Fossil Fuels and Energy Transition

These flashcards cover key concepts and historical perspectives on fossil fuels, particularly focusing on coal, its usage, environmental impacts, and government involvement in energy resource management.

The initial main source of energy for developing civilizations was __.

Wood.

Coal was considered __ energy source hundreds of years ago.

Alternative.

The government plays a powerful role in spurring the adoption of __.

Fossil fuels.

The process of __ involves removing the mountaintop to access coal underneath.

Mountaintop removal mining.

Subsidies are payments from the government to __ or individuals.

Businesses.

The term __ refers to the removal of harmful emissions from coal before burning.

Clean coal.

Coal-fired power plants emit __ more CO2 per unit of energy compared to oil.

40%.

The process of using __ involves government funding for renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

Research.

In mountaintop removal mining, overburden is the __ that is removed and dumped in valleys.

Waste.

Using coal as a fallback energy source has led to significant __ across landscapes.

Destruction.

Natural gas is considered cleaner than coal because it emits __ during combustion.

Less CO2.

The ecological impact of fossil fuel extraction includes __ pollution and habitat destruction.

Water.

Germany replaced natural gas with __ after stopping imports from Russia.

Coal.

Public goods, like roads and energy research, are typically funded by __ dollars.

Tax.

The emissions from burning coal include harmful substances like __ and mercury.

Sulfur.

China accounts for __% of the world's coal consumption.

55%.

Mountaintop removal mining primarily affects __ habitats.

Terrestrial.

Numerous externalities from coal mining take a toll on __ environments and communities.

Aquatic.