Humankind is responsible for the massive USE of fossil fuels which has changed the atmosphere and temperature of the planet. Toxins and plastic are an accumulating problem of the oceans, land and air, while technology is becoming our second if not OUR first nature. Discuss.

1. D E S P O I N A M E N T Z E L O P O U L O U , S O P H I E M A C H A I R A
T E A C H E R : D I M I T R A D E R T I L I
THE ANTHROPOCENE
Humankind is responsible for the massive USE of fossil fuels which
has changed the atmosphere and temperature of the planet.
Toxins and plastic are an accumulating problem of the oceans,
land and air, while technology is becoming our second if not OUR
first nature. Discuss.
2nd Experimental Secondary School of Athens
Y e a r 2 0 1 6 – 2 0 1 7
C l a s s : Γ 3
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Earth_Wester
n_Hemisphere_transparent_background.png

2. LET’S DISCUSS
F O S S I L F U E L S : P R O S , C O N S , E F F E C T S A N D M O R E
http://arizonaexperience.org/sites/arizonaexperience.org/files/base_images/natural-gas-coal_cholla-power-plant-coal-darren-williams.jpg

3. T I T L E - # O F S L I D E
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Anthropocene – 1
Table of Contents – 3
Prologue – 4
Cons of Fossil Fuels – 5
Pros of Fossil Fuels – 17
Use of Fossil Fuels: The Effects - 24
Epilogue – 28
Sources – 30
Image sources can be found next to them.

4. PROLOGUE
In theory, technology was created in order to simplify
everyday life.
All modern machines like automobiles, motorcycles, air-
conditions, household appliances and industrial plants rely on
the utilization of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are organic matter
created by the decomposition of prehistoric plants and animals.
They mainly comprise of crude oil (petroleum), coal and natural
gas.

5. CONS OF FOSSIL FUELS
THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF FOSSIL FUELS
http://s.newsweek.com/sites/www.newsweek.com/files/styles/lg/public/2015/04/21/fossil-fuels.jpg

6. The burning of fossil
fuels causes the
emission of toxic
fumes, which have
been incriminated for
causing unpleasant
odors and pulmonary
diseases.
DISADVANTAGES
OF FOSSIL FUELS
https://nationalsafetysigns.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/D-10172-TOXIC-FUMES.png

7. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• They also cause
accumulation of
CO2 and other
greenhouse
gases in the
atmosphere,
which entrap
thermal radiation
arriving from the
sun, thus heating
up earth's surface
and causing
global warming.
http://easyscienceforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Kids-Science-Fun-Facts-on-Climate-Change-Image-of-Greenhouse-
Effect-on-Earth-caused-by-Climate-Change-1024x730.png
On the right, you can see a brief explanation of The Greenhouse Effect.

8. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Subsequent climate change can cause melting of glaciers,
droughts and increase in hurricane frequency.
This is the number of hurricanes in the period
1974 to 2003.
http://greendustriesblog.com/greendustries/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1.jpg
http://davekimble.net/hurricanes.post1973.gif

9. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Combustion of fossil fuel releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides into the atmosphere. When these compounds react with
water and oxygen, they create acid rain, which has catastrophic
effects on crops, animals, aquatic environment and marble
monuments.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/images/air_images/acidrain.gif

10. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Mining of coal and extraction of oil and natural gas results in the
destruction of wide areas of land. Deforestation is often inevitable.
However, long term effects of deforestation can be devastating,
since they can lead to floods, soil erosion and wildlife extinction.
Soil erosion:
http://thetomorrowcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/soil-erosion.jpg

11. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Extraction of fossil fuel is also one of the most dangerous jobs.
Accidents can potentially put at risk hundreds of lives.
https://grist.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/deepwater_rig_463.jpg
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2012/03/12/business/economy/12economix-
energy/12economix-energy-blog480.jpg

12. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Industrialization has exploited natural recourses by the
unsustainable extraction and processing of raw material.
Depletion of natural resources can cause a global economic
crisis. Thus, the use of
renewable energy is not
only highly recommended
but in the near future, it
will be the only option.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/fa/09/d5/fa09d5b9f2cc8823c608c236d549c9c1.jpg

13. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Many terrible wars have taken place due to the human greed to take over oil drilling
sites. The most recent example is that of the Gulf War in the early 90s, between Iraq,
Kuwait and the USA. Iraq believed that Kuwait was drilling into Iraq Rumaila oil field
territory which meant that Kuwait was stealing Iraq’s oil. Thus, Iraq invaded Kuwait
which in turn caused the intervention of 34 nations headed by the US. This is what lead
to the Gulf War.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Gulf_War_Photobox.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zeafwy_f9lo/hqdefault.jpg
Wikipedia: Gulf War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War

14. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Poor handling of waste products of industrial plants coupled
with oil spills and urban runoff has caused water and soil
pollution. Flora and fauna risk habitat loss and the planet
faces the disruption and extinction of species through
exposure to dangerous byproducts of technology.
Oil rig explosion on April 20, 2010.
http://www.livescience.com/images/i/000/005/355/original/oil-explosion-100423-
02.jpg?interpolation=lanczos-none&fit=inside%7C660:*

15. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Insecticides and sprays containing chlorofluorocarbons
damage the ozone layer, which prevents harmful ultraviolet
radiation from entering the earth, thus protecting the
existence of life on earth.
https://sriutami88.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/ozone_hole_1979_2008_big.jpg
Ozone Hole:
Comparing
1979 with 2008.

16. DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Plastics have also been accused for harming human
health and the environment.
http://www.ohmyparenting.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/08b-child-safety-warning-label.jpg

17. TO EVERY DISADVANTAGE THERE IS A
CORRESPONDING ADVANTAGE
- - W. CLEMENT STONE
- ( B U S I N E S S M A N , P H I L A N T H R O P I S T A N D N E W T H O U G H T S E L F - H E L P B O O K
A U T H O R )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Clement_Stone http://cdn.quotationof.com/images/disadvantage-quotes-7.jpg

18. ADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Fossil fuels are available in many parts of the world. With the
use of satellites and computerized geology, scientists can
easily detect rich veins of oil and natural gas deep in the
ground or under the sea.
On your right, you can see
how humans detect gas and
oil under the sea.
https://krisenergy.com/images/offshore%20seismic%20survey.jpg

19. ADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• They are easily combustible and have proved to be extremely
efficient in generating huge amounts of energy. For instance,
power stations utilize coal or natural gas in order to generate
electric energy that can meet the needs of huge urban
territories. Furthermore, products obtained from distillation of
crude oil in refineries are the most effective fuels for vehicles.
Cars are powered by gasoline, trains and trucks by diesel and
airplanes and ships by kerosene.
http://www.pacifymind.net/traffic-jam-wallpaper-11010/11010c-
traffic-jam-photo-high-quality/
http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/images/coalpowerstation.jpg

20. ADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Since industrial revolution and modern technology has relied
on fossil fuels for many years, extraction equipment and
cheap methods of transportation through pipes have been
developed.
http://www.oilandgascourse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/26.jpg

21. ADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Oil and natural gas are used to heat our homes during winter.
• Other fractions of oil distillation are
used as lubricants, agricultural
pesticides, dyes, solvents and
medical products.
https://jaredblakedicroce.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/howoilisused.jpg
Sample of products
containing oil

22. ADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• Industries relying on fossil fuels occupy thousands of people.
Abandoning their use could increase unemployment rate and
seriously affect the economy of many countries worldwide.
https://www.desmog.ca/sites/beta.desmogblog.com/files/Oil%20Change%20International%20Fossil%20Fuel%20Subsidies.png
https://www.desmog.ca/sites/beta.desmogblog.com/files/blogimages/Canada%20Fossil%20Fuel
%20Subsidies%20DeSmog%20Canada%20Oil%20Change%20International.png

23. ADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS
• However, the products of crude oil that has literally invaded
every aspect of our lives are petrochemicals, commonly
known as plastic and polyester.
Plastic is cheap to manufacture, durable, reusable and
excellent insulators since they do not conduct heat or electricity.
They are also lightweight, flexible and can easily be molded in
any shape. That’s why they are used as packing material, as well
as household items like bags, food containers, bottles, plates,
furniture, stationary and toys.
Polyester, on the other hand, is a cheap, flexible and
durable material used in the clothing industry.

24. HOW DO THOSE PROS AND
CONS AFFECT THE WORLD?
USE OF FOSSIL FUELS: THE EFFECTS
http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2016/04/coal-power-plant-in-the-city.jpg

25. EFFECTS ON HUMANS
If hot beverages and food come in contact with wall
covering of plastic cups or plastic containers, chemical
substances of plastic are released into food, digested and
absorbed by the human body. These are powerful toxins
capable of causing cancer, thyroid disorders, male infertility and
ulcers. Plastic toys are considered to adversely affect the
neurologic development of infants and children.
http://secondchancetoys.typepad.com/.a/6a00e0098a15
e88833010536b691af970b-pi
http://www.kewkradong.com/wp-
content/uploads/2014/11/plastic-cups.jpg

26. EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
• Plastics release toxic gases when burnt, thus polluting urban
atmosphere.
• They undergo very slow degradation when buried in landfill
sites. This causes soil degradation and insertion of
degradation products into drinking water, which can
endanger regional wildlife and human life.

27. EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
• Floating plastic waste causes water pollution. Bright colors
attract fish and mammals. Eventually, ingestion of plastics
causes blockage of intestines and death. Mammals are often
trapped or even chocked by plastic bags. Due to their
durability, they often serve as means of transportation of
various species to unfamiliar aquatic environment, thus
threatening local biodiversity.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55b29de4e4b088f33db802c6/55b2ae
56e4b084d92408190e/5696a056a128e6418bd6a253/1478276629367/72+(
1).jpg?format=1500w

28. EPILOGUE
To recapitulate, technology has undoubtedly profited our
everyday life. However, the opponents of technology have
pointed out its adverse effects. Future technologic
breakthroughs could benefit the environment and future life
through conservation of natural resources, utilization of
renewable-energy sources such as solar and wind power and
the purification of polluted air and water.

29. Off to a
brighter future!
Thank you for listening!

30. SOURCES
1. Bidisha Mukherjee: Fossil Fuel Uses http://www.buzzle.com/articles/fossil-fuel-uses.html
2. April Klazem: Types of Fossil Fuels and Their Uses https://blog.udemy.com/types-of-fossil-
fuels/
3. Wikipedia: Oil refinery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_refinery
4. Pros and Cons of fossil fuels http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-
fossil-fuels.php
5. http://occupytheory.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-fossil-fuels/
6. Think B4 use plastic. Be a zero be a hero. A Vishvaniketan Vilyavihar Initiative.
http://www.slideshare.net/HarshalMistry/plastic-free-csr-activity
7. Plastics and Human Health http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-
health.html
8. Jessica A. Knoblauch: The environmental toll of plastics
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/dangers-of-plastic
9. http://www.alternativeenergysecret.com/fossil-fuels.html
10. Wikipedia: Gulf War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War
11. http://www.thefinertimes.com/War-in-The-Middle-East/causes-of-gulf-war-desert-
storm.html