explore problems associated with using fossil fuels for energy
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Burning fossil fuels – gas, coal, oil and more recently shale gas – are considered the most economic ways to generate electricity.
Fossil fuel however, is a finite resource, the cost of which increases sharply as the availability decreases. They become more difficult to mine as reserves are diluted.
But while they still account for most of the electricity produced in the UK, there are major problem areas such as security of supply and environmental factors:
We rely primarily on foreign imports of coal, oil and gas – all subject to world-market forces of supply and demand. It means the cost of the electricity is tied to the price of the fuel used to produce it. And the more we import, the more control we lose over our ability to set a fair price for the electricity we consume. The trend, as we all know too well, is increasingly expensive bills. What’s more, having to rely on imports means we have less security of supply. As such, we are increasingly dependent upon good relations with other countries for supply.
Pollution
The release of hazardous chemicals from fossil fuel combustion cause unknown quantities of people to be diagnosed with ailments such as heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease and developmental impairments – especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly [1]. Toxins include oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur (SOx), and fine particulates which cannot be filtered, including heavy metals. Dioxins, also formed during combustion are known carcinogens.
All of these are carried far from the stack and are thought to contribute, to a degree to reduced quality of life for asthma sufferers for example. Fly ash, which is laden with toxic heavy metals, is disposed by landfill.
In addition, fossil fuels produce vast quantities of ‘greenhouse gases’ most notably CO2 (Carbon Dioxide). This doesn’t sit well with targets to cut CO2 emissions.

Fossil fuel however, is a finite resource, the cost of which increases sharply as the availability decreases. They become more difficult to mine as reserves are diluted.
But while they still account for most of the electricity produced in the UK, there are major problem areas such as security of supply and environmental factors:
We rely primarily on foreign imports of coal, oil and gas – all subject to world-market forces of supply and demand. It means the cost of the electricity is tied to the price of the fuel used to produce it. And the more we import, the more control we lose over our ability to set a fair price for the electricity we consume. The trend, as we all know too well, is increasingly expensive bills. What’s more, having to rely on imports means we have less security of supply. As such, we are increasingly dependent upon good relations with other countries for supply.
Pollution
The release of hazardous chemicals from fossil fuel combustion cause unknown quantities of people to be diagnosed with ailments such as heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease and developmental impairments – especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly [1]. Toxins include oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur (SOx), and fine particulates which cannot be filtered, including heavy metals. Dioxins, also formed during combustion are known carcinogens.
All of these are carried far from the stack and are thought to contribute, to a degree to reduced quality of life for asthma sufferers for example. Fly ash, which is laden with toxic heavy metals, is disposed by landfill.
In addition, fossil fuels produce vast quantities of ‘greenhouse gases’ most notably CO2 (Carbon Dioxide). This doesn’t sit well with targets to cut CO2 emissions.

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