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Why it is important to phase out the fossil fuel industry

"During the past two decades, the risk and reality of environmental degradation have

become more apparent" (Dincer, 1999). A breakthrough in industrial terms gave a huge leap in

development, but this process wasn’t without serious problems. We haven’t been able to control

the excessive use of burned resources to provide the energy for revolutionary progress. For this

reason, the state of the environment has deteriorated sharply, and it has a very strong effect on

people. And also, the reserves of resources quickly dried up, which does not give the best

forecast for the future. The severity of the environmental and economic problems caused by

fossil fuels must be understood because they are directly related to the health and finances of the

person who consumes the burning resources. This essay firstly examines problems connected

with useful combustible materials, then focuses on solutions that may well help to eliminate the

consequences of the "industrial era".

A growing population requires more energy to maintain it. Therefore, energy shortage

requires more energy production by burning fossil fuels. In turn, incineration waste causes air

pollution. This cycle lasts for decades, and the environmental effect is crucial. According to

Dincer (1999), these consequences include acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, forest

destruction, radioactive pollution (p.846). For example, the ozone layer protects us from direct

ultraviolet rays, which causes cancer in our body. The global problem is ozone depletion because

of NOx, halons, and other forms of gas in burned fuels. In 1997, National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Nasa announced that the “ozone hole” over Antarctica

was 26.9 million km2, and the largest ever found (Dincer, 1999, p. 847). This is one example of

terrible air pollution disasters. Thus, we must grapple with the challenge of the industrial period

more actively than ever.

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Another problem relates to the large request for combustible resources all over the world.

Continued use of fossil fuels gives the expected effect – we will run out of them. The Director of

Biochemistry at the University of York claimed that one-day fossil fuels deposits will be used up,

but the world will be in no demand for them (Shafiee & Topal, 2009, p. 182). This reasoning

makes it clear that with a high probability we will overcome the energy crisis in the form of a

lack of fossil resources. However, to be ready for the recession we need to know when our

reserves will start to dwindle. In agreement with Shafiee and Topal (2009), fossil fuel reserves

depletion times are 40 years, 200 years, 70 years for oil, coal, and gas consumption respectively

(p. 186). This shows the potential of our nonrenewable resources, and how long we can rely on

them.

Biological technologies are the most potential choice for the early elimination of air

pollution. Van Groenestijn and Hesselink (1993) noted that

…biological purification of waste gasses is based on the absorption of volatile pollutants

in the aqueous phase or biofilm, followed by oxidation under the action of

microorganisms. (p. 283)

Based on how biofilters work, we can see that biological microorganisms oxidize

pollutants, and after losing structure they turn into harmless gasses. Such filters can be installed

in factories, plants, where waste is produced due to coal burning. For instance, more than 7500

biofilter reactors were placed in Europe to deal with polluted air (Fulazzaky et. al., 2013, p3602).

Also, this number has grown because of the “green technology” trend on a global scale.

Consequently, it gives a positive outlook on the future of global ecology.

Nowadays, one of the most important aspects of energy production is fossil fuel. But

shortly, as mentioned, we won’t have any fossil fuel deposits. So, the process of switching to

renewable energy production is principal for countries. According to Gross et al. (2009), some
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renewable technologies are close in price to fossil fuels. For example, solar photovoltaic energy

costs cheaper than coal, gas, but panel production is high in cost. This problem can be solved by

thin-film technology, and engineers expect to release it in 2025 (Gross et. al, 2009). Such

“in-processing” green technologies are expected in the next 20 years. Therefore, we need more

scientists to work and investors for green projects from scientists.

In conclusion, the worldwide industry based on fossil fuel production caused problems

due to its demand. Major damage was inflicted on the environment, and we can prevent further

destruction by using modern biological technologies such as biofilters. Also, a deposit of

resources is not eternal. This factor gives a logical solution to the problem - we can change the

source of production to renewable energy alternatives like solar panels, wind energy, etc.

Ecological and resource-based predictions for the current turnover of energy resources can be

very sad. So it is very essential to gradually change the energy spectrum of the economic sector

in a more environmentally friendly and green direction. We now have more technology potential

than ever to make it possible.

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References

Dincer, I. (1999). Environmental impacts of energy.

Energy Policy, 27(14), 845–854. doi:10.1016/s0301-4215(99)0006

Fulazzaky, M. A., Talaiekhozani, A., Ponraj, M., Abd Majid, M. Z., Hadibarata, T., & Goli, A.

(2003). Biofiltration process as an ideal approach to remove pollutants from polluted air.

Desalination and Water Treatment, 52(19-21), 3600–3615.

doi:10.1080/19443994.2013.85410

Gross, R., Leach, M., & Bauen, A. (2003). Progress in renewable energy. Environment

International, 29(1), 105–122. doi:10.1016/s0160-4120(02)00130

Shafiee, S., & Topal, E. (2009). When will fossil fuel reserves be diminished?

Energy Policy, 37(1), 181–189. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2008.08.01

Van Groenestijn, J. W., & Hesselink, P. G. M. (1993). Biotechniques for air pollution control.

Biodegradation, 4(4), 283–301. doi:10.1007/bf00695975