It is a well known fact that fossil fuels currently are more cost-efficient than alternative sources of energy. They also are highly-pack with energy which makes them very desirable. It is reported that currently fossil fuels account for 85% of energy consumption in the United States.

There is one cost though that can not be labeled with a specific cash price and that is the environment. Fossil Fuels may be less expensive currently, but their significant impact on the environment can and will continue to cost the United States financially and otherwise. Unless action can be taken and precautions set in place, future generations may have to pay for this generation’s poor choices.

Below are just a few ways that the environment is affected by fossil fuels.

1. Extracting fossil fuels from the ground disrupts the ecosystem where the mining and drilling are done. This is why, for example, many environmentalists have been hesitant to allow oil corporations full reign of Alaska’s rich resources since it will influence the natural habitats of plants and animals. Also much of mining and drilling are done in areas that could contaminate the clean water supply to communities, businesses, and neighborhoods.
2. Fossil fuels must be burned in order to tap into their full energy capacity. This can release nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides which contribute to acid rain.
3. The most troublesome affect of fossil fuels is the release of carbon dioxide in to the atmosphere when the fuel is burned. This heats up the air and creates a “greenhouse affect” around the earth leading to global warming. Many attribute the increase of natural disasters the globe over to global warming.

Scientists and politicians alike are looking for a solution to these problems. The goal is to use more environmentally-friendly sources of energy at a more cost-efficient price for the consumer. When this is accomplished, not only will Americans wallets benefit, the costly damaging affects of our energy resources will be eliminated.

Most of us love our cars, not just the style or color or even how fast they can go, we love our cars because we depend on them for a majority of our daily tasks.

Cars are what enable travel from place to place. Millions of Americans use cars to get to school, work, church, the grocery store, or to the movie theater. The list could go on and on. The bottom-line is that hardly a day goes by where the public is not taking advantage of this convenient way to travel.

This also means though, that not a day goes by in which more carbon dioxide is being emitted into the air through cars’ tailpipe emissions. This carbon dioxide, released in to the earth’s atmosphere, is a major factor in today’s global warming. As global warming occurs there are more and more natural disasters.

Those who are more concerned about the environment may use their budget to buy a hybrid car or a purely electric car. What is the advantage? Most cars use the fossil fuel, oil or petroleum to run. These use gas to power a combustion engine. As mentioned above, these gas-powered cars release tailpipe emissions which increase carbon dioxide content in the air. As this gets trapped in the atmosphere it has a green house affect and contributes to heating up the earth. Although fossil fuels conveniently power millions of cars, they unfortunately harm our environment.

Buying and using an electric car is a preferred option. An electric car is powered by electricity which eliminates all car emissions. Even a hybrid car, although it still has a combustion engine combined with electric power to help the car run, can reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As long as the electricity supply to power cars is coming from a renewable source of energy, such as from windmill power, then electric cars are more environmentally friendly than those tapping into fossil fuels for power.