What are Fossil Fuels?
Fossil fuel is a type of fuel which is formed through natural means and is actually made from dead organisms through the process of decomposition. As the name would suggest, the dead organisms are typically fossils, indicating they are ancient, anywhere from one to 650 million years old. Fossil fuels have long been popular across the world for different reasons and for various purposes.
What are Fossil Fuels Used For?
Because of their high percentage and amount of petroleum, and coal, as well as natural gas, fossil fuels are used for tasks which require heat, such as gas for cars or propane for barbeques. Other fossil fuels or derivatives of fossil fuels, include methane, petroleum, anthracite coal and come in both gas and liquid form, depending on how they are refined or produced.
Who Discovered Fossil Fuels?
Andreas Libavius conceptualized the idea of combining the remains of plants with heat and pressure. Fossil fuels started as a theory back in 1597, and then through to 1763, the idea was explored further and better researched and understood. 1759 was the first time when fossil fuels were used and recorded by a German chemist.
Fossil Fuels’ Evolution
Over time, fossil fuels became more and more popular, used and ultimately accessible by those all over the world. By 2017, fossil fuels made up the majority of energy supplies, and sources including petroleum and natural gas, which combined, made up 85% of the fossil fuels in the primary energy consumption. This usage was significantly higher than other energy sources.
Because of the fact that fossil fuels take millions of years and are resource-intensive to make and create, they are actually not considered renewable resources.
Environmental Concerns
Creating, using and consuming fossil fuels is controversial, and it tends to be less than environmentally friendly. The issue is not the production, as much as it is the gases and emissions which are created and emitted when these fuels are burned, which occurs as we drive, produce different products and from many day to day processes and activities. The amount of fossil fuels consumed has continued to increase steadily, and the environment has been unable to keep up with and absorb the amount of carbon dioxide that we are producing annually.
Alternatives
As technology, research and innovation continue to evolve, there have been alternatives to fossil fuels developed and explored, to prevent air pollution.