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Energy Supply and Pipeline Transportation: Challenges & Opportunities
By
M. Mohitpour
M. Mohitpour
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ISBN-10:
0791802724
ISBN:
9780791802724
No. of Pages:
250
Publisher:
ASME Press
Publication date:
2008

The economic and environmental consequences of the global energy systems are dependent on the availability and consumption of energy resources. However, as dependence on fossil fuels increases, the environmental risks associated with their extraction and the environmental damage caused by their emissions also increase. However, no primary energy source (renewable or nonrenewable) is free of environmental or economic limitations. Conversion to and adoption of environmentally benign energy technology very much depends on political and economic realities.

Some of the environmental consequences of using fossil fuels include:

• Global warming

• Acid rain

• Thermal pollution

Global warming. Caused by emission of various gases when fossil fuels are used in plants (such as use of coal in electrical power generation plants or use of gasoline in plants and automobiles. One of the most significant emitted gases is carbon dioxide (CO2), a gas that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere.

Global average surface temperature has risen about 1 to 1.2°C since reliable records began in the late 1850s (Figure 5.2 IPCC, 2007). This is significant and has been mostly attributed to the increase in carbon dioxide. Projected temperature increase could have detrimental effects on the earth.

Greenhouses Gases
Historical Records
CO2 Chronology
Fossil Fuel Emission Record
CO2 Emission
Carbon Dioxide Emission and Global Economic Consequences
World's Top 10 Most Polluted Places
A Method for Calculation of CO2 Emission
Other Greenhouse Gas Calculation Methodology
Emission Calculations for Hydrocarbon Fuels
Calculation example
Global CO2 Emission Ranking
Conclusion & Issues For Discussion
Key issues
References
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