What You Need to Know About Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Non-renewable energy resources, also known as fossil fuels, are the result of several processes over many years and are finite. These resources, which support human life and industrial development, also create serious environmental and economic consequences. It is necessary to consider in detail what these resources are, their short and long-term impacts, the future of non-renewable energy, and whether a transition to sustainable energy policies is possible.
What are Non-Renewable Energy Sources?
Although non-renewable energy sources are important sources that meet our energy needs, they are limited. At the same time, their potential to harm the environment makes them unsustainable options. It is important to recognize non-renewable energy sources to understand their environmental impact. It is necessary to divide these sources into two fossil fuels and nuclear energy and categorize them within themselves.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are derived from fossilized plants and animals and therefore take many years to form. They cause serious damage to the environment during their production and use.
Coal
Coal, a black sedimentary rock, contains large amounts of carbon and hydrocarbons. Since it takes millions of years to form, it is considered a non-renewable energy source. As layers of soil and rock cover the plants, heat and pressure build-up, and with this heat and pressure, the plants turn into coal.
Coal is analyzed in four classes: anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous coal, and lignite. Among these, anthracite is the coal type with the highest carbon value with a carbon content ranging between 86-97%. The coal type with the lowest carbon value and therefore the lowest energy content is lignite with a carbon content ranging between 25% and 35%. This is because lignite deposits are relatively young and not exposed to extreme heat or pressure.
As a fossil fuel, coal is widely used in electricity generation, industrial heating, and domestic heating. With its large reserves and high energy density, it has long been one of the most popular energy sources. However, it is not a sustainable energy source due to its high carbon emissions and the negative impacts of coal mining on the environment.
Oil
Petroleum is the hydrocarbon residues of animals and plants living in the sea, covered with sand and rock residues for millions of years. As a result of the heat and pressure created by the sand and rock remains, the energy source we call oil today was formed. Petroleum, in the form of liquid or gas in underground pools or springs, is obtained from cavities in sedimentary rocks or from tar sands close to the earth’s surface.
The oil extracted from the surface of the earth is processed in refineries and transformed into products used in daily life and industry. Vehicle fuels such as gasoline or diesel fuel, plastics and similar chemical products, and industrial products such as asphalt are made from petroleum. Oil is also used in electricity generation and agricultural chemicals such as pesticides.
It is considered one of the most important types of energy source due to its high energy density, its use as a transportation fuel and its widespread use in industrial applications. The main negative impacts of this resource are that it damages marine ecosystems due to leakage, causes environmental pollution, and has high carbon emissions. Reducing the use of oil contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions and increased environmental sustainability.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that contains methane. Methane contains one carbon and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Natural gas, which accumulates both on the earth’s surface and on the ocean floors, is formed when plant and animal remains are covered with soil, siltstone, and calcium carbonate. The formation process is the same as that of oil and coal. Although natural gas is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless energy source, energy companies try to make it easier to detect natural gas leaks by adding a fragrant and harmless chemical to this gas. About 22% of the world’s energy comes from natural gas.
Natural gas is considered a cleaner fossil fuel compared to oil and coal. This is because it has lower carbon emissions than oil and coal—however, activities to extract natural gas cause air pollution. Construction work at the point where wells are to be drilled can lead to land degradation, causing erosion, damage to habitats, and disruption to the functioning of the local ecosystem. Natural gas extraction activities can also cause pollution of water, both underground and on the ground.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is generated from atomic nuclei through nuclear reactions called fission and fusion. In fission, a heavy atomic nucleus is bombarded with neutrons from the element’s uranium and plutonium, releasing energy. In fusion, two light atomic nuclei are fused by the high pressure and heat generated by the elements deuterium and tritium, releasing energy.
Nuclear energy can be considered as an important energy source in the future. This is because it is highly energy efficient, can produce energy continuously, and has much lower carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that nuclear energy brings with it severe risks.
Nuclear energy is produced in nuclear reactors. However, radioactive wastes resulting from fission reactions have extremely negative impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Long-term storage and safe disposal of these wastes are challenging processes. There is also always the risk of nuclear boilers exploding. High construction and operating costs also make nuclear energy unsustainable.
In addition, the uranium used as fuel is not self-renewable. This makes nuclear energy one of the non-renewable energy sources. Despite all these negatives, it is possible to see that some sources consider atomic energy as a clean and even renewable energy source. This is because it has zero emissions and requires extraordinarily little uranium.
Environmental Impacts of Non-Renewable Energy Sources
The reason interest in renewable energy sources has been growing for many years and why new energy sources are constantly being sought is not only because non-renewable energy sources are running out. They also have profoundly serious environmental hazards. If the use of non-renewable energy sources is stopped, an important step will be taken to overcome environmental problems. The environmental impacts of non-renewable energy sources can be seen more clearly.
Climate Change
Approximately 80% of the world’s energy needs are met by fossil fuels. Fossil fuels also account for 66% of the world’s carbon emissions. The increase in carbon emissions leads to an increase in the earth’s temperature and to global warming.
The earth’s temperature has risen by 1 degree Celsius compared to about 200 years ago. If the use of fossil fuels continues at the same rate, it is estimated that there could be a temperature increase of 1.5 to 2 degrees. This will have serious negative impacts on both ecosystems and biodiversity.
Oil Spills
Oil spills are a significant threat to both land and marine life. Oil spills can seriously damage marine life and aquatic ecosystems. Pollution of coastal areas and loss of biodiversity can lead to the disappearance of income sources such as tourism and fisheries.
Heavy metals such as lead, and mercury also hurt human health. For example, with the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, 4 million barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. Ecosystems in this region have been affected for a long time, and income sources such as fishing and tourism have been seriously disrupted.
Radioactive Wastes
Radioactive waste produced by nuclear reactors cannot be recycled in any way. This radioactive waste, which can produce radioactivity for hundreds of years, must be stored in a very safe manner. The disasters in Chornobyl and Fukushima in recent years have dramatically demonstrated the consequences that radioactivity can cause.
Acid Rain
Acid rain is a common result of air pollution. Pollutants sent into the atmosphere by industrial activities, vehicles, or home heating systems react with water vapor, oxygen, and other substances to form acids such as sulfuric acid or nitric acid.
These acids then return to the earth in the form of rain or dust. As a result, the soil acidifies and prevents healthy plant growth. The pH level of lakes, rivers, and seas drops, damaging aquatic ecosystems. Forest health deteriorates as the process of photosynthesis is negatively affected.
Deterioration of Human Health
Air, water, and soil pollution occurs during the extraction, processing, and utilization of non-renewable energy resources. This leads to consequences that negatively affect human health.
Some of the negative effects of non-renewable energy sources on human health are as follows:
- Respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer due to particulate matter, Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and ozone,
- Cancer, neurological disorders, and kidney diseases due to heavy metals and chemicals,
- Cancer, genetic mutations, and birth defects due to radioactive waste,
- Deaths due to extreme weather events caused by global warming,
- Increase in respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, and allergic reactions due to poor air quality,
- Psychological disorders such as trauma and depression due to oil spills and nuclear accidents.
Considering all these impacts of non-renewable energy sources, the need for renewable, clean energy sources can be seen.
Can we switch to fully renewable energy sources?
A joint study by EWG (Energy Watch Group), a non-profit organization in Germany, and LUT University in Finland has shown that it is possible to transition to 100% renewable energy sources for electricity, transportation, heat, and water sanitation by 2050. And in a much more efficient and cost-effective way compared to fossil fuels.
The report stated that the transition from carbon-based energy sources to renewable energy sources in the power and heat sectors is possible by 2030, and a completely carbon-neutral system for transportation is possible by 2050. According to the same report, solar and wind energy will lead the transition to renewable energy sources. While solar energy creates a large area for employment, it is estimated that global renewable energy systems will create thirty-five million local jobs.
Renewable Energy Sources: Zero Carbon Emissions
The dark side of non-renewable energy sources, which pollute the air, water, and soil we owe our lives to, can be seen much more today. The active use of these resources weakens the possibility of leaving a healthy world to future generations. However, it is possible to reduce carbon emissions and create a much more livable world with the energy of wind, sun, and water.
You can take a step now to live in a more sustainable world and leave a habitable planet for future generations. Thanks to the user-friendly software we offer, such as QuickCarbon, you do not need consultancy services. You can report your corporate footprint according to ISO 14064-1:2018 Standard and GHG Protocol. Based on the data you obtain; you can develop carbon-neutral strategies for your organization.