Kiera Jefferson
Fossil fuels are key to industrialization and rising prosperity, but they have a significant impact on health and the climate. When burned, fossil fuels release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change. In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry, with coal being the most polluting energy source. The extraction and transportation of fossil fuels also pose major environmental and safety risks, including oil spills, water pollution, and air pollution, which have severe consequences for human health and the environment. As low-carbon sources of energy become more accessible, a rapid transition away from fossil fuels is necessary to mitigate the negative impacts on our planet and health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution | Asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death |
| Water pollution | Oil spills, fracking fluids, and toxic waste |
| Extreme weather | Wildfires, hurricanes, wind storms, flooding, and droughts |
| Sea level rise | Melting glaciers and land-based ice sheets |
| Acid rain | Nitrogen oxides and ammonia |
| Eutrophication | Excess nutrients that harm aquatic ecosystems by lowering oxygen levels |
| Global warming | Increase in average global temperature |
| Climate change | Dramatic changes to Earth's climate |
| Health risks | Respiratory and cardiovascular issues |
| Plastic pollution | 300 million tons of plastic waste produced globally each year |
| Coal waste | Coal ash and other toxic byproducts |
| Oil extraction risks | Oil spills and leaks from pipelines and wells |
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What You'll Learn
Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel
Fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming, and the primary driver of climate change. They are also responsible for air and water pollution, and the degradation of landscapes and ecosystems. The fossil fuel industry leases vast stretches of land for infrastructure, such as wells, pipelines, and access roads, as well as facilities for processing, waste storage, and waste disposal.
Coal is a fossil fuel and is considered the dirtiest of them all. It is a solid, carbon-heavy rock that comes in four main varieties: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. Nearly all of the coal burned in the United States is sub-bituminous or bituminous. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel we can burn and is responsible for over 0.3 degrees Celsius of the 1-degree increase in global average temperatures. It emits much more greenhouse gas than other sources—more than a hundred times more than nuclear.
Coal is extracted via two methods: underground mining and surface mining (also known as strip mining). Both forms of mining are detrimental to the environment, but strip mining is particularly destructive, uprooting and polluting entire ecosystems. Even after mining operations cease, the nutrient-leached land will never fully recover. As a result, critical wildlife habitats are fragmented and destroyed, and animals are forced to compete with existing wildlife for resources in less-than-ideal habitats.
Burning coal releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to global warming, the formation of smog and acid rain, and the contamination of waterways with pollutants linked to cancer, birth defects, and neurological damage.
The use of coal and other fossil fuels has had a significant impact on humanity and the environment. It is important to transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources to reduce these harmful effects and protect future generations.
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Oil spills and water pollution
Oil spills are a major source of water pollution. Oil spills became a significant environmental concern in the 1960s due to intensified petroleum exploration and the use of supertankers for oil transportation. While stringent shipping and environmental regulations have reduced the occurrence of large-scale oil spills, thousands of minor and several major spills are still reported annually, with over a million metric tons of oil released into the oceans each year. Oil spills can harm marine wildlife, ruin beaches, and make seafood unsafe to eat. They can also have economic consequences, impacting tourism, commerce, and industries that rely on seawater.
Oil spills occur during the transportation and transfer of oil, with each additional transfer increasing the risk of a spill. Natural seepage from the ocean floor and underwater oil seeps also contribute to oil pollution in the world's waterways. Oil spills can contaminate beaches and sediments, harming marine wildlife such as fish, birds, and mammals. Oil spreads quickly over the water surface, blocking light from reaching photosynthetic plants and reducing the level of dissolved oxygen in the water.
Crude oil can ruin the insulating and waterproofing properties of feathers and fur, leading to hypothermia in affected birds and marine mammals. Ingesting oil can be toxic to these animals, and damage to their habitats can slow the long-term recovery of their populations. Oil spills also damage plant life, with saltwater marshes and mangroves being particularly vulnerable.
The cleanup of oil spills is challenging, and complete removal of spilled oil is often impossible. Scientists must carefully consider the potential environmental impacts of their chosen cleanup methods to avoid causing further harm. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for the costs of cleanup and restoration.
In summary, oil spills are a significant source of water pollution, causing environmental, ecological, and economic damage. The transportation and transfer of oil pose a high risk of spills, and natural seepage also contributes to oil pollution in waterways. Oil spills have devastating consequences for marine life, plant life, and human activities. Cleaning up oil spills is a complex task, and the responsible parties can be held liable for the financial burden of restoration projects.
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Air pollution and health risks
Fossil fuel combustion is the leading cause of environmental threats to global pediatric health and equity. The emissions from fossil fuels include toxic air pollutants and carbon dioxide, which is the most important human-produced climate-altering greenhouse gas. The burning of fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, contributing to smog and acid rain formation.
Fossil fuel air pollution is responsible for a significant number of premature deaths worldwide. A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, from burning fossil fuels caused approximately 8.7 million deaths globally in 2018. This figure represents about one in every five deaths worldwide, a much higher number than suggested by previous research. The health impacts of fossil fuel pollution are not limited to mortality but also include respiratory illness, heart disease, asthma, and cancer.
The effects of fossil fuel air pollution disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color. For example, in "Cancer Alley," a predominantly Black and low-income area of Louisiana, the cancer risk is nearly 50 times higher than the national average due to the proximity of numerous chemical plants and oil refineries. Additionally, Black and Hispanic Americans are exposed to significantly more particulate matter pollution than they produce.
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources offers immediate health benefits. This transition can help prevent premature deaths attributed to fossil fuel pollution and reduce the incidence of respiratory and other chronic diseases. Improving energy efficiency and buying renewable energy are effective strategies for reducing air pollution and its associated health risks.
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Global warming and climate change
Fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming and climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), composed of leading climate scientists, has found that fossil fuels are the primary cause of global warming. In 2019, they accounted for 74-75% of the greenhouse gas released into our atmosphere and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. The burning of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
The effects of burning fossil fuels are having far-reaching consequences on our climate and ecosystems. The average global temperature has already increased by 1°C, surpassing the critical 1.5°C threshold for the first time in 2024. This warming has led to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, species extinction, food scarcity, and worsening health and poverty for millions worldwide. With each stage of the fossil fuel supply chain, from extraction and transportation to refining and burning, generating significant environmental and health costs.
The use of fossil fuels for electricity and heat production is the largest single source of global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 34% of 2019 emissions. Industry, transportation, and buildings are also significant contributors, with 24%, 15%, and 6% of global emissions, respectively. The burning of fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, releases hazardous pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and mercury, which are harmful to both the environment and human health. Globally, fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths, with 350,000 premature deaths attributed to it in the United States alone in 2018.
To limit global warming and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is imperative. The IPCC has stated that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by almost half by 2030 and as close to zero as possible by 2050. While governments have committed to reducing carbon emissions through agreements like the Paris Agreement, more urgent action is needed. Fossil fuel companies remain major polluters, and a mass shift towards renewable energy solutions is essential to combat global warming and climate change effectively.
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The future: renewable energy
Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. It is the dominant cause of global warming, with fossil fuels accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, responsible for over 0.3°C of the 1°C increase in global average temperatures. Oil releases a huge amount of carbon when burned, accounting for approximately one-third of the world's total carbon emissions. Natural gas, though promoted as a cleaner energy source, still accounts for a fifth of the world's total carbon emissions.
The use of fossil fuels has had a massive toll on humanity and the environment, from air and water pollution to global warming. Fossil fuel emissions must be halved within the next 11 years if global warming is to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, emissions need to be reduced by almost half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower, and geothermal power emit little to no greenhouse gases and are readily available. They are also in most cases cheaper than coal, oil, or natural gas. Renewable energy currently makes up about 26% to 29% of the world's electricity, and this share is expected to reach 30% by 2024. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 90% of the world's electricity can and should come from renewable energy by 2050.
Renewable energy technologies are experiencing rapid cost declines, with solar power costs falling by 85% between 2010 and 2020, and onshore and offshore wind energy costs falling by 56% and 48% respectively. This has led to a resurgence in renewable energy investments, with more than $1.7 trillion expected to be invested in wind, solar power, electric vehicles, and batteries globally in 2023. As a result, renewable energy sources are predicted to overtake coal as the world's largest source of electricity by 2025.
The future of energy is renewable, with falling prices, technological advancements, and environmental concerns driving the transition away from fossil fuels. This shift is already well underway in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere, with governments and private companies investing heavily in clean energy to cut carbon pollution and combat climate change.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are a major contributor to air pollution, with airborne nitrogen pollution affecting the quality of the air we breathe and also impacting the land and water. When burned, fossil fuels release nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of smog and acid rain.
Fossil fuels cause water pollution through oil spills and fracking fluids. Each fracking well uses between 1.5 million and 16 million gallons of water, and the resulting wastewater can be toxic, contaminating groundwater and drinking water. Oil spills can also harm animals and humans, impacting ecosystems for decades.
Fossil fuels are the largest driver of global climate change, with emissions from fossil fuels being the dominant cause of global warming. In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels, and the burning of fossil fuels has already caused a 1°C increase in global average temperatures.
