Question

Describe harmful effects of burning of fossil fuels.

Answer 1

Fossil fuels :

Fossil fuels are the fuels formed by natural processes such as decomposition of dead and buried organisms.

Harmful effects of burning of fossil fuel:

1. Carbon fuels such as wood, coal, petroleum release unburnt carbon particles in the environment.
2. These particles are very dangerous pollutants and cause respiratory diseases for example asthma.
3. When fuels are incompletely burnt, they release carbon monoxide gas into the atmosphere.
4. This gas is very dangerous as it is poisonous in nature.
5. If we burn coal in a closed room, then the person sleeping in that room will be killed by the action of carbon monoxide.
6. The combustion of fossil fuels also releases a large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
7. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which is responsible for global warming.
8. Global warming is a rise in the overall temperature of the earth’s surface.
9. This leads to the melting of polar caps and rise in the sea level and further results in flooding of coastal regions.
10. Burning of coal and diesel releases sulphur dioxide gas.
11. This gas is extremely corrosive and suffocating in nature. Petrol gives off oxides of nitrogen.
12. The oxides of sulphur and nitrogen get dissolved in rainwater and form acids.
13. This is known as acid rain.
14. This water is very harmful to plants, animals, and various monuments.