FOSSIL FUELS IN THE ATMOSPHERE By: Talmage Rollins

HOW DOES IT GET THERE? Fossil fuels like coal and oil have been dug out of the ground for energy since the Industrial Revolution. Consumers use this to power their cars, buildings, electricity, etc. To create energy with fossil fuels, they burn them. This gas rises into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes heating of the Earth due to the greenhouse effect. The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, is the main governing entity that oversees the impact of fossil fuels on air quality and environmental health. The current administrator of the EPA is Gina McCarthy.

EFFECTS OF FOSSIL FUELS IN THE ATMOSPHERE One of the biggest environmental problems associated with fossil fuel usage is global warming. Global Warming is the rise in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Scientists believe this has been occurring since the late 19th century. Since the early 20th century, the Earth's average surface temperature has increased by about 1.4 °F, with over half of the increase occurring after More than 90% of U.S. scientists in this field feel certain that it is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. These findings are recognized by the national science academies of all major industrialized nations. This is a major threat to all modern society.

WE CAN CHANGE THIS What can you do?  You can tell the government to use less non-renewable energy by writing to your local, state, and national level representatives.  You can also promote conservation of energy and the use of non fossil fuel based energy among family members and friends in your community.

CITATIONS  "Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: (Excerpt)." Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rpt. in Global Issues in Context Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, Global Issues In Context. Web. 26 May  Boundless. “Environmental Problems Associated with Fossil Fuel Use.” Boundless Chemistry. Boundless, 28 May Retrieved 29 May from textbook/thermochemistry-6/energy-use-and-the-environment-62/environmental-problems- associated-with-fossil-fuel-use /

THINK OF THE CHILDREN!