Fossil fuels have played an important role in powering various aspects of our daily lives, from fueling cars to illuminating our homes. Nonetheless, the utilization of fossil fuels has sparked intense debates. Is it ethical to rely on them? Are they environmentally safe? Should we strive to reduce our reliance on them each passing year? 

In the current era, we are witnessing a growing quest for alternatives to fossil fuels, including renewable energy technology. Coal, natural gas, and petroleum are the most widely used fossil fuels that took millions of years to form.

In the upcoming COP28, where global leaders will convene to address pressing environmental issues, it is crucial to consider the impact of excessive fossil fuel consumption on our planet. While fossil fuels have provided immense benefits, their adverse environmental effects cannot be ignored. The extraction and burning of fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and exacerbating global warming. Additionally, obtaining fossil fuels often leads to destructive practices such as deforestation, habitat destruction, and water pollution.

What Are the Advantages of Fossil Fuels

1. Abundant Availability 

One of the key benefits of fossil fuels is their abundance, which allows them to meet the energy demands of the global population. Fossil fuel reserves can be found in numerous countries worldwide. This aspect reassures governments that these energy sources will not run out soon.

2. Ease of Discovery 

Discovering fossil fuels is relatively straightforward. They are widely distributed globally, often concentrated in rich deposits deep within the Earth. Once the decision is made to extract coal or gas from a specific area, there is a high probability of obtaining substantial resources from that location.

3. Ease of Transportation

Fossil fuels can be transported via large trucks or pipelines installed above or below the ground. Laying these pipelines may initially be costly, but once established, they offer a cost-effective and reliable means of transporting these crucial fuels.

By highlighting the positive aspects of fossil fuels, it is important to note that their use comes with significant environmental challenges. Excessive reliance on fossil fuels contributes to climate change, air pollution, and resource depletion. Therefore, finding sustainable alternatives and transitioning towards cleaner energy sources remains crucial, especially in international efforts like COP28.

Disadvantages of Fossil Fuel

1. Environmental Degradation 

One significant drawback of using fossil fuels is the pollution they create. Scientists worldwide have extensively documented the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide is emitted when these fuels are burned, a major contributor to global warming.

Global warming leads to various consequences, such as the melting of polar ice caps, flooding in low-lying areas, and rising sea levels. If these conditions persist, our planet may face severe repercussions in the near future. Consequently, environmental pollution remains a major disadvantage of relying on fossil fuels.

2. Impact on Human Health 

Fossil fuels are far from environmentally friendly. Burning them results in pollution, leading to significant health issues. Air pollution-related diseases claim the lives of millions of children each year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that air pollution is responsible for around 7 million premature deaths yearly. High levels of air pollution can cause severe health complications, including chronic asthma, reduced lung function, chronic bronchitis, and cardiovascular diseases. People residing in areas with heavy traffic are particularly at risk.

COP28 highlights the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources to mitigate the adverse effects of fossil fuel combustion on human health.

3. Finite Energy Source (Non-renewable) 

Fossil fuels are finite energy resources, meaning they will slowly run out. We cannot replenish fossil fuels, unlike renewable energy sources like sunlight, water, or wind. The amount of fossil fuels in the Earth’s crust today represents all we will ever have unless hundreds of millions of years pass and more organic matter decomposes.

This reality implies that once gas, coal, and petroleum reserves are completely depleted, no more will be left. Current projections suggest this could occur within the next 50 years. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a suitable and efficient alternative to petroleum for powering vehicles, so our reliance on cars may need to change drastically.

COP28 will emphasize the urgency of finding sustainable solutions y introducing renewable energy technology to replace fossil fuels before they become entirely depleted.

UAE: Country That Excessively Use Fossil Fuel

• The UAE is one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers. In 2021, the UAE produced an estimated 3.1 million barrels of oil per day and 125 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day
• The UAE’s economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. In 2020, fossil fuels accounted for 81% of the UAE’s total energy consumption and 65% of its government revenue. This reliance on fossil fuels makes the UAE vulnerable to fluctuations in the global oil and gas market
• The UAE’s use of fossil fuels is having a significant impact on the atmosphere. The UAE is a major emitter of greenhouse gasses, and its emissions are projected to increase in the coming years. This is contributing to climate change, which is already having several negative impacts on the UAE, including severe weather events, rising sea levels, and desertification
• The UAE’s use of fossil fuels is also harming human health. Burning fossil fuels releases air pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. These pollutants are particularly harmful to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions