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Kidcyber

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Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, buried deep inside the Earth for millions of years.

Over a long, long time, heat and pressure has turned these remains into the fossil fuels that we call coal, oil and natural gas. Today, fossil fuels are mined and burned to release the energy stored inside them.

Fossil fuels are widely used because there is a good supply and they are fairly cheap to mine and drill for. However, fossil fuels are non-renewable, which means that one day they will be all gone. People can't make fossil fuels!

Some uses of fossil fuels

Coal and natural gas are burned to make the electricity that we use in our homes for cooking and for heating and cooling.

They are used to power factories.

Oil is changed into petrol for cars and trucks, and into fuel for aeroplanes and ships.

Plastics are made from fossil fuels.

What's wrong with fossil fuels?

When they are burned, the carbon stored inside fossil fuels is released into the atmosphere as a gas known as carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and is causing global warming.

Burning petrol (made from oil) in cars pollutes the air we breathe.

Power plants too burn oil and coal to make electricity and release poisonous gases into the air. These gases cause air pollution and acid rain.

Coal is a fossil fuel

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Information for kids K - 6 about fossil fuels and their uses, the pros and cons. Includes easy to read section for early readers. For school and homeschooling projects or for reading for interest.

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Green America

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While some policymakers support "clean coal", coal can never be clean. Here's why.

Climate Change

The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, increasing levels of CO2 and other gasses, trapping heat, and contributing to global climate change.

Coal combustion releases the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) during combustion. Coal-fired power plants release more greenhouse gases per unit of energy produced than any other electricity source (1).

Coal supplies around 33% of the energy used for electricity in the United States, which makes coal-fired power plants a prime target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (2). (Coal use for electricity is declining, by 2018 the electricity energy share for coal has fallen to 27%).

Luckily, coal-fired plants are closing down throughout the U.S. as the fuel becomes less profitable due to state and federal regulations, an aging fleet, and competition from other sectors such as natural gas, wind, and solar (3).

The coal mining process releases methane, which is 87 more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2 over a 20 year period (4).

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies have been marketed as a way to address climate emissions from burning coal, by pumping CO2 produced through burning coal underground isntead of into the air. However, the technology is extremely expensive, and even if the carbon can be sequestered, the coal-fired plant will still result in destructive coal mining as well as toxic coal ash as a byproduct.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is another side-effect of fossil fuel use. Air pollution is generally more regional than the effects of carbon dioxide, and can have devastating impacts on local populations and ecosystems.

Coal combustion releases sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which react with water and oxygen to form acid rain. Acid rain corrodes buildings and structures and acidifies freshwater environments, damaging aquatic ecosystems (5).

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react to form ground-level ozone, or smog. Smog can cause a variety of respiratory and cardiovascular effects and is especially dangerous to the elderly, young children, and people with asthma (6).

Fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) is released into the air in the form of fly ash. This particulate matter gets lodged in the lungs when inhaled and increases the risk for pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer (7).

Water Pollution

Like air pollution, water pollution is another more localized effect of fossil fuel use. Water is usually polluted during the process of extraction or in the handling of waste products. Water pollution can also have devastating impacts on human health the the environment.

Coal-fired power plants account for 41% of anthropogenic (human-caused) mercury emissions, which can travel long distances before being deposited in soil or water. Mercury accumulates in food-chains and can reach very high levels in many types of fish that are consumed by humans. Mercury is highly toxic and is especially dangerous to children (8).

Coal combustion waste contains many toxic chemicals and heavy metals, which are known to cause birth defects, reproductive disorders, neurological damage, learning disabilities, kidney disease, and diabetes (9).

This waste is often stored in large impoundment ponds. Massive spills from breaches in these ponds are documented, and many ponds are currently classified as "high hazard" by the EPA. This means they are at risk to spill and cause significant property damage, environmental damage, injuries, and deaths (9).

Under certain conditions, impoundment ponds are also known to leach contaminants like arsenic into the soil and groundwater, potentially poisoning freshwater sources (10).

(1) "Carbon Dioxide Emissions Coeffecients." EIA. gov U.S. Energy Information Administration. Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Aug. 2016.

(2) "Frequently Asked Questions." EIA. gov. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Apr. 2016. Web. 23 Aug. 2016.

(3) "Impact of EPA's Regulatory Assault on Power Plants." IER.org Institute for Energy Research, June 2012. Web. 23 Aug. 2016

(4) "Overview of Greenhouse Gases." EPA.gov. Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 23 Aug. 2016.

(5) "What is Acid Rain?" EPA.gov. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. March 2016. Web. 23 Aug. 2016

(6) "Health Effects of Ozone Pollution." EPA.gov. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 23 Aug. 2016

(7) "Coal Ash Basics." EPA.gov. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. June 2016. Web. 23 Aug. 2016

(8) Trasande, Leonardo, Philip J. Landrigan, and Clyde Schechter. "Public Health and Economic Consequences of Methyl Mercury Toxicity to the Developing Brain." Environmental Health Perspectives 113.5 (2005): 590-96.

(9) "Coming Clean: What the EPA Knows About the Dangers of Coal Ash." The Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice. May 2009. Web. 24 Aug. 2016.

(10) Clean Air Task Force. Dirty Air, Dirty Power: Mortality and Health Damage Due to Air Pollution from Power Plants. June 2004. Web. 24 Aug. 2016.

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While some policymakers support "clean coal", coal can never be clean. Here's why. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, increasing levels of CO2 and other gasses, trapping heat, and contributing to global climate change. Coal combustion releases the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) during combustion.

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NATURAL GAS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: PROBLEMS AND BENEFITS

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NATURAL GAS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: PROBLEMS AND BENEFITS

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Met Group

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Natural gas has a pretty good reputation among fossil fuels. While burning this fossil fuel, it emits much fewer greenhouse gases than oil or coal. But we cannot say it is environmental-friendly: it is just less polluting.

How does natural gas affect the environment?

Natural gas environmental impact is based on 3 pillars:

Drilling and extraction

Transportation

Burning and consumption

Drilling and extraction:
Drilling a well can affect wildlife and land use. With this intervention, local ecosystems could collapse: breaking migration patterns, pollute rivers and streams, causing erosion of dirt and pollutants are all side-effects of natural gas extraction. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can cause earthquakes and it overburdens the local water sources. This technique is part of the gas industry that an environmental protection agency would ban as soon as possible.

Read more: How is natural gas extracted?
Transportation:
Building an infrastructure to transport the gas from the wells to natural gas power plants is also a polluting process. Laying pipelines can cause habitat fragmentation and cross key areas from the perspective of nature. Gas leaks from pipes can cause big environmental trouble in the groundwater levels (and even on the surface).

Read more: Natural Gas Transportation.
Burning and consumption:
Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel because it burns cleaner. In power plants, natural gas emits 50 to 60 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than regular oil or coal-fired power plants. It also emits greenhouse gases with a lower life cycle into the atmosphere. However, combustion also releases methane and lowers air quality.

Natural gas environmental benefits

Statistics prove there are many benefits of natural gas. Among non-renewable energy sources, the emissions from its combustion are lower. Carbon dioxide emissions are the lowest with this material.

Source: https://www.volker-quaschning.de/datserv/CO2-spez/index_e.php

Natural gas is reliable: storing and transporting it is effective, thus the use of this energy is guaranteed. It is non-renewable, but the biggest problem with renewable energy is that we cannot store it effectively.

Price is not an environmental reason: natural gas is one of the cheapest sources of energy.

Is natural gas bad for the environment?

Every fossil fuel extraction is bad for the environment and increases our economic footprint. So if the question is "Is natural gas worse for the environment than solar power?", the answer is yes. But if we ask "Is natural gas the most eco-friendly fossil power source?", the answer is also yes.

The biggest threat of natural gas extraction is the process of fracking, using a lot of water from local water reservoirs and polluting the streams. Besides, this process releases methane into the air. While carbon dioxide emission is not that high, burning natural gas also releases methane, which is a strong greenhouse gas that leaks to the atmosphere in a big amount.

Burning natural gas also emits carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). It is also dangerous if not transported or extracted responsibly. Natural gas produce can end with an explosion if not shipped correctly. The problem with natural gas is its storing: the volume of the gas needs bigger storage places, which are costly to maintain.

A big disadvantage is that it is not renewable. According to Worldometers, only 52 years of natural gas reserves are left to extract. If you never want to run out of energy, you have to think about new sources besides natural gas.

Yet, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tells that the global natural gas resource base is vast and more widely dispersed geographically than oil -so it is a more reliable source of energy.

Natural gas environmental impact: the future

According to new research, National Geographic tells us that natural gas is a much 'dirtier' energy source than we thought. This means methane emissions are an even higher impact than we thought.

Yet, a simple question remains unanswered: is natural gas (and methane) just a "bridge fuel" between fossil fuels and renewable energy, or will it remain with us for a long time?

While the signs from the environment suggest the first option, the market tells us just the opposite. Natural gas will not solve the global warming problem.

Conclusion: environmental effects of natural gas

The most environmental-friendly fossil fuel is natural gas. A gas-fired power plant's emissions have 50 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) during combustion compared to a coal power plant.

Key advantages:

Cheap

Has less carbon dioxide emissions than other fossil fuels

Reliable

Disadvantages:

Costly to store

Dangerous: it could explode

Has much more CO2 and methane emissions than solar or wind power

Hydraulic fracturing can break natural habitats

Natural gas production does not solve the climate crisis, but it is the "lesser evil" option compared to other fossil fuels.

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natural gas environmental impact: problems and benefits

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Natural gas environmental impact: problems and benefits

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Natural gas has a pretty good reputation among fossil fuels. While burning this fossil fuel, it emits much fewer greenhouse gases than oil or coal. But we cannot say it is environmental-friendly: it is just less polluting.

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What is renewable and non-renewable energy?

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What is renewable and non-renewable energy?

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BBC Bitesize

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A lot of our energy comes from non-renewable sources such as coal, oil and gas.

These resources are made up from the remains of ancient animals and plants...

...that develop over millions and millions of years deep beneath the ground into what we call fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels are burned by power stations to produce electricity as well as in things like cars, planes and...

...steam trains!

But non-renewable resources generate harmful greenhouse gases that damage the habitats of animals and plants, and contribute to global warming.

And our increasing demand for energy means they won't last forever.

So we need to look for ways to make renewable and sustainable energy resources.

For example wind, solar and hydro energy.

These are just some of the resources that are more friendly towards the environment.

These renewable energy resources can quickly replenish themselves and can be used again and again.

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What is renewable and non-renewable energy?

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What are the different types of renewable and non-renewable energy? Find out in this KS2 Science guide.

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Calling all recruits! This is Director V speaking here.
Are you looking for an exciting career that uses creativity and innovation? Inspires leadership? Solves real-world problems? And impacts the world? Then our data streams say a career in energy may be the right fit for you!
Not sure? Well try to imagine a world without electricity ... There would be no lights, no air conditioning, no refrigerators, no showers, no phones ... almost everything we need to survive! So it's no joke that electric power is one of the most important innovations of all time. And it miraculously always seems to be there, just ready to do work for us. So here is a puzzle for you to solve: How many careers do you think it takes to deliver electricity to the 300 million people in the U.S.?

The truth is that there are tons of jobs that make up the energy industry and power up our daily lives! And these careers not only offer exciting challenges and good pay, but also chances for you to put your STEM skills to the test. STEM is a term we use to describe education and careers that relate to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. And with a job in energy, you can become a whiz in STEM fields to power up communities and improve peoples' lives. Now doesn't that sound fulfilling?And because clean energy is growing, these STEM careers in energy will be in high-demand.
Are you curious to know more about those careers? Are you ready to put your detective skills to work? Then snoop on the investigative report below! Construction Management Engineer
Madison Gas & Electric
Job Duties:

Manage the construction work of power generators, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and natural gas
Education Needed:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, also opportunities for bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Associate Degree in Energy Technology.
Favorite parts of the job: "I like working in the utility industry because there is a lot of equipment and ways of producing electricity. We have the solar panels, the boilers, the wind turbines ... and it's equipment that comes from all over the world!" Impacts on the world: "Electricity is an integral part of everyday from your alarm clock to your lights to your cellphones. You are constantly relying on electricity throughout the day. And myself and the industry get to be a part of that and provide an important service to the community." Lead Mechanical Technician
Kaukauna Utilities
Job Duties:

Works on and maintains Hydro Operation's for Kaukauna Utilities at their seven Hydro Facilities, servicing nineteen unites.
Education Needed:
Technical Degree as Maintenance Mechanic or Electro/Mechanical Technician
Favorite parts of the job: "I like the variety of work, troubleshooting problems, making repairs, and doing overhauls." Impacts on the World: "I am very proud of myself and the guys and girls I work with when the Badger Plant stays running 24/7. That means I am doing my job right and making good clean energy for people to use at home. [And] I get to go home every day and turn on electricity and watch my favorite TV show or make dinner or turn on the backyard lights, knowing that I did something today that is very productive and everyone gets to use it. Including myself." Transmission Line Superintendent
MJ Electric
Job Duties:

Manage and direct construction work of transmission lines
Education Needed:
High school diploma and 4-year apprenticeship with on the job training to start in the position of journeyman line worker. Annual on-the-job training thereafter ranges from CPR and first aid to helicopter work on energized lines. Strong math and mechanical engineering skills are a plus. Strong work ethic and ability to work through unknown challenges make for a great start in this career.
Favorite Part of Job: "It's challenging, it keeps me outdoors, and the people I get to meet and work with are some of the best people I have met in the world. [Also], technology has changed so much in just my short career of building power lines. And the need for power has increased immensely. I enjoy being on the leading edge of new technology and new ways of doing things. I think that is a great way to spend your career." Impacts on the World: "Weather and storms create havoc on the electrical system. Our maintenance and upgrades are able to combat that by building stronger structures and lines that are less likely to go down in significant weather." Manager of Reliability Planning
American Transmission Company
Job Duties:

Plan for pathways and technology to deliver reliable electricity to people cost-effectively

Evaluate and design future needs of the electrical transmission system to connect our customers to a sustainable energy future

Education Needed:
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering
Favorite Part of Job: "I love my job because we are doing something here for the benefit of the public. Everybody knows how frustrating it is when their power goes out. [But] we've got a great team of professionals that work together well, and there's no problem we can't solve." Impacts on the World: "We have a more reliable and more cost-effective way to serve customers' needs then we did 5-15 years ago. And the fact that we have a reliable system that can serve customers with renewable energy when they need it makes me feel proud of the impacts we've had and the job we have done." Substation Engineer
American Transmission Company
Job Duties:

To lead project teams in the design and construction of new substations or the modification of existing substations (Substations are electric facilities that lower and distribute electric power to a safer and more usable level to those who need it).
Education Needed:
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering
Favorite Part of Job: "If you think about it, everything needs electricity: where you work, the industry, your homes. We make sure that that power gets to your homes every day, 24 hours, 7 days a week reliably. And what's great about my job is I solve problems to make sure that happens day in and day out." Impacts on the World: "What I am most proud about with my job at ATC is I can be a good influence to younger engineers and to youth so they also can contribute to society. Being a substation engineer allows me to utilize the gifts that I have and be an example to our next generation." System Control Operator
American Transmission Company
Job Duties:

Monitor and manage the electrical grid from a set of computer consoles in a control center

Reconnect power to communities when electric power is interrupted

When equipment breaks down, they create a safe zone for maintenance workers to work

Maintain the safety and reliability of the power grid

Operate the power grid in compliance with required standards, procedures, and guidelines

Education Needed:

A two-year technical degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or a related field

Favorite Part of Job: "I love doing my job because it's different every day, and it poses a lot of mental challenges to figure out that happen without warning. Millions of people rely on our power [and] it's really important to keep power going to each and every family and each and every household. We know you guys rely on it a lot every day to do what you do at home and at work." Impacts on the World: "I take pride in my job because I get to help people. Whether they know it or not, we are always here. All holidays, all weekends, all nights. Here to protect the grid and to keep the lights on for you guys so that when you wake up in the morning to your alarm clock and your phone's all charged, you are ready to go to work. You're ready to go to school. And to be a part of society, just like us." Team Leader of Transmission Line Maintenance
American Transmission Company
Job Duties:

Monitor, maintain, and repair 10,000 miles of transmission lines
Education Needed:
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
Favorite Part about the Job: "I Impacts to the World: "I take pride in knowing my awesome team and I have the responsibility for the maintenance of the 10,000 miles of transmission line that deliver power to our communities. I feel good at the end of the day being behind the scenes, making a difference, and ensuring the safe and reliable transmission of electric power." Cybersecurity Engineer really enjoy the variety of my job. One day I may be in a helicopter flying down the power line. The next day, I may be in the field with somebody going up in a bucket truck to look closely at facilities way up in the air. I also spend time in the office, reviewing data and engineering solutions to problems. So there is a wide variety of things I get to do throughout the week." Job Duties:
American Transmission Company
Education Needed:

Protect ATC and the electrical grid from cyber attacks

Prevent and detect malicious malware or viruses that could disrupt the electrical grid

Favorite Parts of the Job: "The best part of my job is investigating and ripping apart the malware and malicious documents used by attackers to try and trick people! It's true! I get paid to do that and it is so fun!" Impacts to the World: "My job is important because I help to protect the electrical system of the United States. This allows everyone to be able to charge their phones, to be able to turn on lights, to turn on dishwashers, to live at home, to turn on computers, and more. Since everyone relies on electricity, what I do truly matters. A lot of people in this state depend on me to protect the electrical grid." Regulatory Compliance Manager
Computer Science degree
Job Duties:
American Transmission Company
Education Needed:

Make sure employees know and follow Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and North American Electric Reliability Corp. rules that ensure electrical grid reliability.
Favorite Parts of the Job: "The thing I love most about my job is I rarely do the same thing two days in a row. I could be spending time in the office performing research and reading documents one day, and then I am traveling another day, drafting grid reliability rules with regulators." Impacts on the World: "My job as a utility compliance professional gives me a great sense of satisfaction mainly because I am here to help people. I know that some of the things that I bring to the table help this company keep the lights on for everybody, keep hospitals up and running, keep 911 going. And anytime there is an emergency, people have the power that they need." Manager of Vegetation Management
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with emphasis in engineering, accounting, physics, information technology or other business-related curriculum.
Job Duties:
American Transmission Company
Education Needed:

Manage vegetation under and surrounding transmission lines to ensure vegetation does not interfere with the reliable transmission of electricity

Work with environmental managers to avoid and minimize impacts to the ecosystems and wildlife near transmission lines

Favorite Parts of the Job: "I love my job here because it allows me to take the passion I have for providing safe, reliable electric power to people so they can do the things they love to do. They can be healthy, they can have electronics, they can have food. But I am doing in a responsible way that also protects the environment and allows habitat to be developed for things like pollinators in our rights-of-way." Impacts on the World: "It allows me to have a bigger impact on the environment and the community. So aside from providing reliable electric power, I have the opportunity to help promote a right-of-way that is sustainable and protects pollinators and promotes pollinator species, which then has a much larger effect on other species, humans, and what we need to flourish and survive."

Undergraduate or graduate degree in a technical (e.g. natural sciences, forestry) or business discipline. Or on the job experience in utility rights-of-way management.

Don't these jobs look neat? In fact, if any of these careers peak your interest, it may be worth job shadowing a person in the field. Just contact a utility near you for help!

Not sure if you will have the time? Then check out the video above! You will go undercover with our secret agents as career trainees and discover the real scoop on electricity! Or visit any of the webpages below. You and your class will experiment different career roles and invent energy systems for your community!

Our educational partner, American Transmission Company (ATC), supported the video content above. To learn more about their role in electric reliability, check out the link below.

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Electrifying Careers in Energy - TV Show - Into The Outdoors

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Calling all recruits! This is Director V speaking here. Are you looking for an exciting career that uses creativity and innovation? Inspires leadership? Solves real-world problems? And impacts the world? Then our data streams say a career in energy may be the right fit for you! Not sure?

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Scholastic Study Jams!

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Renewable Fuels: StudyJams! Science | Scholastic.com

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Some sources of energy will run out eventually, but others can be replaced. This activity will teach students about the different types of renewable fuels.

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Cyberchase . Games . Watts of Trouble | PBS KIDS

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Power up rides in R-Fair City using renewable energy.

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Conserving Non-Renewable Resources | PBS LearningMedia

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Learn why it is important to be careful when using non-renewable resources in this video from CYBERCHASE. Students discover that most electricity currently comes from burning gas, oil, and coal, which are all resources that cannot be replaced once they are consumed.

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When you flick on a light switch or plug in your computer you're using electricity. But where does it come from and how does it reach your house?

About 40 percent of the energy from all energy resources is used to generate electricity, more than for any other single purpose. Scientific and technical understanding of energy has allowed us to generate, transmit and use electricity to heat homes, charge phones, light streets and so much more. In 2012 the U.S. generated more than four thousand billion kilowatt hours of electricity. That's enough energy to drive today's electric cars almost 12 trillion miles, or to the Sun and back nearly 12,000 times.

[edge_animation id="16"]
Click on the numbers above to learn how electricity gets to your home.

As modern society became electrified there developed a network of power plants, transmission lines, substations and other components of an electricity transmission and distribution system. This network is called the "electrical grid," or simply the grid. In the U.S., the grid is composed of approximately 6,600 power plants, over 300,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and tens of millions of final electricity-user destinations.
This interactive explainer is featured in our Energy e-book series. Click on the thumbnails below to download our free e-books or subscribe to our iTunes U course. You can also visit our e-books page to view our other offerings.
Examine the science of energy, from what it is to where it comes from.

Explore how humans use energy - from generating electricity to developing energy-efficient technologies.

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How Does Electricity Get to Your Home? | KQED

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When you flick on a light switch or plug in your computer you're using electricity. But where does it come from and how does it reach your house? About 40 percent of the energy from all energy resources is used to generate electricity, more than for any other single purpose.

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Scholastic Study Jams!

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Natural Resources: StudyJams! Science | Scholastic.com

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Humans have many needs like shelter, food, and oxygen. This StudyJams! activity will teach students about natural resources and why they are important.