Fossil Fuels | Fossil Fuels Damage

When homo sapiens first discovered that coal could be used for a heat source, it started
the long, and inevitable, evolution of destroying the atmosphere of this planet. Our
global society is now suffering the effects of the damage to the world from fossil fuels.
It is now more important than ever to find a viable alternative for producing electricity
for powering transportation, and heating our homes and cooking our foods.

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel, and was the first of its kind to be used for heating
and cooking. Around 1000 BCE is when it was first used as a fuel in China. When the steam
engine came into being, coal was used primarily as the fuel that heated the water. Long
thick black clouds of smoke trailed behind the locomotives leaving toxic chemicals in their
wake. Little did anyone know at the time that they were systematically destroying the earth's
Ozone layer.

The first oil wells were dug in China around 347 AD where they attached bits to the end of
bamboo shafts. The first oil wells dug in the United States were actually an undesirable
by-product from digging brine wells in Pennsylvania. Surprisingly, the first oil wells were
commercially operated for use of the crude oil in medicine. There were no automobiles, back then.

The invention of the horseless carriage brought in many oil wells, because these conveyances
started out with a choice of steam, gasoline or diesel engines. When it became obvious that
a fuel source for steam was impractical, the combustion engine replaces steam, and motorists
began lining up at service stations to refill their automobiles.

With each generation, and new types of inventions for transportation, it seemed the planet
was doomed to self-destruction due to its need for speed and convenience. As a result,
waterways and agricultural centers began to suffer the consequences of burning fossil fuels,
and the cost of human health was the highest price paid.

Coal brought on a medical condition known as "Black Lung" which the coal miners circumed to,
and acid rain is a result of the combined effects of industry smoke stacks and automobile usage.
Countless species of wildlife have vanished because of the pollutants dumped in their natural
habitats, and numerous damage has been done to the fishing industry from water runoff of
petrochemical contaminants.

City dwellers are being diagnosed with respiratory ailments at an increasingly alarming rate,
and terms like "Air Quality Alert" have be put in place to warn citizens of the higher content
of particulates in the air. Oil spills have polluted and destroyed many of the coastal regions
fishing and wildlife trade, and global warming is a major factor in the harmful effects of
fossil fuels.

Although some of the fuels being used offer claim of being a 'cleaner burn', they still release
harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Natural gas is said to burn cleaner, and alcohol become
mostly a compound water molecule when a flame is applied. The fact remains that the "Greenhouse
Effect" is endangering the entire planet with pollution that isn't necessary. There are already
alternatives power sources, but the industry has yet to put enough effort behind them to have
a significant impact on recovery.

Solar power offers the best hope for alternative energy. It's clean, causes no harmful gases, and
is becoming much more affordable even for the homeowner than it ever was before. This photovoltaic
process is making great strides in bridging the gap between increasing demands on power sources,
and finding a replacement that presents no harmful health conditions.

Numerous world governments are increasing their efforts to develop their solar industry in an
effort to supply electricity to their remote regions, where there is currently no source of electric
power. Solar farms are being installed and tested at many world university facilities for further
research and development.

Current uses of power from the sun are available for purchase which are being used to replace
electrical needs where once it required a buried electric wire and conduit. Walk ways are being
lighted at night with solar fixtures and small panels are powering the LED replacements of the
incandescent and gas burning security lighting systems.

There is viable hope for humanity to reverse the damage to the world from fossil fuels, if only
they will push for a more determined effort by law makers and industry. The world may never be a
safer place, but it can most certainly be a healthier planet for all lifeforms. If the sun powers
vegetation, and provides the food needed for nutrition, then there is no reason why the sun can't
provide all of the earth's power needs.

Damage To The World From Fossil Fuels