Membership

Become A Member of the FFF

Membership Benefits

Download Membership Form

AfriCoal Energy Review™

Fossil Fuel Pros And Cons

Fossil fuels have revolutionized life on earth. We derive almost 90 percent of all energy from fossil fuels, which shows our over dependence on these non-renewable and fast depleting energy sources.

Fossil Fuel Advantages

There are a number of fossil fuel advantages over other sources of energy. The following are some of the advantages of fossil fuels:

  • Fossil fuels are immensely popular for their high calorific value, which means burning 1 gm of fossil fuel produces abundant energy. Thus, they are considered to be high efficient.
  • Fossil fuels are highly stable in nature compared to other fuels.
  • Fossil fuels have a vast potential to power the entire globe.
  • Fossil fuels like coal are available in abundance.
  • Infrastructure for fossil fuel energy is fully developed.
  • Fossil fuels are tried and tested, so there is a huge potential for sustainable development.
  • Transportation of liquid or gaseous fossil fuels is very easy.
  • Fossil fuels are cheaper than non-conventional forms of energy, as it is easy to extract and process them.

Fossil Fuel Disadvantages

However, there are several fossil fuel disadvantages, especially because of their over exploitation :

  • Although fossil fuels like oil and natural gas are available in abundance, their over exploitation has resulted in their substantial depletion.
  • Fossil fuels are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane which are negatively impacting the ozone layer, a protective cover above the earth that is essential for the survival of all species.
  • Fossil fuels also emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide which produce acid rain .
  • Fossil fuels, being the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, are responsible for global warming and climate change.
  • Extraction of fossil fuels threatens the ecological balance in many areas. For example, coal mining is also a reason for earthquakes.
  • Overexploitation of fossil fuels is fast leading to their depletion, as fossil fuels are non-renewable in nature.
  • Formation of fossil fuels takes millions of years.

The aforementioned fossil fuel advantages and disadvantages point out that we are extremely dependent on fossil fuels. In fact, the fossil fuel disadvantages are brought about because of their overexploitation and reckless use. Though alternative sources of energy promise a great future, their development and infrastructure will require lots of time and investment. As long as we can use fossil fuels efficiently and rationally, we will not face many problems.

The Fossil Fuel Foundation is one such endeavor in South Africa that enlightens educates people about efficient use of these invaluable sources. Become a member of the Fossil Fuel Foundation to save Earth's precious resources.