Integrative Activity 3- Hydrocarbons
Fossil fuel products
Advantages of using fossil fuels as an energy source
Environmental implications of fossil fuel obtention
Petroleum dependency
Alternative sources of energy obtention and advantages
Countries that depend on alternative sources of energy and their strategy
Political & economic implications on fossil fuel dependency
Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, natural gas, oil shales, bitumens, tar sands, and heavy oils.
All contain carbon and were formed as a result of geologic processes acting on the remains of organic matter produced by photosynthesis.
Fossil fuel can generare a large amount of electricity.
They can be found very easily.
Cost- effective
Transportation of oil and gas can be done easity through pipelines.
It is available in plenty quantities.
The impact on climate is demonstrated for the release of heat.
Release of CO2 which is one of the gases that pollutes our Earth the most.
Mexico
United States
In early December 2018, it was reported that the US had turned into a net exporter of oil "last week", thus breaking nearly 75 continuous years of dependence on foreign oil. Reportedly, the US sold overseas a net of 211,000 barrels a day of crude and refined products such as gasoline and diesel.
Germany
Germany imported 85.2 million tonnes of crude oil (the country also imports additional mineral oil products).
Petroleum is the base of the economy in Mexico.
The national oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) has been the source of approximately one third of the total federal resources in the last 20 years, often bankrolling the State during the last three decades.
Solar Energy (photovoltaic, solar thermal)
Wind
Biogas (landfill gas/ wastewater treatment digester gas)
Geothermal
Low- impact hydroelectricity
Emerging technologies - wave and tidal power)
Benefits
Generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution
Diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels
Creating economic development and jobs in manufacturing, installation, and more
References
Otto, C. (2019). Fossil fuel. de Britannica . Recuperado de https://www.britannica.com/science/fossil-fuel
Kamille, G. (2019). Fossil fuels- Types and uses. Recuperado de https://byjus.com/biology/fossil-fuel/
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Local Renewable Energy Benefits and Resources. Recuperado de https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/local-renewable-energy-benefits-and-resources
Margarita Yabur
A01749235
Sweden
Goal: To eliminase fossil fuel from electricity generation by 2040 within its borders, using solar, wind, energy storage, smart grids, and clean transport.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has produced 95% of its electricity from hydro, geothermal, solar and wind over the past four years.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua invested the fifth- highest percentage worldwide of its GDP in developing renewable energy.
The political and economic fossil fuel dependency produces climate changes, we all know that at least petroleum is used by a lot of companies for us to have some resources, but this is polluting our planet and if we have the chance to use another clean energy sources, we have to take it. The problem is that this type of energy isn't cheap and that is why some politicians and economists keep using fossil fuel.
Anónimo. (2019). 11 countries leading the change on Renewable Energy . de Climate Council. Recuperado de https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/11-countries-leading-the-charge-on-renewable-energy/