Fossil Fuel Dependency and AmericansThe purpose of this paper is to look at some of the environmental issues that Americans face today stemming from fossil fuel dependency. Rapid industrialization and social change have raised the standard of living for millions of American people. Because of this higher standard of living, American's face many critical issues pertaining to the environment due to fossil fuel dependency. Fossil fuel dependency is a major contributing factor to air pollution. If this country does not get a hold on the air pollution issue due to fossil fuel dependency it will become a challenging issue for the country, and could put a strain on the entire world.
Americans rely heavily on fossil fuels i.e. coal, petroleum etc. Fossil fuels are burnt for their energy value and used for electricity, power plants, and automobiles and so forth. Refined fossil fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel that are burned by motor vehicles, aircraft, tanker ships etc.
Hardy - Halszka
An oxyfuel CCS power plant operation filters the e...
Mohave Generating Station, a 1,580 MW thermal powe...cause the air to be polluted with unhealthy toxins. Burning fossil fuel releases large quantities of carbon dioxide (C02), a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere affecting the environment. Demirbas, A. (2006) "Currently, it is estimated that CO2 contributes about 50% to the anthropogenic greenhouse effect."Some major sources of air pollution due to fossil fuel dependency in large cities are power plants and vehicle emissions. Increasing problems associated with industrial growth and the fossil fuel dependency threatens the wellbeing of the country. Americans place a huge demand on power plants for electricity used in businesses and households that is creating more air pollution. Automobiles use petroleum which also adds to air pollution issues by way of vehicle emissions. Dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and other harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere create issues with smog and the ozone.