Oil and the environment

 

 

Oil gives us energy and many other things but it also causes pollution. Oil pollution makes the environment dirty. It can harm and kill wildlife and people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spilt oil can harm wildlife.

If oil is spilt, it can cause serious damage to the environment and kill many birds and animals. Oil spills from oil tankers at sea are especially harmful as the oil forms a thick, black layer called a ‘slick’. The slick clogs birds’ feathers and the fur of marine mammals, such as otters. Animals can also swallow oil as they try to clean themselves. In the past, large oil spills have destroyed entire coastlines.

 

 

 

Burning fuel made from oil causes smog.

Vehicles usually burn diesel or petrol. Their exhaust pipes release fumes and gases such as sulphur dioxide. Diesel also gives out tiny specks or particles like soot. In calm sunny weather, these substances collect over cities and form smog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burning oil is making the Earth grow warmer.

When we burn oil, large amounts of carbon dioxide gas are released into the air. Normally, carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants, but human actions are releasing too much carbon dioxide. This forms a blanket that traps the Sun’s heat in the air around the Earth. This is causing temperatures on Earth to rise – a process known as global warming.