Introduction The development of industrialisation and advanced technology has played an important role in increasing energy consumption in the world. This increasing use of energy pattern has also brought a number of both environmental and human health problems such as greenhouse emissions. Despite this fact, most of the world’s energy is produced using fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. For example, in 2008, Australian energy production was 302.13 million tonnes of equivalent oils (Mtoe) while the consumption of energy was 240.40 terawatt hours (TWh) and these amounts of energy consumption and production caused 397.54 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (Mt CO2) emissions to the world’s atmosphere (Drachman & Richard, 2010, p. 48). In addition, million tonnes of equivalent can be defined as the unit of energy measurement that one Terrawatt hour (TWh) equal to 0.086 million tonnes of equivalent (Drachman & Richard, 2010, p. 60). However, Australia generated 10.7 per cent of its energy from renewable sources including wind, solar, biomass energies while coal was the major source of energy with 84.5 per cent, gas 5.1 per cent, and oil 0.3 per cent between 2000 and 2001 (McNeil & Cleaver, 2005, p. 7). On the other hand, there is no doubt that coal is very substantial energy resource in Australia because it has a huge amount of coal resources compared with other countries. It was estimated, in 2002, that proved resources was 101.9 billion tonnes and proved recoverable reserves was 78.5 billion tonnes with its ranking fifth in the world (Alan, & Judy, 2004, p. 18). The difference between proved resources and proved recoverable reserves can be defined as not all mineral resources can be extracted in terms of economic and technology ... ... middle of paper ... ...son, K., & Roberts, A. (2002). Australian energy: Key issues and outlook to 2019-20. Australian commodities, 9(1), 198-208. Drachman, & Richard, J. (2010). Key World Energy Statistics 2010. France: Soregraph. Klaes, G. D. (Ed.). (2010). Clean Coal Technologies. New York, the USA: Nova Science Publishers, Inc Kuwahata, R., & Monroy, C. R. (2011). Market stimulation of renewable-based power generation in Australia. Renewable & sustainable energy reviews, 15(1), 534-543. Little, M. G., & Jackson, R. B. (2010). Potential impacts of leakage from deep co2 geosequestration on overlying freshwater aquifers. Environmental science & technology, 44(23), 9225-9232. McNeil, L., Cleaver, C. (2005). Energy: Future Challenges (21st Ed.). Deakin West, A.C.T.,: Australian Science Teachers Association. Tollefson, J. (2011). Japan faces power struggle. Nature, 472(7342), 143-144.
It is made up of sedimentary and organic rock which is composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Coal is straight from the ground, which also gives many men and women jobs as well as risking their lives working on the unknown underground. There are multiple ways to convert coal into energy we use in an everyday basis. The first step is the first stage of turning coal into electricity, grinding the coal into fine powder and so forth. There are pros that come from the underground such as creating over four hundred thousand volts. As of today they are growing in large economies. They say, "the cheaper the better". In this case, using coal, "the cheaper it is, the less your guaranteed". More than 1.1 billion tons are being made as of 2007. An estimated five billion people work in China 's coal mining industry. As many as 20,000 miners die in accidents each year. Yes, they do give plenty of people the opportunity of some sort of work with good pay, but it has its downfall as well such as deaths, that are pretty unexplainable. The number one con that coal causes, has to be pollution. Pollution can start from anything like throwing a water bottle after a long practice, or chemically, like a cigarette you throw out of your car. Pollution is already exposed by the refineries, factories and diesel vehicles. Pollution is the start of what changes the color and texture of our land and ocean. The coal companies use water to create the steam in the boiler taking out water from a lake, after they are finished with the water from the boiler some toxins get in the water and released into our oceans and seas. Plus, the burning of coal which is called ash, that we humans inhale even though we might not see it. Think of it as a dark, smoky layer in the bubble called an atmosphere, and we are stuck standing in the middle. Some coal mining companies are getting a bargain on federal land and skirting export royalties,
Coal has a very negative impact on the environment, one of the main impacts on the environment is the actual process of extracting the coal from the ground. The two ways that coal is mined, underground and surface, both have different effects on the environment. The first way that coal is mined is by digging tunnels and creating mineshafts underground and then removing the coal from th...
Since, these two technology are the world fastest electricity generators; therefore, they are rapidly starts to grow particularly in Australia due to the environmental benefits and economics. Australia has the highest average of solar radiation and best solar energy resource in the world, which is used by more than 2 million of households. In 2015, approximately 14.6% of renewable energy is provided for 6.7 million average homes. Furthermore, regarding to the Australia government statistics, 2.4% of solar energy generated electricity in 2015. Moreover, 58 million of PJ solar radiations are receives per years, which are approximately 10 000 times larger than its total energy consumption. Alternatively, Wind energy is known as the fastest growing renewable energy source for electricity, and the current share of Australian primary energy consumption is approximately 4%. Most of the winds resources are obtain from particularly in south-western, southern and south eastern margins. In 2015, Australia's wind farms produced about 33.7% of clean energy with the total out of 20% of renewable energy and supplied 4.9% of electricity during the year. The use of wind energy in Australia is to pump bore water such as in rural
Coal production in the world has been a revolutionary aspect for humans. Life today as we know it is easy because of the significant impact coal had during the Industrial Revolution. Coal is namely one of the cheapest energy sources available on Earth when being compare to oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy but it creates a few problems when it’s used, specifically environmental ones. Nonetheless this energy resource has been a key concept for many countries as it has provided them with a booming economy. An example would be China who is one of the largest producers and consumers of this energy resource.
Specifically, in the United States, there has been an exponential increase in use of electricity over the past few decades. With technology advancing, everyone feels the need to stay up to standards. But, what comes with these new technologies is not as beneficial to the earth as they are to us. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently posted a “Guide to Purchasing Green Power” which explains that our electricity is mostly made through fossil or nuclear fuels that harm not only our environment but ourselves as well. Some examples of fossil fuels are coal, natural gas and petroleum. These electricity techniques give off lots of pollution and significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions (2). Looking specifically at coal, there are many ways in which it causes environmental issues. Herman Daly explains that to retrieve the coal, miners must take the coal out of the earth, which can leave the surface with detrimental issues. The leftover rock that was extruded with the coal is now contaminated and left in piles, which
• I will also discuss the exploration for crude oil, and the impending crisis if it continues to be used up at the current rates of consumption. ( is expected to exhaust the world’s supply by the mid-21st century) and possible energy alternatives.
Coal is the most important fossil fuel around the world and vital for its energy security. In the process of development, coal mining is one of the major industries, which is contributing towards the pollution of the environment. The power sector is the bigger consumer followed by industrial sector (steel and cement manufacturing units). It also assures the energy supply which is important for any country's development. Coal is still remains essential in producing a diverse and balanced energy mix. It is a major fuel generating electricity worldwide. Coal is poised with different toxins which affect the environment and one of the key challenges coal industries is facing today. Coal is less effective and energy efficient compared to other fossil
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, over half of the oil used in the USA is imported. Most of this imported oil is located in the middle east and is controlled by OPEC members. Subsequent oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly—about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008—and each major shock was followed by a recession (Reduce). We may never be able to fully eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand (Reduce). One way we can reduce our reliance on oil is through investing in renewable energy. Solar power, wind power, and hydro power are all forms of energy which come from renewable resources. Unlike oil, solar, wind and hydro electric power is abundant and can be obtained locally.
Energy-efficiency has become the talk of the town. Scientists, marketers, journalists, and politicians alike are showering praises on the new technologies that promise to revolutionize our planet. From "zero-emission" electric cars, to smart electric grids, to "green" laptops, high-tech "sustainable" solutions seem to promise the world a brighter future (1). It’s a positive message at heart: to solve the world’s energy problems, all we need is better engineering. And with many prototypes near completion, who wouldn’t be excited?
... treatments in the Oak Grove Field, Black Warrior Basin, In Situ, J. of Coal Research. 17:(3). 273-309.
Hafizzudin Abubakar (2009, May 13). Energy Week Symposium 2007. Retrieved October 18, 2011, from http://www.energy.gov.bn/energydivision/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96:energy-week-symposium-2007&catid=41:speeches&Itemid=74
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Fossil fuels are energy that is in the form of coal, oil, or natural gas that comes from organisms from millions of years ago. The cycle to create fossil fuels takes millions of years to form and is therefore considered a nonrenewable resource of energy. Fossil fuels have been the primary source of energy for man ever since the age of machines, but one of “the main problem[s] with fossil fuels is that there is a limited amount of them” (Problem with Fossil Fuel). As countries become more developed, like the United States, they too will become more thirsty and dependent for fossil fuels. “In 2004, America spent approximately $270 billion to fufill its oil need.” and “90% of all transportation is fueled by oil” (Nakaya 10). With the global rate of fossil fuels going up it is inevitable that they are going to run out, forcing countries to choose an alternative energy source. The other huge problem with dependence on fossil fuels is the effect that the emissions have on the climate. Fossil fuels are made of carbon chains and in order for the reaction...
In addition to, a huge issue with non-renewable energy is the fact that we get most of it from foreign countries. According to a recent study done by Energy Information Administration, “58% of our petroleum comes from outside the country”, this means as some speculate, that o...
The world that we live into today affords us the expectation that the flip a switch will turn the lights on. As populations increase and developing nations undergo dramatic economic growth, this energy demand will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” (ElBaradei). Given this projected growth, it is necessary for world leaders must take action to secure the energy supply. Meaning that world leaders need to start seriously considering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. “In 2012, the United States generated about 4,054 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 68% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 37% attributed from coal” (U.S. Energy Information Administration). The fossil fuels that are used to supply over half of our country’s energy are in finite supply and are increasing in price to astronomical heights.