1. Fossil Fuels and Our Carbon Footprint
Human fossil fuel use

2. Fossil Fuels
Formed hundreds of millions of years ago in the Carboniferous Period
Lots of vegetation died and sank to bottom of swamps
Formed spongy layer of peat that got compressed into sedimentary rock…layer after layer compresses further to form fossil fuels
Three major fossil fuels:
Coal
Oil
Natural gas

3. Coal Mined throughout the world
Pumped underground as “slurry”  coal mixed with water
Delivered through pipelines to power plants and factories
Conversion of coal to electricity

4. Oil Photosynthetic diatoms die and fall to ocean floor
Buried in sedimentary rock
Pressure turned diatoms into oil and natural gas that is found in pockets
Coal can be distilled into oil  petroleum oil
Travels via pipelines and ships
Refineries change crude oil into
Fertilizers, clothes, plastics, gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, etc…

5. Natural Gas Found in “seeps”
Oil was ignited likely by lightning and natural gas was trapped b/w sedimentary rock
Made of methane (CH4)
Highly flammable
No odor or color…before sent to pipeline it is mixed with a highly odorous chemical (“rotten egg smell”)

6. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Fossil Fuels
Relatively abundant
Inexpensive
Cost-effective/efficient
High energy release through burning fossil fuels
Disadvantages
Pollution (global warming contributor?)
Potential for danger (explosions, mining accidents, oil spills)
Environmental effects
Non-renewable

7. Interesting Facts
To run a 100 Watt light bulb 24 hrs/day for a year it takes 325 kg (714 lbs) of coal!
1 L gasoline = 23.5 tons of deposited organic material

8. Ways to reduce our carbon footprint
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Use less heat and air conditioning
Change light bulbs (replace incandescent bulbs w/compact fluorescent bulbs which use 2/3 less energy, give off less heat, and last 10x longer)
Drive less, drive smart – inflate tires, change oil
Buy energy efficient products
Use less hot water
Use the off switch
Plant a tree
Others!