The Science of Climate Change & Air Quality
Fossil Fuels as Main Source of Atmospheric Pollution & Climate Change
Consuming Fossil Fuels
The burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas) result in the emissions of these climate changing pollutants (see centre box).
Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the main greenhouse gases (GHG) causing human-induced climate change and global warming.
These pollutants, either individually or in combination, cause not only climate change, but also the majority of our air pollution problems such as smog, acid rain, and hazardous air pollutants (see last box).
Hazardous air pollutants include highly toxic substances such as mercury (Hg), and other heavy metals.
If we reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, we can reduce the emission of these pollutants and simultaneously resolve the multiple problems of climate change, smog and acid rain.
This Figure shows how much fossil fuel (coal, oil, diesel, gasoline, propane, natural gas) contributes to major air issues.
Fossil fuels are the main source of emissions in Atlantic Canada:
- 92% of the greenhouse gases
- 38% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- 85% of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and
- 80% of sulfur oxides (SOx)
