Fossil fuels are energy resources formed over millions of years from the remains of dead plants and animals buried underneath sediment and rock.These dead plants and animal matter were transformed into fossil fuels by subsequent decomposition without the presence of oxygen, combined with naturally occurring heat underneath the earth and pressure from rock and soil. They are used throughout the world to power everything from cars to light in the home. So here this article gives the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels to better understand this topic
Advantages of fossil fuels:
- Fossil fuels can generate a large amount of electricity at a single location.
- They have become safer over time.
- Despite being a finite resource, it is available in plenty.
- They are cost-effective.
- They can be found very easily.
- Transportation of oil and gas can be done easily with the help of pipelines.
Disadvantages of fossil fuels:
- Fossil fuels emit carbon when burnt which is a major greenhouse gas and the primary source of pollution.
- They are non-renewable resources, once used they cannot be replaced.
- The combustion of fossil fuels makes the environment more acidic. This has led to unpredictable and negative changes in the environment effect.
- Fossil fuels are highly susceptible to price fluctuation and market manipulation.
- Harvesting of fossil fuels also causes fatal diseases among people. The coal miners often suffer from black lung disease. The natural gas driller is constantly exposed to chemicals and silica which is dangerous for their health.
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