Fossil Fuels
Table of Contents
Introduction
The fossil fuel industry has powered humans into a world of incredible technology and feats that our ancestors could never have imagined, however this has come with devastating costs which now threaten our water security, food security, climate stability, and much more.
The good news is that humans have been exploring and improving on alternative energy sources as well as new forms of energy storage to help increase the efficiency and versatility of these green energy types.
Humanity is now in the scaling-up phase with these technologies, even as we continue to discover and invent yet more alternatives. Some countries are phasing out ICE vehicles as their car markets fill up with hybrids, electrics, and hydrogen vehicles. Some countries and islands have already shifted mostly to renewables, with a couple already hitting 100% renewable energy use at least one day per year, but these stats are improving as adoption of alternative energy options continues to grow.
Types of Fossil Fuels
Natural Gas
Coal
Dangers of Fossil Fuels
Byproducts
Plastics
There are different types of plastic with different physical properties depending on their exact chemical makeup. These have been considered a wonderful invention, because they are generally much lighter in weight than glass, metal, or wooden containers, which they quickly replaced. Humanity enjoyed their longevity, but we are now learning that they can persist in our environment for hundreds of years and produce microplastics which get into animal and human bodies, where these fragments and their toxins do serious, or even deadly damage.
Plastics act like a sponge for dangerous chemicals and even viruses, then release them on beaches and inside organisms including ourselves. Plastics affect everything from water quality to the health of our soil. They persist in every trophic level from tiny worms and crustaceans, then they bioaccumulate as predators consume more and more contaminated prey, with animals such as seabirds being some of the most at-risk victims of this particular type of pollution. When humans consume predatory animals such as tuna or other popular fish, we increase the amount of microplastics entering our blood stream and lodging in organs including our brains and livers. Doctors and scientists are only now beginning to study the effects of this process on human health and life expectancy.
Petrochemicals Used in Beauty & Hygiene Products
Solutions
End Fossil Fuel Subsidies!
The fossil fuel industry is only as profitable to shareholders and CEOs because of the trillions they recieve in welfare handouts from govornments around the world. The idea behind this was to "help the little guy" by making energy cheap enough for businesses to boom, but as we've seen this has had a majorly negative impact a
Green Energy Alternatives
Clean Up
Plastic Cleanup
Organizations
North America
USA
Anthropocene Alliance (A2) "has almost 300 member-communities in 41 U.S. states and territories. They are impacted by flooding, toxic waste, wildfires, and drought and heat — all compounded by reckless development and climate change. The consequence is broken lives and a ravaged environment.
The goal of A2 is to help communities fight back. We do that by providing them organizing support, scientific and technical guidance, and better access to foundation and government funding. Most of all, our work consists of listening to our frontline leaders. Their experience, research, and solidarity guide everything we do, and offer a path toward environmental and social justice.
Supported by outstanding partner organizations with expertise in engineering, hydrology, public health, planning, and the law, A2 leaders have successfully halted developments in climate-vulnerable areas; implemented nature-based hazard mitigation strategies; organized home buyouts; and pushed for clean-ups at superfund sites, toxic landfills, and petrochemical plants.
We support everyone we can, but our special priority is people who have suffered the worst environmental impacts for the longest time; that usually means low-income, Black, Latinx, Native American and other underserved communities.
To learn about our policies, read our A 10-Point Platform on Climate Change."
The Clean Energy States Alliance "is a national, nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance clean energy.
CESA works with state leaders, federal agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to develop clean energy programs and inclusive renewable energy markets. CESA members—mostly state agencies—include many of the most innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean energy initiatives in the country."