Science 7: Unit C – Heat and Temperature Topic 8: Conserving Our Fossil Fuel Resources

What are fossil fuels again? Chemicals found underground and under ocean beds which, when burned produce a LOT of thermal energy. Chemicals found underground and under ocean beds which, when burned produce a LOT of thermal energy. These chemicals come from the fossilized remains of plants, animals and sea creatures. These chemicals come from the fossilized remains of plants, animals and sea creatures. Fossil fuels include natural gas, oil, coal, and the tar sands. Fossil fuels include natural gas, oil, coal, and the tar sands. Fossil fuels form the backbone of energy and heating industries in Alberta. Fossil fuels form the backbone of energy and heating industries in Alberta.

Fossil Fuels are running out.

Fossil Fuels Are Non-Renewable Industry, governments, and scientists disagree about how much fossil fuel is left for us to collect and use: Some say 50 years, others say up to a few hundred years. Industry, governments, and scientists disagree about how much fossil fuel is left for us to collect and use: Some say 50 years, others say up to a few hundred years. Everyone DOES agree that we are consuming fossil fuels faster than they are being created and that they will eventually run out. This makes them non-renewable. Everyone DOES agree that we are consuming fossil fuels faster than they are being created and that they will eventually run out. This makes them non-renewable.

Fossil Fuels Produce Pollution Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They help trap infrared radiation from the sun on Earth, warming it up. This is called the greenhouse effect. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They help trap infrared radiation from the sun on Earth, warming it up. This is called the greenhouse effect. Burning coal also produces a gas called sulfur dioxide. When this gas mixes with water vapour in the sky, it produces acid precipitation and smog. Burning coal also produces a gas called sulfur dioxide. When this gas mixes with water vapour in the sky, it produces acid precipitation and smog.

Risks with using Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels Can be Dangerous Long term exposure to oil and gasoline is carcinogenic. Care must be used when handling these chemicals. Long term exposure to oil and gasoline is carcinogenic. Care must be used when handling these chemicals. The storage of waste fossil fuels is also a problem because they can kill many kinds of organisms. This is similar to the issue with storing nuclear waste. The storage of waste fossil fuels is also a problem because they can kill many kinds of organisms. This is similar to the issue with storing nuclear waste. Finally, because fossil fuels are so flammable and toxic they pose a risk to health of ecosystems and human communities. Finally, because fossil fuels are so flammable and toxic they pose a risk to health of ecosystems and human communities.

Technologies To Help Reduce Fossil Fuel Use Technologies have been invented and improved to be more energy efficient so that we do not use fossil fuels as much. Technologies have been invented and improved to be more energy efficient so that we do not use fossil fuels as much. 1. Programmable thermostats: Reduce natural gas use. 1. Programmable thermostats: Reduce natural gas use. 2. Refrigerant liquids: Reduce the amount of energy a fridge needs to cool itself. 2. Refrigerant liquids: Reduce the amount of energy a fridge needs to cool itself. 3. LED lights: Reduce the amount of coal that’s needed to burn to make electrical energy. 3. LED lights: Reduce the amount of coal that’s needed to burn to make electrical energy.