Assignment 1 Discussion: Nonrenewable Resources Today
Assignment 1 Discussionnonrenewable Resourcestoday More Than Any Ot
Assignment 1: Discussion—Nonrenewable Resources Today, more than any other time in history, there is growing support to move away from nonrenewable resources towards developing renewable resources to meet current and future energy needs. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources that continue to negatively impact the environment. It is important to learn how these resources are formed since this process of formation is at the very heart of why fossil fuels are considered to be nonrenewable. Using the readings for this module, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, research the nonrenewable resource assigned to you: Coal, Natural gas, Petroleum (oil). Note: You are assigned a resource based on the first initial of your last name.
Last names beginning with A–J research coal, names beginning with K–R research natural gas, and names beginning with S–Z research oil. Respond to the following: Describe how this nonrenewable resource was initially formed. Briefly explain where the major reserves of this nonrenewable resource are located and how it is extracted. Examine the environmental impact caused by the extraction process. Explain how this nonrenewable resource is used to produce energy, and identify the pollution problems that are caused from this energy source.
Support your statements with appropriate examples and scholarly references. Write your initial response in approximately 350–400 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. By Saturday, September 6, 2014, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Through Wednesday, September 10, 2014, review and comment on at least two peers’ responses.
Address the following: Given the environmental issue or issues the use of this particular resource causes, why do you think society relies so heavily on it? What kind of a role do you think governmental politics plays in current energy demands? If in fact society were to change to an environmentally friendly fuel source, what do you think would be the political or economic ramifications?
Paper For Above instruction
Nonrenewable resources such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum have historically been the backbone of global energy production. Their formation, extraction, environmental impacts, and socio-political significance are crucial to understand as the world transitions toward sustainable energy sources. This paper focuses on petroleum (oil), especially considering its widespread use and impact, although similar principles apply to other nonrenewable resources.
Formation of Petroleum
Petroleum, primarily comprising hydrocarbons, originates from the ancient biological material—plankton and other microorganisms—sedimented on the ocean floor millions of years ago. Over geological time, these organic materials were buried under layers of sediment, subjected to immense heat and pressure, transforming them into crude oil. This process, known as catagenesis, involves complex chemical changes that convert organic matter into liquid hydrocarbon deposits (Tissot & Welte, 1984). The accumulation over millions of years resulted in large reserves of petroleum trapped within porous rock formations, often capped by non-permeable cap rocks that prevent the oil from migrating to the surface.
Major Reserves and Extraction Methods
The world's major petroleum reserves are primarily located in the Middle East, including countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait, which host some of the largest oil fields globally. Other significant reserves are found in North America (e.g., the U.S., Canada), South America (e.g., Venezuela), and parts of Africa (e.g., Nigeria). Extraction methods include primary recovery, where natural pressure pushes oil to the surface; secondary recovery, involving water or gas injection to mobilize trapped oil; and tertiary or enhanced recovery techniques like thermal injections or chemical flooding to maximize extraction efficiency (McKinney & Trudel, 2011). Drill rigs and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) are also common methods used to access reserves in unconventional formations.
Environmental Impacts of Extraction
Petroleum extraction is associated with various environmental issues. Oil spills during drilling and transportation can devastate marine and coastal ecosystems, exemplified by incidents such as the Deepwater Horizon spill (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2016). Additionally, hydraulic fracturing has raised concerns over groundwater contamination and induced seismic activity (Vengosh et al., 2014). Land disturbance, habitat destruction, and air pollution from drilling activities and flaring also pose significant environmental threats. The energy-intensive nature of extraction further contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, aggravating climate change.
Energy Production and Pollution
Refined petroleum products—including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil—are central to the global energy supply. Combustion of these fuels powers transportation, industry, and residential heating. However, burning fossil fuels releases pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants contribute to air quality deterioration, acid rain, and accelerate global warming (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018). Moreover, unburned hydrocarbons and incomplete combustion contribute to smog formation and health hazards.
Societal Reliance, Political Role, and Future Implications
Despite environmental drawbacks, society's reliance on petroleum remains high due to its energy density, established infrastructure, and economic importance. The oil industry provides millions of jobs, supports national economies, and ensures energy security—factors reinforced by political and vested interests (Klare, 2012). Governments worldwide often subsidize fossil fuels to maintain economic stability, delaying transitions to renewable sources.
Transitioning to environmentally friendly fuels poses political and economic challenges. Such shifts could lead to loss of jobs in traditional industries, geopolitical shifts in oil-dependent regions, and increased costs for consumers during infrastructure retooling. Policymakers must balance environmental sustainability with economic stability, often facing resistance from powerful fossil fuel interests. Conversely, embracing renewable energy could foster innovation, reduce carbon footprints, and stimulate new economic sectors, though it requires significant initial investments and political will (Sachs, 2015).
In conclusion, petroleum remains a dominant energy resource due to its energy density, existing infrastructure, and economic significance. However, its environmental impacts and finite nature necessitate a concerted effort toward sustainable energy alternatives, involving complex political and economic considerations.
References
- Klare, M. T. (2012). The race for what's left: The global scramble for the world's last resources. Metropolitan Books.
- McKinney, W., & Trudel, N. (2011). Environmental Science: Systems and Solutions. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2016). Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. NOAA News.
- Sachs, J. D. (2015). The age of sustainable development. Columbia University Press.
- Tissot, B. P., & Welte, D. H. (1984). Petroleum Formation and Occurrence. Springer.
- Vengosh, A., et al. (2014). A review of the risks of hydraulic fracturing to water resources. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(15), 8364–8378.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Air pollution and health. WHO Fact Sheets.