The Dark Side Of Fossil Fuel Plants: Pollution Levels Exposed

Fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths worldwide. In the United States, 350,000 premature deaths in 2018 were attributed to fossil fuel-related pollution, with Black and Hispanic Americans disproportionately affected. Fossil fuel companies remain huge polluters, producing and selling fossil fuel products while scientists say we need a mass switch to renewable energy and efficiency. Burning fossil fuels can cause multiple health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death.

Fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths globally

Burning fossil fuels is causing nearly one in five of all deaths worldwide. In 2018, more than eight million people died as a result of breathing in minute particulate matter from burning fossil fuels. This is almost twice the level previously estimated.

The environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels disproportionately harm communities of colour and low-income communities. Black and Hispanic Americans are exposed to 56% and 63% more particulate matter pollution, respectively, than they produce. In a predominantly Black and low-income area of Louisiana known as 'Cancer Alley', the cancer risk is nearly 50 times higher than the national average due to 150 nearby chemical plants and oil refineries.

In 2015, the world's governments signed up to the Paris Agreement, committing to reduce carbon emissions. However, a recent report by the UN Environment Programme shows that globally, we are on track to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil and gas by 2030 than we can burn if we are to limit global warming by 1.5C. Fossil fuel companies remain huge polluters, producing and selling fossil fuel products while scientists say we need a mass switch to renewable energy.

In 2020, 26 commercial CCS plants were in operation throughout the world, capturing 40 million tons of carbon, or 0.11% of total yearly global emissions.

Fossil fuel companies are huge polluters, despite advertising campaigns about low-carbon energy

In 2019, BP spent millions on an advertising campaign promoting its low-carbon energy and cleaner natural gas. However, the company has a history of oil spills, including the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill, which released 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This spill killed 11 people and countless birds, turtles, fish, marine mammals, and plants, and cost BP $65 billion in penalties and cleanup costs.

Fossil fuel pollution has severe environmental and health impacts, disproportionately harming communities of colour and low-income communities. Black and Hispanic Americans are exposed to 56% and 63% more particulate matter pollution, respectively, than they produce. In a predominantly Black and low-income area of Louisiana known as "Cancer Alley", the cancer risk is nearly 50 times higher than the national average due to 150 nearby chemical plants and oil refineries. Globally, fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths. In the United States alone, 350,000 premature deaths in 2018 were attributed to fossil fuel-related pollution.

Air pollution from burning fossil fuels can cause multiple health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death. The combustion of additives found in gasoline, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, produces cancer-causing ultra-fine particles and aromatic hydrocarbons. While efforts have been made to capture carbon emissions, such as the 26 commercial CCS plants in operation worldwide in 2020, capturing 40 million tons of carbon, more needs to be done to reduce the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuel pollution.

Fossil fuel extraction, transportation and refining can lead to oil spills that harm communities and wildlife

Oil spills are not the only way that fossil fuel extraction, transportation and refining harm communities and wildlife. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels can cause multiple health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death. In the United States, 350,000 premature deaths in 2018 were attributed to fossil fuel-related pollution. Black and Hispanic Americans are exposed to 56 and 63 percent more particulate matter pollution, respectively, than they produce. In a predominantly Black and low-income area of Louisiana known as “Cancer Alley,” the cancer risk is nearly 50 times higher than the national average due to 150 nearby chemical plants and oil refineries.

Fossil fuel companies remain huge polluters, producing and selling fossil fuel products while scientists say we need a mass switch to renewable energy and efficiency. In 2019, BP spent millions on an advertising campaign about its low-carbon energy and cleaner natural gas. However, the UN Environment Programme shows that globally, we are on track to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil and gas by 2030 than we can burn if we are to limit global warming by 1.5C.

Fossil fuel pollution disproportionately affects communities of colour and low-income communities

The health impacts of fossil fuel pollution are severe and wide-ranging. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels can cause multiple health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death. Combusting the additives found in gasoline—benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene—produces cancer-causing ultra-fine particles and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Oil spills, a common consequence of fossil fuel extraction, transportation, and refining, can also have devastating effects on communities and wildlife. The 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill, the largest in history, released 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 people and countless birds, turtles, fish, marine mammals, and plants. The spill cost BP $65 billion in penalties and cleanup costs.

The environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels disproportionately harm vulnerable communities, exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities. It is crucial to address these disparities and ensure that all communities have access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment, regardless of race or income level.

Fossil fuel plants produce and sell products while scientists say we need a mass switch to renewable energy

The environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels disproportionately harm communities of colour and low-income communities. Oil spills from fossil fuel extraction, transportation, and refining can harm communities and wildlife, destroy habitats, erode shorelines, and result in beach, park, and fishery closures. The largest oil spill in history, the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill, released 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 people and countless birds, turtles, fish, marine mammals, and plants. It cost BP $65 billion in penalties and cleanup costs.

Air pollution from burning fossil fuels can cause multiple health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death. Combusting the additives found in gasoline—benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene—produces cancer-causing ultra-fine particles and aromatic hydrocarbons. In 2015, the world's governments signed up to the Paris Agreement, committing to reduce carbon emissions. However, a recent report by the UN Environment Programme shows that globally, we are on track to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil and gas by 2030 than we can burn if we are to limit global warming by 1.5C.

In 2020, 26 commercial CCS plants were in operation throughout the world, capturing 40 million tons of carbon, or 0.11 per cent of total yearly global emissions. Several policy mechanisms have been proposed to reduce fossil fuel externalities, including eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, which could generate $35 billion in taxpayer savings over the next ten years.

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