question_answer

  What are the environmental consequences of using fossil fuels? Suggest the steps to minimise the pollution caused by various sources of energy including non- conventional sources of energy.

Answer:

                  The environmental consequences of wing fossil fuels are (i) The air pollution caused by burning of coal or petroleum products.                             (1/2) (ii) The oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur that are released on burning fossil fuels are acidic oxides. These lead to acid rain which affects our water and soil resources.            (1) (iii) The generation of greenhouse effect of gases like carbon dioxide leading to global warming.                                                             (1) Steps to minimise the pollution are (i) The pollution caused by burning fossil fuels can be reduced by increasing the efficiency of the combustion  process  and  using  various techniques to produce the smokeless appliances.                                                        (1) (ii) The air pollution caused by burning of coal or petroleum products can be reduced by afforestation.                                                (1/2) (iii) The planned and judicious use of energy can minimise the pollution e.g., use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) as domestic fuel and Compressed   Natural   Gas   (CNG)   in transportation vehicles.                                  (1)