Question

Compare and contrast the environmental consequences of reliance on coal with reliance on petroleum.

Answer 1

Both the coal and the petroleum are fossil fuels, and both of them produce lot of energy when burned or through combustion. They have their positives and negatives.

The coal is primarily extracted on land, so it easier to get to. As a positive is that the coal produces a lot of energy, thus it is capable to run the industry without any problem, until there are reserves that is. On the other hand, the extraction of coal is damaging the environment in the surrounding area, and it is also the fossil fuel that releases the most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus it is a very heavy polluter.

The petroleum is primarily extracted from the sea, so it is harder to get to. As a positive is that the petroleum releases a lot of energy, it is easy for usage, and it is very efficient, so it is capable of running the industry until there are reserves of it. A negative from the petroleum is that its extraction is badly damaging the environment in the seas, and it also causes lot of pollution (though much less than the coal) to the air when burned. Another negative thing are the spills of it, as once it gets spilled into the water or on land, it manages to kill off pretty much everything alive.