Impacts of Fossil Fuels on the Environment Social Sciences Essay (Essay Sample)

IMPACTS OF FOSSIL FUEL ON THE ENVIRONMENT
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Impacts of Fossil Fuels on the Environment
Historically, fossil fuel has been the major source of energy used around the world. However, fossil fuel is a nonrenewable source of energy, and it is attributed to a wide range of environmental pollution. Fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases which pollute the environment leading to undesirable phenomena including climate change and global warming. The extraction, transportation, and combustion of fossil fuel have negative impacts on the environment.
The underground mining of coal may affect the surface and subsurface water flow especially when the mines collapse. Also, when abandoned coal mines are not well managed, they trap water which becomes highly acidic and concentrated with heavy metals. This water may contaminate the ecosystem. Alternatively, surface mining entails the removal of topsoil, and sometimes the removal of vegetations and forests on mountain tops. Similarly, oil and gas drilling use large amounts of water which finally goes to waste. Also, during drilling, the underground water which is highly concentrated with heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and radioactive materials is brought to the surface leading to environmental pollution. The methane emissions during the drilling process contribute to global warming.