US Green Living .com
Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons that are extracted from the uppermost layer of the crust of the Earth. Fossil fuel gets its name from its source, which is believed to be the fossilized remnants of plants and animals that died millions of years ago. These fuels are created after long process of continual exposure to elements such as heat and pressure from the Earth. Fossil fuels have been the primary energy source on the planet ever since the
Industrial Revolution due to their ability to produce a large amount of energy. They are the primary source for generating electricity and powering motor vehicles. Various shortcomings of fossil fuels as an energy source, including their inability to be renewed and their harmful effects on the environment, have led to a search for comparable, alternative fuels.
There are several different types of fossil fuels. The most common forms are petroleum, natural gas, and acoal. These different types serve different purposes. Petroleum is the main component of gasoline which is used in personal automobiles, public transportation, and airplanes, natural gas is an important source for heating homes, and the burning of coal is vital in generating electricity. Both petroleum and natural gas are made up of highly volatile materials with low hydrogen to carbon proportions, while coal is considered nonvolatile because it is made up of almost pure carbon.
One problem with fossil fuels is their sustainability. They are considered non-renewable resources because of the great amount of time needed for fossil fuels to materialize and because they are being consumed at a much higher rater than they are being formed. It is generally believed that volatile fossil fuel (petroleum and natural gas) reserves will be completely depleted in less than a hundred years based on the current rate of world consumption. Another problem is their availability. Certain fossil fuels, such as petroleum, are found in much higher quantities in certain regions of the world than in others, which can lead to both economic and diplomatic conflicts. These conflicts can lead to a series of energy crises that affect the entire world market and are sometimes partly responsible for both civil and international war.
Fossil fuels can have quite a negative impact on the environment as well. The combustion of fossil fuels creates a variety of harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides that affect air quality and are also known to cause acid rain. Greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for global warming, are caused almost entirely by the consumption of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels also contain radioactive materials which can be hazardous to humans in large quantities.
Given the many problems associated with fossil fuel consumption, steps have been taken to discover and develop alternative sources of energy. These include using biodiesel, usually made from corn, soy, or sugar cane, instead of petroleum to power motor vehicles because they can be extracted domestically in agricultural regions and are less harmful to the environment. Also, nuclear power plants (which come with their own set of problems) are an alternative to electric plants that run on coal. Use of fossil fuels still remains high though and will remain so until they can be successfully replaced by alternative fuels or until fossil fuel reserves simply run out.
