COAL AND PETROLEUM (FOSSIL FUELS)
- Coal and petroleum, formed from degraded biomass millions of years ago, are exhaustible resources. Petroleum is estimated to last about 40 years, and coal about 200 years, necessitating alternate sources.
- Fossil fuels contain carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulphur. Burning them produces CO2, water, oxides of nitrogen, and oxides of sulphur. In insufficient oxygen, carbon monoxide (CO) forms. Oxides of sulphur, nitrogen, and CO are poisonous at high concentrations, and CO2 is a greenhouse gas causing global warming. These resources must be used judiciously.
- Management of coal and petroleum focuses on machine efficiency. Fuel is commonly used in internal combustion engines for transportation. Recent research aims for complete combustion to increase efficiency and reduce air pollution.
AN OVERVIEW OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
- Sustainable management of natural resources is challenging, requiring consideration of various stakeholders’ interests. Selfish goals lead to misery for many and environmental destruction.
- Beyond laws and regulations, we must tailor requirements to ensure development benefits reach everyone now and for future generations.