We have all heard about the effect fossil fuels have on the world, yet in society we don't always think about how much fossil fuels cost us. The author of this article goes into detail to provide a clearer picture of the impact fossil fuels are having not specifically monetary, but the cost of fossil fuels on the environment. There are several ways to extract fossil fuels and each of them has its negative effects. Over the years we have seen an increase in surface mining rather than underground mining. The cost of underground mining is that it endangers many lives. Miners are injured and many have been diagnosed with health problems, such as black lung disease. Underground mining also impacts the environment. Mines sometimes collapse, catch fire and are not managed properly. All these actions lead to a disturbance of the environment. Surface mining leads to the destruction of many habitats. Large areas of the earth are cleared away to allow miners to access underground coal. Fossil fuels also contribute to global alarm through the emission of greenhouse gases. Natural gases are largely composed of methane, which is a dangerous greenhouse gas. The extraction of both oil and natural gas releases methane into our atmosphere. Oil and natural gas extraction also destroys the habitats of many wildlife populations and can also end up in many water sources. In addition to extracting fossil fuels, their transportation also poses a threat to the environment. Coal is often transported on rail cars across the country. Transporting coal produces coal dust, which is harmful to the body when inhaled. Natural gases are transported to homes and businesses through pipelines. Pipes present the risk of leaks. In October of... middle of the document... at the beginning of chapter four we covered the definition of fossil fuels and the different types. Digging deeper into the different types of fossil fuels, we discussed how coal is mined and how oil and natural gases are mined. The article also mentions hydraulic fracturing, which we learned is a common method for extracting oil and gas. The article talks about how habitats and the environment are being destroyed due to surface mining, and in class we were shown a video of how mountain tops are being blown away to get to underground coal. Reflection I think the site is very credible. Furthermore, the author includes many facts to support the thesis regarding the impact fossil fuels are having on the environment. Furthermore, the author used many resources to gather information for the article. Fifty-seven references were cited for this article.