English Unlimited HTL 3, Schulbuch mit Audio-CD und CD-ROM

66 Money matters 05 LANGUAGE SKILLS EXPLORE LOOK AGAIN EXTRAS Read the fact file about advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels and answer these questions. 1 Do you think we should go on using fossil fuels? Why? Why not? 2 Can you think of ways to make the use of fossil fuels more environmentally friendly? 3 What could be an alternative to fossil fuels? 37 a Fossil fuels have revolutionised life on earth, but they are non-renewable and depleting energy sources, and we are still heavily dependent on them. Advantages of fossil fuels Fossil fuels are highly stable in nature compared to other fuels. Fossil fuels like coal are still available in large quantities . Fossil fuels give o a large amount of heat during combustion. Equipment for the production of energy from fossil fuels is fully developed. Fossil fuel capabilities are familiar; their applications are fully developed. Transport of liquid or gaseous fossil fuels is very easy. Fossil fuels are still cheaper than non-conventional forms of energy (due to the above facts), and it is still manageable and possible to extract and process them. Disadvantages of fossil fuels Fossil fuels are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, which are a ecting the ozone layer and are responsible for global warming and climate change. Fossil fuels emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, which produce acid rain. Extraction of fossil fuels threatens the ecological balance in many areas (e.g. because of oil spills). Although fossil fuels like oil and natural gas are highly available, their exploitation has resulted in their depletion. ey are non-renewable in nature. Formation of fossil fuels takes millions of years. Complete the sentences with highlighted words from 37a. 1 The advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels must be carefully to decide whether it is safe to go on using them. 2 Fossil fuels have the advantage of being than non-conventional energy sources. 3 The of coal is usually done through mining. This can be either surface mining or underground mining. 4 A factory might various gases or fumes. 5 Coal is a resource, which is one of its disadvantages. 6 The largest of coal are mined in China, the USA, India, Australia and Russia. b compared Info point: Fuels Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv