Hobbies And Interests
Advantage--Efficiency
Petroleum oil is easily combustible and a substance that can be used in a variety of processes to create energy. Power stations that use oil are more efficient than other power sources currently in existence.
Disadvantage---Environmentally Unfriendly
Combustion of oil releases carbon dioxide into the air, causing the formation of the greenhouse gases that are suspected of being a cause of global warming. Burning oil also causes local air pollution, sometimes resulting in harmful environmental conditions such as acid rain.
Disadvantage---Dependency
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the top five exporters of petroleum oil in 2009 were Canada, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Most countries import oil in order to meet their needs, making them dependent on exporters who can limit petroleum sales as well as raise oil prices.
Disadvantage--Demand and Supply
Oil has been an important commodity during the industrialization of the world and continues to provide vital energy for modern society. There are concerns about the diminishing supply of oil because it is non-renewable and is difficult to recycle. The total amount of oil reserves is unknown but the world's supply will eventually fail if alternative sources of energy are not utilized.
Cost and Distribution
Oil is relatively inexpensive and is easily distributed via rail, trucks, pipelines and sea tankers. These distribution methods do have drawbacks, however. Oil spills from tanker ships have caused extensive damage to ocean ecosystems.