The Effects of Non-renewable Energy Sources on the Environment.
- Acid rain (SO2, Sulphur dioxide) is produced when burning fossil fuels..
- Greenhouse gas (CO2, Carbon Dioxide) is produced when burning fossil fuels.
- Can produce intense amounts of radioactivity when burning nuclear.
- Coal can produce a high level of radiation.
- Mining (in particular open cast mining) can destroy natural habitats and visual pollution
- Oil spills can cause serious damage to our environment. (Eg Gulf of Mexico spill)
- Natural gas is highly flammable and possibly explosive.
- Leakage of nuclear materials can have a impact on people & the environment. (Eg Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986, Fukushima in 2011)
- Burning petroleum products produce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) which contributes to smog (ground level ozone)
- Fracking is one thing that they do to get natural gas and it contaminates the groundwater that causes health problems for humans and wildlife.
- Mercury (not the planet) is released when coal is burned – linked to neurological and developmental problems in humans.
- The world’s cities occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth’s land, but account for 60-80 per cent of energy consumption and 75 per cent of carbon emissions.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z8k9v9q/revision/2
http://www.ecolife.com/blog/energy/environment-and-non-renewable-energy.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z8k9v9q/revision/2
http://www.ecolife.com/blog/energy/environment-and-non-renewable-energy.html
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