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To better appreciate or understand the environmental benefits of renewable energy, knowing the environmental impact of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas is important. It is the gas emissions emitted by these non-renewable energy source when burned that contributes to climate change, acid rain, haze, and smog in the atmosphere. Worst of all, these pollutants can affect all living things, including human beings who are further endangered by there food sources which can also be affected such as animals, fish, and plants. To reduce the effect of gas emissions from industrial plants, transportation vehicles, and power plants using fossil fuels, gas emission control devices or filters are installed as required by the Environmental Protection Agency.

When oil is burned as fuel it emits nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. Also methane and mercury compounds are emitted. Coal when burned as fuel emits carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury compounds, methane, and ash. Ash from burned coal is made up of metal oxides and alkali. Natural gas as fuel is the most preferred of the fossil fuels used today because it has the least toxic gas emissions as compared to coal and oil. It is considered the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel if you can call it that.

Renewable energy has significantly low or no gas emissions at all. Unfortunately, more use of renewable energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels needs to be done to really enjoy completely the healthful effects of an environmentally clean air. Only about 18% of global energy consumption comes from renewable energy. More hydroelectric plants should be built where feasible. The use of biomass such as wood, wood waste, and waste from plants, trees, and food is a source of renewable energy that literally recycles waste into useful energy. Biomass when burned emits carbon dioxide but is part of the ecological carbon cycle. It is absorb by plants and trees and released when they turn into biomass fuel. Methane is a byproduct of biomass when it is left to rot but using it for fuel will burn together with the biomass. Methane if not eliminated by use or burning contributes to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

From the sun to the plants, trees, and biodegradable matters are the sources of renewable energy, making them the best bet in reducing our dependency on fossil fuel which contributes to the pollution of our environment. Man will live a little longer if the air we breathe is cleanse by the reduced use of it by continually researching and developing the use of renewable energy. How comforting would it be if the health of humanity is free from the negative health effects of gas emissions and other toxic wastes derived from the use of fossil fuels? Our efforts in more use of renewable energy will actually be more economically sound as it reduces the cost of regulating the toxic effects of fossil fuels to our environment.

Learn more about this author, D. O'Larde.
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