Fossil fuels global warming

Biomass such as lignocellulose (e.g., woods and grasses) and aquatic resources (e.g., seaweeds and microalgae) is the only renewable carbon source for the production of chemicals, materials, and fuels. Decreasing fossil resources, global warming, and environmental... 

Carbon. Most of the Earth s supply of carbon is stored in carbonate rocks in the Hthosphere. Normally the circulation rate for Hthospheric carbon is slow compared with that of carbon between the atmosphere and biosphere. The carbon cycle has received much attention in recent years as a result of research into the possible relation between increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, most of which is produced by combustion of fossil fuel, and the "greenhouse effect," or global warming. Extensive research has been done on the rate at which carbon dioxide might be converted to cellulose and other photosyntheticaHy produced organic compounds by various forms of natural and cultivated plants. Estimates also have been made of the rate at which carbon dioxide is released to soil under optimum conditions by various kinds of plant cover, such as temperature-zone deciduous forests, cultivated farm crops, prairie grassland, and desert vegetation. 

One of the main benefits from future use of biofuels would be the reduction of greenhouse gases compared to the use of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, is released into the air from combustion. Twenty-four percent of worldwide energy-related carbon emissions in 1997 were from the United States. Carbon... 

Power plant emissions result from the comhustion of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil. These emissions include sulfur dioxide (SO,), nitrogen oxides (NO.,), particulate matter, and hazardous air pollutants, all of which are subject to environmental regulations. Another emission is carbon dioxide (CO,), suspected of being responsible for global warming. 

Fossil fuels are a nonrenewable resource. Whatever fossil fuel we use in the present will be forever lost to posterity. Is this fair The harmful effects of global warming are unlikely to occur tor many years. Should we care Is it ethical to take risks... 

We have already met carbon dioxide, C02, many times throughout this book. It is formed when organic matter burns in a plentiful supply of air and during animal respiration. It is normally present in the atmosphere but there is widespread and well-founded concern that an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide due to the combustion of fossil fuels is contributing to global warming (Box 14.2). 

Other than longer-term supply issues the main driver for moving away from fossil resources is pollution. Since pre-industrial times the level of atmospheric CO2 has risen from 280 ppm to 360 ppm, and whilst some observers believe this may be a natural cycle in the Earth s history, most believe it is a direct consequence of burning fossil fuels. This additional CO2 is now thought to be the main cause of global warming via the greenhouse effect (see Box 6.1). 

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