Essay Sample on Fossil Fuel Energy: Global Impact, Concerns & Solutions

Introduction

The major source of energy to the world today consists mainly of fossil fuels, which include oil, coal, and natural gas (1). Having played a significant role in the industrial revolution, fossil fuels have had a global impact over the years through technological, social, economic, as well as development progress (2). Therefore, many economies across the world thrive on this type of energy. However, as nations continually depend on fossil energy, there are growing concerns about its negative impacts on the environment. It follows that atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have been on the rise since the industrial revolution and much more after 1900 in proportion to increased consumption of fossil fuels across the world (3). As such, fossil energy is the dominant local air polluter as the combustion of carbon that makes up the fuel produces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (3). These gases are responsible for global warming and the devastating impacts of climate change. Therefore, this paper seeks to explain the reasons for the continuous use of fossil fuels in the world today, amidst the apparent risks that are associated with it. Moreover, it presents the ethical and moral issues faced by engineering professionals in the oil and gas industry.

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Production of fossil fuels first started with coal in China, as early as 4000BC, through the carving of one of the many forms of coal known as black lignite (4). The consumption of coal continued in China and other ancient civilizations, albeit in a few geographical locations. However, the engineering exploits of the industrial revolution through the invention of the steam engine and industries that relied on coal saw a massive increase in its use (2). Further, the consumption of crude oil began in the 1860s, whereas natural gas production followed a couple of decades later around the 1880s-90s (2). This was realized as technology improved and automobiles, ships, as well as other machines that consumed oil and natural gas, were invented in large scale throughout Europe and America. Therefore, at this time, the consumption of all the three types of fossil energy (coal, gas, and oil) was evident.

In the foregoing, the beginning of the 20th Century and the period afterward has seen a remarkable increase and consistent use of the three types of fossil energy throughout the world. For instance, petroleum rose to global prominence at the beginning of the 20th Century, and that has continued to date (3). Following these developments, conservation researchers and other professionals have considered the implications of the ever-increasing consumption of fossil energy. It follows that their findings have consistently shown that consumption of fossil fuels poses a serious threat to the globe due to carbon emissions that have been noted to cause the greenhouse effect and, subsequently, global warming as well as climate change (5). Already, there has been a 1C increase in the average global temperature (6). Any further warming beyond 1.5C would risk extreme weather conditions, as well as the melting of ice in the polar regions, rise in sea levels, loss of biodiversity, species extinction, poor health, food scarcity, and poverty among millions of people in the world (6). Additionally, the methods used to extract fossil fuels such as fracking and extensive mining often result in serious damage to flora and fauna, thus also affecting human communities through oil spills and land dereliction (7).

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has established that the major cause of global warming is fossil fuel combustion (6). In this regard, a massive 89% of carbon dioxide emissions were linked to fossil fuels in 2018 (6). Further, IPCC warns that fossil fuel emissions must be reduced by half before 2030 if global warming is to be kept under 1.5C. To help reduce the impact of global warming and climate change, many nations signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 and thus committed to reducing their levels of carbon emissions, as there is a clear understanding about the implications of continually emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (6). Accordingly, the mention of the words "fossil fuels" to any environmentally conscious person today will elicit thoughts of polluted and smoggy air, oil spills, melting ice caps, as well as the many other negative results of global warming and climate change.

It follows that the addition of humans to fossil energy is destroying our planet, yet its consumption continues unabated. This creates ethical and moral issues, particularly for professionals in the oil and gas industry. Based on Kantian ethics, these professionals are expected to be driven by the categorical imperative to positively influence a change to cleaner energy because they are fully aware that the consumption of fossil fuels is harmful to humanity and also unsustainable. However, it's difficult for them to 'turn the tide' as their jobs consist of activities in the extraction, processing, and consumption of coal, gas, and oil. It follows that the problem is bigger than the individual professionals and is more embedded in global inclinations and practices. Accordingly, the benefits of alternative energy sources, also referred to as green energy, has been known for many years. Still, fossil fuels continue to be the main energy sources throughout the world. Some of the reasons for this situation include the efficiency, convenience, and logistical advantages of using fossil fuels (8).

Firstly, the efficiency of fossil fuels is due to their ability to produce the energy required for various commercial activities (9). Accordingly, earth's fossil fuel reserves are made up of condensed energy consisting of organic material of plants and animals buried over many years. For this reason, they produce lots of energy, even with the combustion of little amounts of fossil fuels (8). Secondly, the convenience of fossil fuels is due to their "ready-made" nature, based on their formation through the aforementioned natural processes of compression and sedimentation of carbon. Therefore, the form in which coal, oil, and natural gas are mined is such that the greater work of turning dead plants and animals into fern is already done, and what is left is harvesting and eventual utilization of the fossil fuels (8). However, before using alternative sources of energy such as geothermal, wind, and solar power, people have first to figure out how to collect, transform and store energy before using it, unlike fossil fuels, which require a little processing before usage (8). For instance, the speed of wind and sunlight intensity vary tremendously; thus, a wind turbine or solar panel in one location will generate greatly varying amounts of power that if it were installed in another area (10).

The "ready-made" quality of solar power also implies that it can be accessed in any part of the world, regardless of the geographical location, time of the day, as long as there are significant deposits. This is different from the green sources of energy, such as solar and wind energy, which rely on favorable weather, time of the day, and certain geographical locations. In this regard, not many alternative energy sources can match fossil fuels when it's about power production on-demand (8). Thirdly, logistical advantages linked to the consumption of fossil fuels are because they have been the major source of energy over the last two centuries (8). It follows that the two centuries have seen remarkable development of today's industrialized world, including production, infrastructural, transport, and residential systems are related to fossil fuels. Therefore, in a logistical sense, it's difficult to switch to a new source of energy, as this would mean rethinking the way we have understood energy over a long time (8).

Based on the reasons above for continued use of fossil energy, engineering professionals in the oil and gas industry face the ethical and moral dilemma on how to maximize immediate beneficial consequences through the utilitarian approach and how to cater for the energy needs and wellbeing of future generations through green energy and better alternatives, following the deontological approach. Acting in accord with these moral principles is key because fossil fuels are non-renewable, and thus any coal, oil, or gas combusted today is forever lost to the disadvantage of future generations (10). Environmentalists and geologists have also argued through Hubert's 1956 theory of "peak oil" that there's a hypothetical point when oil production will get to a maximum then begin to decline (11). As such, the future energy needs of the world, and how well they will be met will be determined by the actions taken today. This further builds a case for the ethical and moral responsibilities to future generations in the way fossil fossils are currently being used, not just by engineering professionals in the oil and gas industry, but every human. The option of nuclear energy would not be ideal either since it presents serious risks by generating radioactive waste that is harmful to humans and the environment as a whole potentially for thousands of generations in the future (10). Even efforts to ensure that the safety of nuclear power plants is maintained can be curtailed by difficulties in disposing of nuclear wastes. It follows that a change to green energy and a focus on conserving it while improving its efficiency is the best way to go.

However, green energy through renewable and non-polluting sources like geothermal, solar, and wind power presents ethical and moral challenges as well. In the short term, alternative sources of energy are likely to be costlier in comparison to fossil and nuclear energy (12). Therefore, such price differentials would mean that safer and cleaner energy will most likely be afforded by developed countries. On the other hand, developing countries will continue depending on fossil fuels, and this would not be helpful in the quest to reduce the consumption of fossil energy. This then raises questions on equality and fairness as pertains to the global distribution of alternative sources of energy. Moreover, the development of technologies used in alternative energy sources will require government input through incentives and subsidies, thus raising more questions regarding fairness, equality, and freedom (13).

Conclusion

In conclusion, human dependence on coal, oil, and gas continues today despite the negative impacts on the environment. Fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases when combusted, and these cause the greenhouse effect, global warming, and, eventually, climate change. Also, the processes of extraction, processing, and transportation of fossil fuels have been associated with accidents such as oil spills with many negative impacts on flora and fauna. It follows that engineering professionals in the oil and gas industry face ethical and moral challenges as they are torn between facilitating the consumption of fossil fuels as their jobs demand; or protecting future generations by advocating for green energy. Accordingly, the constant consumption of coal, oil, and gas is a common global problem which should be solved by concerted efforts through groups of people at local, national, and the international level. Moreover, adequate ethics regarding energy use must move beyond merely moral questions and focus on perspectives in social and public policy. In the preceding, such perspectives will promote reforms in the oil and gas industry by addressing justice at present and responsibilities for future generations.