Te 8 ruscha indd

e .g . 
coal
e .g . 
wood
wood, coal, w ater power, wind power, 
natural gas, nuclear power, oil, wave po ­
wer, solar power, w aste-to-energy (WtE)
5 a W o rk in p a irs. Read th e te x ts a b o u t a d va n ta g e s and d isa d va n ta g e s 
o f fo s s il fu e ls . Pupil A ch o o se s te x ts a b o u t ad va n ta g e s and Pupil B 
a b o u t d isa d va n ta g e s o f fo s s il fu e ls .
1) Fossil fuels are one of the most impor­
tant sources of energy in today’s world.
Scientists believe that they come from dead 
plants and animals. The formation of most 
fossil fuels started 370 million years ago.
2) Fossil fuels pollute water in the process 
of coal mining or drilling of oil or natural 
gas. These actions seriously pollute the un­
derground water, lakes and seas. Polluted 
water is poisonous for water plants and fish 
and also for people who eat the fish.
3) Fossil fuels are used in the production 
of some medicines and other things we 
generally use in our daily lives like plastic, 
shoes, clothes, dishwashers and electronic 
things, such as computers and refrigerators.
4) Fossil fuels give almost 80% of the 
w orld’s energy needs. Coal is mainly used 
for getting electricity. From small cars to
ships and airplanes, fossil fuels are used 
to give power to the engine in all the major 
means of transportation.
5) Fossil fuel burning brings the most dan­
gerous effect to the environment. It is global 
warming. The burning produces greenhouse 
gases, which keep heat and do not allow it to 
go back into space at night. Because of glo­
bal warming, the sea level is rising because 
ice melts at the poles. This changes the 
balance of the natural processes.
6) Fossil fuels are easy to get and their 
cost is lower as compared to other sources.
7) Fossil fuels produce air pollution when 
they are burnt. Burning causes smog, which 
is harmful for the environment and public 
health.
8) Fossil fuels are not-renewable. It means 
that one day they will run out.
5 b D iscu ss w h ich is b e tte r : to use o r n o t to use fo s s il fu e ls .