© Oxford University Press 2011 IP Fossil fuel use in the UK Fossil fuel use in the UK

© Oxford University Press 2011 IP Fossil fuel use in the UK When fossil fuels are burned in a power station, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

© Oxford University Press 2011 IP Fossil fuel use in the UK Fossil fuelCarbon dioxide production CoalVery high OilHigh Natural gasMedium This table shows the relative levels of carbon dioxide production across the different fossil fuels.

© Oxford University Press 2011 IP Fossil fuel use in the UK Slowly the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases and this contributes to the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide traps heat inside the Earth’s atmosphere and this lead to global warming.

© Oxford University Press 2011 IP Fossil fuel use in the UK One idea for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide is called carbon capture. The carbon dioxide is trapped and stored before it enters the atmosphere.

© Oxford University Press 2011 IP Fossil fuel use in the UK One suggestion is that the carbon dioxide should be stored in old oil and gas fields such as those found under the North Sea.

© Oxford University Press 2011 IP Fossil fuel use in the UK Advantages of carbon capture 1Could reduce by over 80% the amount of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere from a coal power plant. 2Allows the continued use of low cost fossil fuel energy sources.

© Oxford University Press 2011 IP Fossil fuel use in the UK Disadvantages of carbon capture 1Carbon capture uses between 10% and 40% of the energy of the power station. 2The safety of the carbon storage is not guaranteed. Leakage may damage the climate. 3Carbon capture is very expensive and the money spent on it could be spent on other climate solutions.