What are the negative impacts of using non- renewable sources of energy? Provide six facts.
Answers
Explanation:
In a Flash
Factory Pollution
Carbon dioxide is produced from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas.
What is non-renewable energy?
Non-renewable energy is a source of energy that will eventually run out. Most sources of non-renewable energy are fossil fuels, such as coal, gas, and oil.
These natural resources are a major source of power for a vast amount of industries – however, there are numerous downsides to non-renewable energy, including their negative environmental impact and the fact they are in limited supply.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions :-
Non renewable energy typically releases carbon dioxide, methane, and other gasses into the atmosphere. These are called greenhouse gasses because, similar to the way a greenhouse creates a warm atmosphere for plants, the gasses create a warming effect across the planet. Different types of fuels release different levels of greenhouse gasses, with coal producing the highest amount. Natural gas, which releases the least amount when it is burned, is often considered a safer choice. However, this type of gas releases a large amount of methane — a potent greenhouse gas — when it is extracted. As we burn more non renewable fuels, we continue heating the planet, which contributes to changing weather patterns that in turn affect food production, animal ecosystems, and essential biodiversity within habitats.
Air Pollution :-
As fossil fuels and other non renewables burn, they also release pollutants that can make it more difficult to breathe. Coal produces mercury, which then floats through the air and is either breathed in or deposited in waterways, where fish and other sources of food will ingest it. Mercury can cause neurological defects in children and become poisonous if eaten, making air pollution a real concern. In addition to mercury, fossil fuels may also release sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, all of which can cause breathing issues and other health concerns. As more non renewable energy is burned, the quality of our air will continue to decline, forcing more and more people to take otherwise unnecessary measures to protect their health.
Water Pollution :-
Water pollution can take many forms. One of these, acid rain, occurs when sulphur and other chemicals permeate the atmosphere. The mild acidity they cause in rain can corrode machinery, disrupt animal environments, and damage trees. Water pollution can also occur when the water changes temperature as a result of non renewable resource use. For example, power plants use water to cool the plant as it operates. When that water is released back into the environment, its cooler temperature can negatively impact wildlife. Warmer waters, meanwhile, may decrease the fertility of fish or cause them to change their migration patterns, impacting coasting towns that depend on fishing for survival and changing familiar ecosystems for other wildlife.
Land Pollution :-
The extraction processes of non renewable resources can have devastating effects on the land. Surface mining requires large amounts of rock and soil to be dumped in other locations to access the coal beneath. This changes habitats and ecosystems in unexpected ways and can cause animals to relocate. Mining also damages the quality of the soil and sometimes becomes polluted because of the chemicals used in the process, particularly when fracking is used to harvest fuels. This can poison plants that serve as sources of food for wildlife and may also make the soil unusable for farming, exacerbating food shortages throughout the world and leading to higher food prices in other areas.
Oil Spills and Accidents :-
Mining, extracting, and transporting fossil fuels can lead to damaging accidents. Oil spills are particularly devastating. They can drive away tourists and sea life alike, severely impacting coastal economies that depend on these industries. Changes in sea life can also lead to the loss of food sources and habitats for various other species. Other accidents include pipeline leaks, nuclear meltdowns, and even explosions, all of which can seriously harm people, animals, and the environment. The fallout from these events can often be catastrophic, requiring millions of dollars and permanently damaging parts of the environment, which can take decades to begin recovering.