Question

What are the environmental consequences of using fossil fuels? Suggest the steps to minimize the pollution caused by various sources including non-conventional sources of energy.

Answer 1

Hint: Fossil fuels are fuels that are formed due to the decomposition of the dead plants and animals. Fossil fuels are burnt and the energy produced is used for various purposes. When these fuels are burnt, they liberate many harmful gases.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Let us first understand what fossil fuels are.
Fossil fuels are fuels that are formed due to the decomposition of the dead plants and animals. The four types of fossil fuels are petroleum, coal, natural gas, and Orimulsion.
Petroleum is formed from the dead remains of plants and coal formed from the dead animals.
Fossil fuels are burnt and the energy produced is used for various purposes. Hence, fossil fuels are sources of energy. Fossil fuels are one of the primary sources of energy.
Although fossil fuels help in a lot of activities, they have a lot of disadvantages.
The use of fossil fuels causes many environmental problems. When fossil fuels are burnt, they liberate many greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. They also liberate nitrogenous gases. These gases absorb heat and increase the temperature of the earth. This is the main reason for global warming.
Therefore, the use of fossil fuels causes global warming, air pollution, and acid rain.
Here are some steps to minimize the pollution caused by various sources of energy.
(i) Avoid or reduce the use of non-renewable sources of energy that cause pollution. Make more use of renewable sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower.
(ii) Minimise the liberation of smoke and energy consumed.
(iii) Good maintenance of machines for better efficiency.

Note: Not all sources of energy are sustainable and available to us infinitely. And hence, their usage has to be regulated if they are to be conserved for future generations and alternate sources have to be discovered. The usage of resources, which are under the danger of possible extinction can be limited. More knowledge and information regarding alternate sources can be acquired and this further aids in locating renewable sources and harnessing them.