Fossil fuels, while they are very helpful, cause a lot of issues in today's environment.

Disadvantages

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 76% of the U.S greenhouse gas emissions in 2016 were caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are one of the main causes of carbon dioxide which ends up trapping heat in the atmosphere leading to climate change.

Land Degradation

In the arctic, along with the rest of the world, animals are struggling to survive. Fossil fuels have leached off of nutrient rich land and caused this land to never be able to return to its original state. This results in animals, especially in the arctic to either relocate, and compete with other species for food and shelter, or suffer and try to adapt to the destruction of their homes. These lands crucial for breeding and migration are being compromised by the fragmentation of fossil fuels.

-If this problem isn't dealt with immediately, we may never be able to reverse the damage caused-

Along with land degradation, water pollution and emissions have been a result of the burning of fossil fuels. The industrial revolution has caused our oceans to become 30% more acidic. The decline in pH can threaten a variety of species and organisms causing endangerment and extinction. Also, this change in ocean acidification will affect the ocean's ability to store pollutants, including future carbon emissions.