Journal Name: Carbon Energy
Journal Type: Q1
ISSN: 26379368
Country: United States
Subject Area and Category: Energy Energy (miscellaneous) Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment Materials Science Materials Chemistry Materials Science (miscellaneous)
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc
Research Ranking: 220
Publication Type: Journals
H-Index: 73
Coverage: 2019-2025
Editors-in-Chief: Shun Wang
Research Impact Score: 10
Impact Factor: 19.5
SCIMAGO SJR: 5.701
APC Cost: $3000 USD
Submission Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/26379368
Contact Email: carbonenergy@wzu.edu.cn
Address: South Korea, located in Daejeon
Overview
Carbon energy refers to energy produced from carbon-based fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These fuels have powered human civilization for over a century, providing the backbone for industrial development, electricity generation, and transportation systems across the globe. However, as concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability grow, carbon energy is increasingly scrutinized for its environmental impact.
What Is Carbon Energy?
Carbon energy is derived from the combustion of fossil fuels—organic materials formed over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals. When burned, these fuels release significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. While carbon energy remains a dominant source of global power, it is also one of the primary contributors to global warming.
The Role of Fossil Fuels in Energy Production
Fossil fuels have historically offered high energy density, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Coal-fired power plants, petroleum refineries, and natural gas facilities have enabled the mass production of electricity and supported the expansion of global economies. In fact, as of 2024, fossil fuels still account for over 60% of global electricity production.
Natural gas is often seen as a cleaner alternative within the carbon energy family due to its lower CO₂ emissions compared to coal or oil. However, it still contributes significantly to the carbon footprint of the energy sector.
Environmental and Climate Impact
The environmental cost of carbon energy is substantial. Burning fossil fuels emits not only CO₂ but also other pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and particulate matter, which contribute to air pollution and respiratory health issues. Additionally, oil spills, coal mining, and gas extraction disrupt ecosystems and degrade natural landscapes.
Perhaps most critically, the carbon emissions from fossil fuel use are accelerating climate change, leading to rising global temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and sea level rise. This makes the transition to cleaner energy sources not just a preference, but a necessity.
The Shift Toward Renewable Alternatives
In response to the challenges posed by carbon energy, there is a growing global push toward renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. Governments, businesses, and individuals are investing in green technologies and sustainable practices to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
Despite this shift, the transition to a low-carbon future is complex. Many regions, especially developing economies, still rely heavily on fossil fuels due to infrastructure, cost, and accessibility. Therefore, policies promoting energy efficiency, innovation, and sustainable development are crucial to accelerate this transformation.
About
Carbon energy is a term commonly used to describe energy produced from carbon-rich fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These non-renewable energy sources have powered industrial growth, modern infrastructure, and transportation systems for over a century. However, with growing awareness of climate change and environmental damage, carbon energy is now under increased scrutiny.
Understanding Carbon Energy
Carbon energy originates from fossil fuels—natural substances formed over millions of years from decayed organic matter. When burned, these fuels release energy in the form of heat, which is then used to generate electricity, power vehicles, and fuel industrial processes. The key characteristic of carbon energy is its reliance on carbon-based compounds that emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases when combusted.
Types of Carbon-Based Fossil Fuels
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Coal – One of the oldest and most abundant fossil fuels, coal is widely used for electricity generation but is also one of the dirtiest in terms of carbon emissions.
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Oil (Petroleum) – Used primarily in transportation and manufacturing, oil is a major global energy source, though it poses serious environmental risks, including oil spills and high CO₂ output.
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Natural Gas – Often considered a cleaner fossil fuel, natural gas emits less carbon dioxide than coal or oil, but it still contributes to global warming and is primarily composed of methane, another potent greenhouse gas.
The Environmental Impact of Carbon Energy
The biggest concern with carbon energy is its contribution to climate change. The combustion of fossil fuels is the leading source of carbon emissions worldwide. These emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, resulting in global warming, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events.
Beyond carbon emissions, carbon energy also causes:
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Air pollution: Leading to respiratory illnesses and smog.
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Water contamination: Especially from oil spills and coal mining runoff.
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Land degradation: Due to mining, drilling, and infrastructure development.
Global Dependence on Carbon Energy
Despite the environmental drawbacks, carbon energy still accounts for more than 60% of global energy consumption. It is deeply integrated into the world’s economic systems, particularly in developing countries where alternatives are less accessible or affordable.
The Shift Toward Cleaner Alternatives
As concerns about climate change grow, many countries are investing in renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. These sustainable energy options offer a path to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while also minimizing environmental impact.
Transitioning away from carbon energy involves major infrastructure changes, policy shifts, and financial investments. Energy efficiency, carbon capture technologies, and cleaner fuel alternatives are also part of the strategy to create a low-carbon future.
Scope
Carbon energy, primarily sourced from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, remains a cornerstone of global energy systems. Despite increasing investments in renewable energy, the scope of carbon energy continues to be broad and significant in powering industries, transportation, and households. This article explores the current scope of carbon energy, its benefits, challenges, and how it fits into the evolving global energy landscape.
The Dominance of Carbon Energy in Today’s World
The scope of carbon energy is vast due to its deep-rooted integration in global infrastructure and economies. Fossil fuels supply over 60% of the world’s electricity and a large majority of transportation fuels. Industries such as manufacturing, aviation, and logistics still depend heavily on carbon-based energy because of its reliability, energy density, and global availability.
Applications Across Key Sectors
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Electricity Generation: Coal and natural gas power plants contribute a significant share of global electricity. Developing countries, in particular, rely on these fuels to support growing energy demands.
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Transportation: Oil-derived fuels like diesel and gasoline continue to dominate the automotive, maritime, and aviation sectors.
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Industrial Use: Carbon energy powers large-scale industrial processes, from steel production to chemical manufacturing.
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Heating: Natural gas is widely used for residential and commercial heating, especially in colder regions.
These widespread applications show that the scope of carbon energy extends into nearly every aspect of modern life.
Economic Importance
Carbon energy plays a critical role in the global economy. Fossil fuel industries provide millions of jobs worldwide and contribute significantly to the GDP of many countries. Nations rich in oil, coal, or natural gas often rely on exports for revenue, making carbon energy a vital economic asset.
Environmental and Climatic Challenges
While the scope of carbon energy is large, it comes with major environmental drawbacks. The burning of fossil fuels is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming and climate change. Other issues include:
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Air pollution causing health problems in urban areas.
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Water and soil contamination due to extraction and spills.
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Habitat destruction and ecological disruption from mining and drilling operations.
These challenges have led to global calls for reducing carbon emissions and shifting toward cleaner energy alternatives.
Transition and Future Outlook
The future scope of carbon energy is likely to change as the world transitions toward low-carbon solutions. Governments and companies are investing in renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) to mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
However, carbon energy is expected to remain part of the global mix for decades, especially in regions where renewables are not yet fully viable. The focus is shifting toward using carbon energy more responsibly while scaling up sustainable alternatives.