The Lowdown on Fossil Fuels

How They Are Created

The main types used are gas, coal and oil. They are referred to as fossil fuels because they are formed from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals. Gas and oil are formed from organisms that settled on the sea floor millions of years ago. The organisms were eventually covered deep in piles of mud and sediment, exposing them to high levels of heat and pressure. Over millions of years this causes the organisms to chemically alter and, when sourced, they become oil and gas. Coal goes through a similar process, but it is formed by prehistoric vegetation on land (typically in swampy environments).

How They Are Used
They produce tremendous amounts of energy when they are burned. Although mining oil and coal can be difficult and dangerous, they are very efficient and effective as power stations fuelled by gas and coal can provide a huge amount of energy from just one location. The likes of oil and gas are also very easy to transport to power stations and to houses.

Why We Need to Use Less
The main criticism of fossil fuel is that it accounts for the majority of pollution across the world. When fossil fuels are burned, carbon dioxide and other air pollutants are released. Global Warming, or the "Greenhouse Effect", and acid rain are attributed primarily to our reliance on these types of fuels. Also, mining the fuels has caused great environmental damage such as oil spills and coal extraction affecting the landscape.

Alternative Energy
Interestingly, the impetus for researching alternative energies has been spurred on by both the diminishing supplies as well as the environmental impact they are having on society. We cannot simply wait for more fossil fuel to be formed; it is a process that takes millions of years. Even though most energy suppliers are completely reliant on fossil fuels (coal has been used for energy for thousands of years), the supplies will eventually run out and prices will skyrocket because of increasing demand. Many alternative energy sources have emerged in recent years and proved to be efficient and practical. Solar, wind and water power are becoming more popular and affordable. They are also scalable; businesses and homes alike can utilise solar and wind power to great effect.

Other Changes
Small changes make a big difference. More practical use of cars, such as using public transport and buying low emission vehicles, can reduce the global need for oil. Even using less energy in the home can help. The public conscience is slowly coming round, but big changes need to made before the damaging effects of global warming cannot be stopped.