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UNIT 9
APPLICATION AND ETHICS
CLIMATE CHANGE
ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS
AT THE END OF THE FEATURE
ETHICS QUESTION
Is it ethical to continue to use fossil fuels? Explain. Yes, it is ethical to continue to use fossil
fuels, at least until renewable sources produce enough energy to meet our needs. Fossil fuels—
coal, oil, and gas—are necessary to human activity. They constitute the largest share of the
world’s energy supply. They provide power for transport and electricity. And these resources are
the raw materials for many useful products—plastics, cosmetics, and medicines, for example.
No—the use of fossil fuels as an energy source should stop as soon as possible. The
greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels is causing our climate to
change. The effects of the resulting increase in temperature on human activity and ecosystems
worldwide will be devastating.
But our renewable energy sources are not yet sufficient to replace the use of fossil fuels
entirely. So the best course at this time might be to balance the consequences of giving up a
reliable source of cheap energy against the impact of environmental damage. The use of fossil
fuels might continue but in a more efficient manner—by mandating low-emission standards and
energy efficient technology, for example.
CRITICAL THINKING
What are the advantages of fossil fuels? What are the disadvantages? Discuss. The
advantages of fossil fuels begin with their use to produce energy. Fossil fuels are easily
combustible—a small amount of fuel can produce a lot of energy. Fossil fuels are portable—they
can be easily stored and transported. Fossil fuels are available in sufficient quantities to meet
our current energy needs. They can be found and mined at sites all over the planet. Compared
to renewable sources of energy, the process to extract fossil fuels and use them to produce
power is not expensive or complex. The fossil fuel industry employs hundreds of thousands, if
not millions, of individuals.
2 UNIT NINE: GOVERNMENT REGULATION