it is also believed that global warming causes many other environmental problems including higher ocean levels, melting of polar ice caps, increased rain, increased drought, and more extreme temperatures. The combustion engine has been blamed for many of the environmental issues we face. In fact, we can see the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, this rise correlates with the surge of the combustion engine’s emissions.
*Note: Anthropogenic means an affect or object that comes from human activity.
The rise in global temperatures,also known as global warming, correlates with an increase use of the internal combustion engine and an increase in emissions. Since 1880, there has a steady increase in the average temperature of the world (A Warming World).
Although it has yet to be proven, many scientists believe that the increased use of combustion engines’ emissions is the reason behind for global warming and the main issue associated with it, climate change.
Obtaining Fuel
An essential component of the combustion engine is fuel. The crucial role the combustion engine plays in our lives today has driven our need for fuel, which are commonly known as fossil fuels. Examples of fossil fuels are oil, coal, and natural gas. Obtaining these fossil fuels involves many different complex procedures. For example, companies must go through a process called oil drilling in order to get oil. In Layman’s terms, oil drilling is simply drilling a metal bit into hard rock to take out oil from the ground (Oil well drilling). Whether drilling on land or offshore, the process is very similar.
One of the biggest concerns with offshore drilling is the adverse environmental effect. If something goes wrong on an offshore drilling site, billions of gallons of oil can pour into the ocean. If an accident happens near the shores, seabirds often get covered in oil. This thick crude oil makes it hard for them to fluff their wings, which they must do in order to stay warm. Even if an explosion is far offshore, the oil will always come to the surface of the water. Birds who skim the water surface for fish will lose a source of food and, in their attempt to get fish, ingest large amounts of oil. Oil spills can also cause plants and animals that live on the shore to suffocate (Oil spills). When these animals die, scavengers who feed off of their bodies are also indirectly ingest the oil. Ingesting oil kills some animals right away, but usually results in kidney, liver, and brain damage (Effects of Oil on Wildlife and Habitat).
Oil spills can often affect animals in the future. It is very difficult to remove millions of barrels of oil out of water. Even years later, there are still hints of oil in these environments. “Oil has the potential to persist in the environment long after a spill event and has been detected in sediment 30 years after a spill.” (Effects of Oil on Wildlife and Habitat).
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the presence of harmful airborne chemicals in the atmosphere. The Gale Encyclopedia of Science states, “Air pollution is a serious health issue. According to the World Health Organization, nearly five million people die annually from causes directly due to air pollution. Examples include aggravation of asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, lung disease, and heart disease” (Air Pollution).
One of the leading causes of air pollution is emission from burning fossil fuels. As we know, fossil fuels are essential in combustion engines.
This graph shows a rise in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and a rise in emissions from combustion engines (Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, and Energy).
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