coal and diesel, harmful byproducts like unburnt carbon particles, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide gas are released. They are suffocating in nature and often cause respiratory diseases. When these gases mix with rain, they lead to acid rain which decreases soil fertility.
Combustion also affects the water bodies and makes them more acidic. This endangers the marine flora and fauna.

Note:
To decrease the environmental pollution particularly the air pollution various alternatives like renewable energies like wind energy and solar energy in various technologies like solar cell and CNG which produces less harmful gases are promoted.