In this final post on crude oil I’ll discuss why there’s so much controversy over oil. In short, using fossil fuels like crude has negative effects on the environment, economy, and therefore everyone.
The organic material that is found in crude oil sometimes contain sulfur atoms which if combusted turns into SO2 and then into H2SO4, which causes acid rain. Acid rain kills everything from fish to forests. In an attempt to reduce emissions and the effects of acid rain, sulfur emissions have some of the tightest governmental regulations in the refining industry.
Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD) is diesel with a sulfur concentration below 500 parts per million (ppm) – the old standard. Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), the required diesel for new trucks starting in 2007, must have sulfur concentrations below 15 ppm. In a few more years, all highway vehicles will use ULSD by law. Below are the stickers you may have seen on diesel gas pumps. Sulfur and other organics are regulated in most fuel products, including gasoline.
While regulating acid rain causing components in fuels is a step in the right direction, it’s definitely not enough. The real problem with oil as an energy source isn’t the sulfur, it’s the carbon. When the hydrocarbons in gasoline and other petroleum products are burned for energy, the carbon backbones break apart and form the greenhouse gas CO2.
Greenhouse gases make up just a tiny fraction of the atmosphere. But that tiny fraction is an important part because it forms an invisible blanket around the earth. These gases in the atmosphere allow sunlight into the atmosphere but block the light from reflecting back off the earth into space. They keep heat in. As we burn hydrocarbons to get energy and other products we release more of these gases – warming the earth.
The greenhouse effect is a good thing since it keeps the earth warm enough for us to live on. But there is a delicate balance between warm enough and too warm. Climate change and global warming have been directly linked to the increased CO2 levels in the over the last 100 years (IPCC).
Another huge problem with fossil fuels is that they take millions of years to form. We are most definitely depleting this valuable resource faster than it’s being replenished. Basically, we will run low on oil eventually. It’s just a matter of when. Some think it might be soon. I think I agree.
I’m not saying we have to shut down every oil well on the planet. In fact, I think we’ll probably always need petroleum for some reason or another – just like we’ll probably always need trees as a basic building material. What I am saying is that we should use a reasonable amount of it. We should grow back a tree for every one that we cut down – so that we don’t run out. We should use a reasonable amount of oil – so that we don’t run out.
As countries like India and China (combined population: 2.5 Billion) grow, demand for oil will grow. We will deplete resources faster.
So what can you do? Think about the oil it took to make and transport that thing to your local super mart. Think about the gas you burn and pollution you release every time you start your car. Ask yourself whether you could walk/bike/bus instead of driving or hold off without that new trinket. Ask yourself whether the energy your about to use is worth the benefit you’ll receive. The answer can be yes, but it’s no sometimes too. Also, take a minute to think about what happens when you throw something away. Check out the story of stuff.
Wikipedia sums it up well: “petroleum’s worth as a portable, dense energy source powering the vast majority of vehicles and as the base of many industrial chemicals makes it one of the world’s most important commodities.” If we want to slow climate change, and eventually have a chance at reversing it, we must stop using fossil fuels like crude oil. It’s just that simple. But we’ll have to restrain ourselves a bit.