Burning Fossil Fuels

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Fossil Fuel Combustion

Fossil fuels are the term given to oil, coal and natural gas. All can be used as independent fuel sources or to generate electricity.

When are they combusted?

Oil in the form of petrol is combusted (burned) in cars.
Natural gas can be used to heat our stoves when cooking.
All types of fossil fuel combustion release CO₂ as a by-product.

Balance

The carbon cycle is said to be in equilibrium (balance) between its stores and sinks.
Since Industrialisation (1800's in the UK but later in Emerging and Developing countries) the combustion of fossil fuels has increased.
As a result, the concentration of atmospheric CO₂ has also increased. This has been linked to increases in global temperatures due to enhancing the Greenhouse Effect.

Impact on climate

Globally, higher levels of atmospheric CO₂ increase global temperatures. Locally, the impacts vary.
Eastern and Northern Europe are expected to see warmer winters, whilst Southern Europe is projected to see warmer summers.
Northern Europe is expected to see an increase in precipitation whilst Southern Europe is projected to see less precipitation.
This will decrease water availability and increase the likelihood of drought and forest fires in Southern Europe.

Extreme weather events

With the changes in temperature and precipitation, it is likely that extreme weather events will increase.
- E.g. the likelihood that sea surface temperature will reach 27^oC for 3 consecutive weeks (a prerequisite for Tropical Storms) will increase and the area where this is possible will increase.
Therefore, the areas hit by tropical storms will increase as will their intensity.

Impact on the Arctic

Whilst warming is noted globally, the Arctic is warming at twice the rate. This is known as Arctic amplification.

Effect on permafrost

Warmer temperatures in the Arctic cause more permafrost to thaw, which releases the stored CO₂ and CH₄ (Methane).
This leads to more greenhouse gases, impacting the greenhouse effect, rising global temperatures and causing more permafrost to thaw.
Some studies now show that the carbon may remain in new vegetation that is able to grow now the permafrost has thawed. This new plant growth may allow carbon to be stored via photosynthesis.

Snow and ice changes

Sea ice melts and snow cover is reduced with increasing temperatures.
This reduces the albedo effect, allowing more solar radiation to be absorbed by the earth and resulting in an even greater increase in temperature.
The change in habitat is devastating for the ecosystem dependent on it.
- E.g. The native Arctic Fox now must compete for food and territory with the red fox (from Alaska), which has migrated North into now habitable land.

Impact on the Hydrological Cycle

Precipitation rates and the effects of glacial melt are expected to change with global warming. This will result in changes to river discharges and flooding.

Precipitation

If precipitation falls as rain and not snow in winter, winter floods can be expected.
Summer droughts and forest fires will be increasingly common.

Glacial meltwater

As glaciers retreat (melt more than they form each year) there will be an increase in river discharge and sediment yields until glaciers have completely gone.
Currently, European countries receive water during the summer months from Alpine glacial meltwater.
Studies show limited ice in the Western Alps and none in the Eastern Alps by 2100.
This will have knock-on impacts on river discharge.