Whether they are political, environmental, or social in nature, fossil fuels effects can be far reaching and have a significant impact upon the world's population. Fossil fuels power the world's economy and bring money to impoverished regions, which are positive impacts, but some say they are achieved at a significant cost. These costs have prompted governments and private industries around the world to search for different sources of energy, some of which may not come with these negative fossil fuels effects.
One of the most positive fossil fuels effects may be the fact that many of the places that are rich in oil are poor in other natural resources. This may be because they are located in deserts or colder regions of the world where the opportunity for other resources is limited. Therefore, fossil fuels often fund social programs and private economies in areas where there are few other opportunities.
Another one of the fossil fuel advantages is the fact that most internal combustion engines and electrical plants use this type of fuel in the form of gasoline and coal respectively. The reason why fossil fuels became the preferred energy source is because of their ability to convert potential energy into mechanical energy. They do so at a very efficient rate and therefore use less fuel per unit of energy.
While these positive benefits can be very good, especially for some equipment and regions, negative fossil fuels effects have some looking for alternative sources of energy. While these alternative sources often do not produce the same amount of energy, they are often renewable and can be produced in a broader range of geographical locations. They can also counteract some of the negative social, political, and environmental fossil fuels effects.
The social and political impacts of fossil fuels are somewhat related to each other. Political pressures surrounding fossil fuels can often lead to unrest, regime changes, and even war. These situations can lead to extreme social hardships. Even if a country is cash rich, the delivery system and dangerous situations involving social unrest may mean that many people never see many of the benefits of fossil fuel money.
The effects of fossil fuels also include negative impacts on the environment. These include a variety of harmful emissions that come from the burning of fossil fuels, along with the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These emissions are responsible for poor air quality and smog in many areas around the world. Carbon dioxide has been identified by many climate scientists as a key factor in global warming and a particularly potent greenhouse gas.