Fossil fuels are extracted from the Earth and burned to provide energy for various purposes. The type of fossil fuels and their impact on the environment is explained in the table below.
The use of fossil fuels has increased a lot in the last 100 years leading to very damaging imapcts on our planet.
| Name of Fuel |
Where is it used |
Impact on Environment |
| Petrol |
Petrol is used in various modes of transport such as Cars, Motor bikes etc. |
Petrol release carbon dioxide which causes Global warming |
| Diesel |
Diesel is used for - running heavy road vehicles, overland shipping, military vehicles and
to power modes of water transportation.
| Diesel emissions contribute to air, water and soil pollution as well as global climate change |
| Natural gas |
Natural gas is used in houses for heat and appliances. |
It causes global warming because it produces greenhouse gas. It can kill many things, for example in your backyard it can kill the flowers. |
| Coal |
Coal is used in electricity generation and it used to make steel |
The environmental impact of the coal industry includes issues such as land use, waste management, water and air pollution, caused by the coal mining, processing and the use of its products. |