Nitrogen oxides emitted from fossil fuels in automobile and truck exhaust are the leading cause of pollution. In addition to hurting the air we breathe, atmospheric nitrogen pollution harms the water and land surrounding us (US EPA, 2013). Nitrogen is released into the environment due to many human activities, including energy production, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture. The presence of this Nitrogen could disrupt the natural equilibrium. During the combustion of fossil fuels, nitrogen oxides are produced and emitted into the atmosphere contributing to acid rain and smog formation (US EPA, 2013). It is possible to convert biomass directly into “biofuels,” liquid fuels that potentially replace traditional fossil fuels in the transportation industry (Department of Energy, n.d.-a). Biofuels offer a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to the increasingly depleting supply of fossil fuels. This paper will justify biofuel as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Uses of Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are a nonrenewable energy source; they formed when ancient plants and animals died and were eventually buried (Department of Energy, n.d.-b). Burning fossil fuels was the principal source of approximately three-quarters of all human-caused emissions over the previous two decades. Plastics are produced from the byproducts of the refining process, ethane, and propane. The engines in our cars are powered by gasoline derived from crude oil. It is impossible to quickly resolve complex traffic bottlenecks and significant automobile emissions (Wang et al., 2019). Agriculture and the use of internal combustion engines in automobiles, trains, airplanes, and ships account for around 29% of all fossil fuels consumed (Department of Energy, n.d.-b). In modern civilization, the energy that lights our houses and the transportation we travel to work depend on fossil fuels. Therefore, fossil fuels are widely used today.
Impact of the Use of Fossil Fuels
Climatic Impact
Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is emitted into the atmosphere significantly whenever fossil fuels are burned. Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect caused by the emission of certain gases into the atmosphere. The widespread use of fossil fuels to generate electricity has resulted in an alarming increase in toxic gases (Karmaker et al., 2020). When fossil fuels are burned, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are released, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. The exploitation of fossil fuels from territory owned by the federal government accounts for nearly a quarter of all emissions in the United States. A rise in sea level, extreme weather, and ocean acidification are all externalities of the climate caused by the usage of fossil fuels (ClientEarth Communications, 2022).
Environmental Externalities
When fossil fuels are burned, pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and mercury are produced; these pollutants negatively affect the environment and human health. Air pollution from fossil fuels has several adverse impacts, including acid rain, eutrophication, harm to agriculture and forests, and extinction of wildlife. The usage of fossil fuels, which includes anything from fracking fluids to oil tank leaks, is primarily responsible for water pollution. Each fracking well requires between 1.5 and 16 million gallons of water, and the resulting wastewater is frequently hazardous since it contains contaminants such as arsenic, lead, chlorine, and mercury (Bertrand, 2021). Each year, humans generate 300 million tons of waste, of which 14 million tons wind up in the ocean, killing species and contaminating food supplies (Bertrand, 2021).
Health Externalities
The pollution caused by fossil fuel combustion can lead to several health problems, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death. Burning gasoline additives, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, produces carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons and ultra-fine particles. The scented air pollutants benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes are derived from fossil fuels (Niu et al., 2022). Pollution from fossil fuels is responsible for one out of every five deaths around the planet. Estimates indicate that 350,000 Americans died prematurely in 2018 due to pollution caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, with Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia having the highest death rates (Bertrand, 2021). The annual cost of using fossil fuels to power the United States is predicted to reach $886,5 billion. Fossil fuels’ adverse environmental and health effects disproportionately impact poor and minority groups. People of color in the United States are disproportionately exposed to high levels of particulate matter pollution, with black Americans having an excess of 56% and Hispanics receiving an excess of 63% (Bertrand, 2021).
Risks of Fossil Fuel Extraction
Frequently, the extraction process generates harmful chemicals that harm both the residents and the surrounding pollution. Accidents and spills are expected during the delivery of fuels from the mine or well, and they can considerably increase air pollution. When these fuels are consumed, they release hazardous substances that contribute to global warming. The waste materials themselves pose hazards to the environment and environmental health. Nonetheless, the direct and indirect effects of extraction have the potential to cause irreparable harm to ecosystems. Direct effects include noise pollution, visual and auditory disturbances, and harm to local environments. Human extraction of once-wild regions, the introduction of dangerous foreign species and infections, deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and illegal hunting are examples of indirect consequences. These variables contribute to population reduction and socioeconomic shifts. Transporting gas and oil can contribute to environmental problems such as deforestation, water contamination, and soil erosion, particularly in nations with weak governments. Spills are capable of causing substantial damage to the maritime environment. However, by promoting other threats, such as deforestation caused by road development, F.F. extraction could significantly impact biodiversity.
Finite Amount of Fossil Fuel
Over millions of years, layers of rock and soil buried the remains of extinct prehistoric plants and animals. Over millions of years, the heat and pressure of the Earth’s crust transformed these organisms into oil, natural gas, and coal. These fuels are classified as fossil fuels derived from extinct species. The possibility of discovering natural gas and oil resources increases as we go deeper. The peak of world demand has yet to be reached. Annually, the proportion of fossil fuels consumed rises with the global energy demand. The amount of fossil fuels utilized on Earth is limited. Coal, oil, and natural gas will eventually run out, although the timeframe is undetermined and spans between 50 and 200 years (Baatesman, 2022). Despite commendable efforts to restrict consumption, the worldwide demand for fossil fuels is increasing and shows no indication of abating.
Advantages of Biofuels
Biofuels can assist in reducing the usage of fossil fuels and, consequently, carbon dioxide emissions because they are carbon neutral. More specifically, the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere due to biofuel combustion is restricted to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the plant during photosynthesis (Hanaki & Portugal-Pereira, 2018). By eliminating the need for fossil fuels, biofuels can halt climate change by reducing emissions of conventional and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution, depletion of nonrenewable resources, and reliance on unreliable foreign sources.
In comparison to the environmental impact of using fossil fuels, the environmental impact of using biofuels can be reduced by a factor of 8 to 16. Utilizing biogas or biofuel has the apparent advantage of being more environmentally sustainable than fossil fuels. As a result of their limited supply, fossil fuels will eventually run out. In contrast, biofuels are renewable resources derived from plant matter (Blog, 2021, sec.6). We can design plants to grow indefinitely so they can continue producing biofuel. In addition, a wide variety of biofuels derived from various plant sources are available. In contrast to conventional fossil fuels, biofuel uses are virtually limitless.
Expanding domestic biofuel production may reduce reliance on foreign fossil fuel imports. We may be more robust to supply disruptions if we generate and utilize more biofuels, thereby decreasing our reliance on imported fossil fuels (US EPA, 2019). Although decreasing oil prices would benefit American consumers, reducing our use could increase oil consumption in other countries.
Biodiesel is a renewable, domestically produced alternative to traditional diesel fuel and a type of biofuel. Using biodiesel as an environmentally friendly fuel has numerous benefits, including increased energy independence, enhanced air quality, and a reduced environmental environment. Pure biodiesel causes less environmental damage if spilled or released than petroleum diesel. Due to its safer combustibility, it is a more secure alternative to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel has a higher flashpoint than petroleum diesel, which is approximately 52 degrees Celsius (U.S. department of energy, 2019). Therefore, biofuels can be safely handled, stored, and transported.
Conclusion
Air pollution resulting from fossil fuel combustion endangers the environment and human health. Due to their scarcity, fossil fuels must be replaced by alternative fuels such as biofuels. However, the crops used to produce biofuels re-emit some carbon dioxide. Because of this, we consider biofuels to be carbon neutral. Biomass may be continually collected and utilized as a safer, more environmentally sustainable substitute for fossil fuels. Moreover, biofuels contribute to the sustainability and health of our planet, making them a more reliable and long-term fuel source than our rapidly diminishing fossil fuel supply.
References
Baatesman, C. (2022). We know fossil fuels are finite; now what? | Commentary. Orlando Sentinel. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/guest-commentary/os-op-fossil-fuels-finite-20220912-dxnsoso3xzffnoqszm2kuahkoi-story.html
Bertrand, S. (2021, December 17). Fact Sheet | Climate, Environmental, and Health Impacts of Fossil Fuels (2021) | White Papers | EESI. Www.eesi.org. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-climate-environmental-and-health-impacts-of-fossil-fuels-2021
Blog, D. M. Under. (2021, August 24). 7 Hidden Benefits of Using biofuel. DXP Enterprises. https://www.dxpe.com/7-hidden-benefits-of-using-biofuel/
ClientEarth Communications. (2022, February 18). Fossil fuels and climate change: the facts. ClientEarth. https://www.clientearth.org/latest/latest-updates/stories/fossil-fuels-and-climate-change-the-facts/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20link%20between
Department of Energy. (n.d.-a). Biofuel Basics. Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/biofuel-basics#:~:text=Unlike%20other%20renewable%20energy%20sources
Department of Energy. (n.d.-b). Fossil. Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/fossil#:~:text=Fossil%20energy%20sources%2C%20including%20oil
Hanaki, K., & Portugal-Pereira, J. (2018). The Effect of Biofuel Production on Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions. Science for Sustainable Societies, 53–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54895-9_6
Karmaker, A. K., Rahman, Md. M., Hossain, Md. A., & Ahmed, Md. R. (2020). Exploration and corrective measures of greenhouse gas emission from fossil fuel power stations for Bangladesh. Journal of Cleaner Production, 244, 118645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118645
Niu, Z., Wen, X., Wang, M., Tian, L., & Mu, L. (2022). Personal exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) mixture and telomere length: a cross-sectional study of the general US adult population. Environmental Research, 209, 112810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112810
U.S. department of energy. (2019). Alternative Fuels Data Center: Biodiesel Benefits. Energy.gov. https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.html
US EPA. (2019, January 29). Economics of Biofuels | US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/environmental-economics/economics-biofuels
US EPA, O. (2013, March 12). The Sources and Solutions: Fossil Fuels. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/sources-and-solutions-fossil-fuels#:~:text=When%20fossil%20fuels%20are%20burned
Wang, J., Wu, Q., Liu, J., Yang, H., Yin, M., Chen, S., Guo, P., Ren, J., Luo, X., Linghu, W., & Huang, Q. (2019). Vehicle emission and atmospheric pollution in China: problems, progress, and prospects. PeerJ, 7, e6932. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6932
write