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Strictly defined, fossil fuel is oil, coal and natural gas that originates from decayed plants and animals. Because they take millions of years to form and are being used at such a rapid rate, fossil fuels are essentially a non-renewable source of energy. Even so, in 2005, more than three-quartersof the world’s energy consumption was through the use of fossil fuels. This usage produces around 21.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Carbon dioxide, of course, is one the notorious greenhouse gases we hear so much about—the stuff directly responsible for climate change.
There are many potential alternatives to the use of fossil fuel (some of them can be rather fruity). These include biodiesel, ethanol, and vegetable oil. Most scientists believe it’s time for humans to address their addiction to fuel derived from decayed plants and animals and help fossil fuels go the way of the dinosaur.
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