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Fossil Fuels and Our Carbon Footprint

Fossil Fuels and Our Carbon Footprint. Human fossil fuel use. Fossil Fuels. Dead dinosaurs and plants rot “stored sunlight” Takes millions of years to make NOT renewable Three major fossil fuels: Coal (solid) Oil, aka, petroleum (liquid) Natural gas (gas, can be liquified ).

colby-riley
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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 • Dead dinosaurs and plants rot • “stored sunlight” • Takes millions of years to make • NOT renewable • Three major fossil fuels: • Coal (solid) • Oil, aka, petroleum (liquid) • Natural gas (gas, can be liquified)

  3. Energy from Fossil Fuels • Burning FF’s is very exothermic • Produces a lot of heat • Coal is used in power plants • Youtube video • Petroleum products are good for transportation • Nat’l gas is used in homes

  4. Misc • FF’s produce about 75% of our energy! • Cheaply • Change in policy has HUGE economic effects • Petroleum is a crucial plastics precursor • Natural gas is on the rise • U.S. independence • “Fracking” issues • Drilling and mining issues • Pollution • Dangers

  5. Relationship to GW • FF’s produce heat during combustion • CH4 + O2 CO2 + H2O • Burning 1 gallon of gasoline  approx. 20 lbs of CO2 • CO2 is a known greenhouse gas • Greenhouse Effect is not controversial • Greenhouse gases may contribute to Climate Change • Aka, Global Warming

  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 rotted dinosaur • 1 gallon = approx 4 liters

  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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