Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas is a major cause of increasing global temperatures. The combustion of these fuels emits carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. Since the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric CO2 levels have risen by 38% and methane by 48%. Fossil fuels currently provide 90% of global energy needs. This rise in greenhouse gases is causing the planet to warm, with surface temperatures increasing by 0.6 degrees Celsius in the last century. Continued fossil fuel use will exacerbate global warming and cause problems like rising sea levels and more extreme weather. Reducing fossil fuel consumption through renewable energy and efficiency can help mitigate the effects of climate change.

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Burning of Fossil Fuels – a potential Cause of Global Warming
Sadaf Meraj
NED University of Engineering and technology
Department of Polymer and Petrochemical

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Burning of fossil fuel is a hidden causeof global warming. Fossil fuels are being used as
one of the major energy resources for industrial and domestic usage. Nowadays, Electricity is
one of the corenecessities for living and it is produced mainly by combustion of coal that is a
fossil fuel.The increasing consumption of fossil fuel such as crude oil, natural gas and coal has
direct impact on increasing amount of Oxides in atmosphere. Since the Industrial Revolution
instigated in about 1750, carbon dioxide levels in atmosphere have amplified approximately by
38 percent till 2009 and methane levels have amplified by 48 percent. Nowadays, fossil fuel
provides 90% of the total required energy on earth which is employed for industrial and domestic
purpose and electricity production, remaining 10% is fulfilled by nuclear resources, wind energy,
wood, charcoal and renewable energy. The constant increase in global warming may cause
climatically change on earth. The average surface temperature of globe has risen by
approximately 0.6 degree Celsius during last century. Scientists predict that if carbon dioxide
levels continue to increase, the planet will become warmer in the next century. At north and
South Pole global warming is causing large ice burgs to melt and flow in oceans that raises sea
water level(Langholz& Turner, 2003).
In what manner does burning of fossil fuel causes global warming?Earth is surrounded
by a layerof gases called greenhouses that absorbs a portion of heat from ultraviolet rays coming
to earth in order to maintain temperature of earth required for human survival i.e. 15 degree
Celsius(Phillips, 2009).When fossil fuels are burn with oxygen they produce harmful gases such
as nitrous oxides and carbon dioxide.Burning of fossil fuels is an exothermic reaction and
produces warm gases. Warm gases are lighter than air therefore they move up to the layer of
atmosphere. The ultraviolet rays are continuously reaching to the earth from sun, carbon dioxide

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absorbs the heat energy from ultraviolet rays so, the ultraviolet rays don't reflect back completely
and the heat absorbed within greenhouse gases elevate the temperature of earth. Fossil fuels are
likewise involved in increased levels of atmospheric methane and nitrous oxides, though they are
not the main source of these gases.In the concluding 150 years, burning of fossil fuels has caused
a 25 percent upsurge in amount of carbon dioxide in our air(Phillips, 2009).
Global warming can be caused by some natural processes, but many researchers believe
that human activities are giving rise to global warming(Phillips, 2009).By 2030 the use of fossil
fuel would be twice of the amount used in 2005 (Solway, 2008).Projected temperature
incrementis impacting earth massively.Coastal areas may flood due to sea level rise, changed
weather patterns can result in more extreme weather happenings, and domestic agricultural
regions could undergo an increase in the frequency of dearth. In the year 2005, hurricane Katrina
flooded large area of New Orleans, Louisiana; Scientists anticipated that extreme climate
happenings such as hurricane would become more prominent with increase in global warming
(Solway, 2008). In June 2006,a board arranged by the U.S National Research Council, the
national premier science policy organisation, stated with high level of confidence that earth has
been warmest in at least 400 years(Phillips, 2009). The increase in temperature due to
greenhouse gases causes change in climatic pattern on entire earth, this climatic change is termed
as global warming(Solway, 2008). According to news article released by NASA Goddard
Institute for Space Studies (GISS), the solar increases are not capable to cause large global
temperature rises, greenhouse gases are definitely occupy the dominant role (Phillips,
2009).Global warming has a lion's share of consideration to date. Scientist has been studying
global warming since 1800s. In 1992, a United Nation's conference on environment and

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development was held called as "Earth Summit". As the new age opens, the warning of global
warming is growing, and atmospheric scientists have to make consent that carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases are increasing temperature on earth. Smith, E. (2002).
In my opinion with continuously increasing consumption of fossil fuel we are protruding
current problem to future generations.The effects of .Global warming are prominent at the
present, forest fires is one of them. During forest fires the carbon disbursed in plants is released
back, causing a rush in carbon dioxide emission.Carbon sinks are an excuse to retain burning
fossil fuels. The only effective way to diminish greenhouse gases is to less the amount of fossil
fuel we consume(Langholz& Turner, 2003).The use of nuclear energy, tidal energy, wind energy
and solar energy could lessen the consumption of fossil fuel. Consequently, Global warming
would be reduced (Smith, E. 2002).We are well equipped with a clean, easily accessible and
renewable energy resource that is water. Water is being used for generating power and neither it
emits greenhouse gases nor causes Global warming (Solway, 2008).Global warming effects are
indication for an immediate action.

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Referneces
Langholz, J., & Turner, K. (2003). You can prevent global warming (and save money!)(1st ed.).
Kansas City, Mo.: Andrews McMeel Pub.
Phillips, D. (2009). Deep Solar Minimum - NASA Science. Science.nasa.gov. Retrieved 4
September 2014, from http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-
nasa/2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum/
Smith, E. (2002). Energy, the environment, and public opinion (1st ed.). Lanham, Md.:
Rowman& Littlefield Publishers.
Solway, A. (2008). Water power (1st ed.). Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Pub