GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air. Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming. Already the average global temperature has increased by 1C.

Detailed explanation-2: -All living things-even people-are made up of carbon. But when coal burns, its carbon combines with oxygen in the air and forms carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas, but in the atmosphere, it is one of several gases that can trap the earth’s heat.

Detailed explanation-3: -Thus, the carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels accumulates in the atmosphere, some of which then dissolves in the ocean causing ocean acidification. The burning of fossil fuels affects the Earth system in a variety of ways.

Detailed explanation-4: -Fossil fuels produce large quantities of carbon dioxide when burned. Carbon emissions trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to climate change. In the United States, the burning of fossil fuels, particularly for the power and transportation sectors, accounts for about three-quarters of our carbon emissions.

Detailed explanation-5: -CO2 in the Atmosphere The burning of fossil fuels–like coal, oil and natural gas–releases gases into the air, mainly carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.