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Fossil Fuels and Our Carbon Footprint

Fossil Fuels and Our Carbon Footprint. Human fossil fuel use. Fossil Fuels. Formed hundreds of millions of years ago in the Carboniferous Period Lots of vegetation died and sank to bottom of swamps

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Fossil Fuels and Our Carbon Footprint

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  1. Fossil Fuels and Our Carbon Footprint Human fossil fuel use

  2. Fossil Fuels • Formed hundreds of millions of years ago in the Carboniferous Period • Lots of vegetation died and sank to bottom of swamps • Formed spongy layer of peat that got compressed into sedimentary rock…layer after layer compresses further to form fossil fuels • Three major fossil fuels: • Coal • Oil • Natural gas

  3. Coal • Mined throughout the world • Pumped underground as “slurry”  coal mixed with water • Delivered through pipelines to power plants and factories • Conversion of coal to electricity • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_CcrgKLyzc

  4. Oil • Photosynthetic diatoms die and fall to ocean floor • Buried in sedimentary rock • Pressure turned diatoms into oil and natural gas that is found in pockets • Coal can be distilled into oil  petroleum oil • Travels via pipelines and ships • Refineries change crude oil into • Fertilizers, clothes, plastics, gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, etc…

  5. Natural Gas Found in “seeps” Oil was ignited likely by lightning and natural gas was trapped b/w sedimentary rock Made of methane (CH4) Highly flammable No odor or color…before sent to pipeline it is mixed with a highly odorous chemical (“rotten egg smell”)

  6. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Fossil Fuels • Advantages: • Relatively abundant • Inexpensive • Cost-effective/efficient • High energy release through burning fossil fuels • Disadvantages • Pollution (global warming contributor?) • Potential for danger (explosions, mining accidents, oil spills) • Environmental effects • Non-renewable

  7. Interesting Facts To run a 100 Watt light bulb 24 hrs/day for a year it takes 325 kg (714 lbs) of coal! 1 L gasoline = 23.5 tons of deposited organic material

  8. Ways to reduce our carbon footprint Reduce, reuse, recycle Use less heat and air conditioning Change light bulbs (replace incandescent bulbs w/compact fluorescent bulbs which use 2/3 less energy, give off less heat, and last 10x longer) Drive less, drive smart – inflate tires, change oil Buy energy efficient products Use less hot water Use the off switch Plant a tree Others!

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