Fossil Fuel in the World - Case Study Example

Literature Review With estimates that the overall demand of fossil fuels will increase in the next 30 years, it is expected that global energy requirements will increase. Since fossil fuel is the tested and long used resource for energy generation purposes, it will play an important role in fulfilling the overall energy requirements of the world. (Zappa, 2010) Fossil Fuel is normally formed due to natural process and is the result of decomposition of buried organisms. Fossil fuel is naturally created when such decomposition takes place for over millions of years. This time period is considered as natural as it takes millions of years to decompose and convert effectively into the fossil fuels which can be used for industrial and other purposes. It is critical to note that fossil fuel due to their abundance, low cost, durability as well as quality has remained the most preferred energy source of the world. Over the period of time, large and heavy capital intensive investments were made to set up the infrastructure to extract, clean and refine the fossil fuels for the consumption purposes. However, the overall pace of industrial development, potential pollution and health related issues as well as sustainability of earth’s resources has made it relatively important for the developed world to look for alternative sources of fuel. (Richards, 2009) The use of fossil fuels not only results into health related issues but also put strain on the existing energy resources of the world due to heavy dependence on fossil fuel as the preferred source of energy. European Union, in its future plans put an emphasis on the member States to actually look for alternative ways of sourcing the energy. The plan includes a comprehensive detail about the steps and process to be adapted by the Member States to actually invest and develop the infrastructure for the development of alternative energy resources in order to reduce the dependence on the fossil fuels. These efforts indicate that the governments, at global level, are aware of the importance of the alternative fuel sources. It is also critical to note that some disruptive changes are taking place in the energy industry which is re-shaping the way overall policy framework for the use of fossil fuels may shape in future. There has been a renewed emphasis by International Monetary Fund also to end the subsidies related with the fossil fuel consumption as well as utilization as a energy resource. This has been done in order to ensure that the reliance on the fossil fuels is decreased while at the same time discouraging excessive use of fossil fuel. (Morris, 2006) There are also issues related with the sustainability and use of fossil fuels as an energy resource. Evidence clearly outlines the role of fossil fuels in endangering the sustainability of earth and its resources. It has been suggested that in order to sustain other natural resources, it is important to make a transition towards using other alternative resources. Alternative sources of energy can include bio-diesel, plant fuel, natural gas and other sources. (Ollhoff, 2010) Theoretical Framework Theoretical framework outlines as to how the researcher is going to understand and explore the behavior of various dependent and independent variables. It offers a particular point of view and a lens through which a researcher actually observes and examines the topic at hand. It is also because of this reason that the theoretical frameworks came from different disciplines and a researcher makes efforts to ensure that research topic is adequately addressed. Borrowing from the post-modernism, this research paper will therefore attempt to examine the impact of how the actions of future and current generations in terms of using fossil fuel will result into an increase in global warming and other natural catastrophes including volcanoes, earthquakes as well as floods. Post modernism as a theoretical framework requires reliance on deconstruction wherein the existing hierarchical values as well as the frame of references. Further, the postmodernism’s emphasis on mass industrialization and customization has also necessitated viewing the topic from the perspective of how the use of fossil fuels is going to affect the urban areas of the future. Since, the extended use of this energy resource may result into earthquakes, volcanos and other natural calamities therefore how the overall future of the urban and rural areas will emerge largely depends upon how its impact is being viewed. Since major industrial activity and use of fossil fuels takes place in urban areas therefore post-modernism may offer a valid theoretical framework to assess and explore the topic from this view point. Quantitative Research Methods Quantitative methods are a systematic analysis of a social phenomenon by using statistical methods. The overall purpose of using the quantitative research methods is to actually develop the relevant hypothesis and statistical methods pertaining to the research study. The article “Effects of Global Warming on Ancient Mammalian Communities and their Environments” by Larisa R. G. DeSantis used the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes normally stored and preserved in the fossil teeth to measure the dietary shifts and ancient floral changes during the period. This quantitative study attempted to measure the impact of these shifts on the mammals. This study focused on the selected sites in Florida and has focused upon a narrow sample size of 115 specimens were obtained. (DeSantis, Feranec, & MacFadden, 2009) Article “Anthropogenic CO2 emissions from fossil fuels: Trends and drivers in the Mediterranean region” by Abdeltif El Ouahrani, Joaquin Molero Mesa, Abderrahmane Merzouki, took data from US Energy Information Administration and Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center. The data taken for the purpose of study comprises of data from the Northern Rim and Sout-Eastern Rim countries. This research study focused upon exploring the drivers of CO2 emission from 21 Mediterranean countries. (Ouahrani, Mesa, & Merzouki, 2011) This article focused on the impact of carbon emission on the environment and how various countries are contributing towards this emission. This article therefore has taken a relatively large sample size to measure the impact of the same on the environment at the global and regional level. Qualitative Research Methods The article “Mass Motorization in China” discusses about the impact of Chinese development on the use of fossil fuels. This article presents a qualitative review of evidence regarding whether China will be able to make a transition to develop motor engines which could be run on alternative fuels. This paper used sociological approach to measure the impact of the innovation on how China can actually make a transition towards better environment friendly products. (Canzler & Knie, 2009) This article therefore has taken the approach of collecting qualitative evidence from the socio-economic perspective and offers a very direct insight into how China is actually contributing towards the excessive usage of the fossil fuels. This is a qualitative research study however has focused solely on the data sources from China. Though China is a large country however the study may lack the cross sectional attributes and limited sample size. The article “The OPEC summit and the future of oil” discusses qualitatively on the future of the fossil fuels and how alternative fuels may dominate the future. This article provides a comprehensive review of the history of OPEC and how oil crisis are making OPEC to think about the future of fossil fuels and importance of alternative fuels in fulfilling the requirements of future as well as how to save the environment. (Bracho, 2000) The basic difference between the two articles is the way two article have addressed the issue of fossil fuels and the concerns showed by various countries to deal with the future challenges in terms environment protection. Discussion The first quantitative study focused upon assessing how the fossil fuels are actually converted through a complex process of decomposition. This study has taken historical samples and assessed how these changes have actually affected the mammals. This study has focused on the dietary shifts and how these shifts occurred over the period of time due to the long process of decomposition. The study on the CO2 emission in the Mediterranean region assesses the impact of CO2 emission and what are some of the trends which are being observed in the region. This study is quite comprehensive in nature however similar to the previous study with regard to the overall nature of the sample size. The results are relatively different too because one study focused upon the conversion process whereas other study has focused upon the environmental impact. The qualitative study on China has focused specifically on the process of motorization and how it may have an impact on the overall fossil fuel usage in the country. The article has outlined as to how excessive manufacturing and usage of cars in the country is resulting into excessive consumption of fossil fuels which may invariable has an impact on the environment. The last article on OPEC discusses as to how OPEC has dealt with the issue of conventional energy crisis and how it is focusing on the development of alternative fuels. This is a descriptive study and provides a historical outlook of OPEC and how it dealt with the issues of energy crisis. Conclusion This research study will focus upon understanding the impact of fossil fuels on the environment and how if alternative technologies are not developed can seriously result into damage for the environment. The excessive and consistent use of fossil fuel is not only decreasing its supply but is also endangering the environment and can create serious natural calamities. This research study will focus on the assessment of how excessive use of fossil fuel can result into natural disasters and what governments and other institutions are required to do in order to protect the environment and develop alternative fuel technologies. Annotated Bibliography Bracho, F. (2000). The OPEC summit and the future of oil. foresight, 2(6), 545 - 548. This article provides a comprehensive study of the history of OPEC and how it has actually faced various crises. Narrating the efforts of OPEC members to manage the supply of the existing fossil fuel resources, this article has focused upon what efforts are being taken by OPEC. This article has also outlined as to how OPEC is dealing with the issue of alternative fuels. Canzler, W., & Knie, A. (2009). Mass motorization in China. International Journal of Social Economics, 36(9), 892-905. This article focuses upon the impact of mass motorization on china and how it can increase the demand for fossil fuels. This is a qualitative study and indicates as to how various socio-economic issues can invariably affect China and its consumption of fossil fuels. DeSantis, L. R., Feranec, R., & MacFadden, B. (2009, June 3). Effects of Global Warming on Ancient Mammalian Communities and Their Environments. Retrieved April 05, 2013, from PLOS ONE: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0005750 This article is relatively quantitative in nature and focused upon the overall de-generative process and how fossil fuels are generated. Taking sample from a select number of locations, this article focused upon how decomposition results into creation of fossil fuels. This research study also focused upon the impact of changes in dietary habits. Ouahrani, A. E., Mesa, J., & Merzouki, A. (2011). Anthropogenic CO2 emissions from fossil fuels: Trends and drivers in the Mediterranean region. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 3(1), 16 - 28. This article also focused upon understanding the impact of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. By measuring the trends and drivers in a particular region, this paper discussed on anthropogenic CO2 emissions from the fossil fuels. This paper addressed the issue of how fossil fuels affecting environment is causing more CO2 emission in the atmosphere. Zappa, M. (2010). Fossil Fuels. New York: ABDO. This reference is a book and focus on providing a general and more elaborative overview of various energy resources including fossil fuels. More specifically, this book is written in a manner to offer a very simplistic introduction to fossil fuels and its importance in our daily lives. It has also been able to highlight as to how fossil fuels may be dangerous for human health and environment in general. Richards, J. (2009). Fossil Fuels. London: Marshall Cavendish This reference discusses the future dangers which can be faced by using fossil fuels. While comprehensively discussing the perils of relying on just one source of energy, this reference has been able to highlight as to how the dependence on just one source of energy can result into serious issues. This book has also been able to highlight the historical trends of energy use by the human beings. Morris, N. (2006). Fossil Fuels. New York: Black Rabbit Books. This reference specifically deals with the available energy resources of the earth. It also provides a systematic analysis of the future development of alternative energy resources and how they can be used. It also offers a statistical overview of how various energy resources have been used over the period of time. Ollhoff, J. (2010). Fossil Fuels. New York: ABDO. This reference provides a comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the energy resources. It also offers a critical insight into how the coal is mined and extracted from earth. This book also sheds light on the future of fossil fuels and how the overall future for fossil fuels may shape. Bibliography Bracho, F. (2000). The OPEC summit and the future of oil. foresight, 2(6), 545 - 548. Canzler, W., & Knie, A. (2009). Mass motorization in China. International Journal of Social Economics, 36(9), 892-905. DeSantis, L. R., Feranec, R., & MacFadden, B. (2009, June 3). Effects of Global Warming on Ancient Mammalian Communities and Their Environments. Retrieved April 05, 2013, from PLOS ONE: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0005750 Morris, N. (2006). Fossil Fuels. New York: Black Rabbit Books. Ollhoff, J. (2010). Fossil Fuels. New York: ABDO. Ouahrani, A. E., Mesa, J., & Merzouki, A. (2011). Anthropogenic CO2 emissions from fossil fuels: Trends and drivers in the Mediterranean region. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 3(1), 16 - 28. Richards, J. (2009). Fossil Fuels. London: Marshall Cavendish. Zappa, M. (2010). Fossil Fuels. New York: ABDO. Read More