Fossil fuel Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural resources such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms.

The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years.[1] The fossil fuels, which contain high percentages of carbon, include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Fossil fuels range from volatile materials with low carbon:hydrogen ratios like methane, to liquid petroleum to nonvolatile materials composed of almost pure carbon, like anthracite coal. Methane can be found in hydrocarbon fields, alone, associated with oil, or in the form of methane clathrates. It is generally accepted that they formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals[2] by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earth's crust over millions of years.[3] This biogenic theory was first introduced by Georg Agricola in 1556 and later by Mikhail Lomonosov in the 18th century. It was estimated by the Energy Information Administration that in 2007 primary sources of energy consisted of petroleum 36.0%, coal 27.4%, natural gas 23.0%, amounting to an 86.4% share for fossil fuels in primary energy consumption in the world.[4] Non-fossil sources in 2006 included hydroelectric 6.3%, nuclear 8.5%, and others (geothermal, solar, tide, wind, wood, waste) amounting to 0.9 percent.[5] World energy consumption was growing about 2.3% per year. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form, and reserves are being depleted much faster than new ones are being made. The production and use of fossil fuels raise environmental concerns. A global movement toward the generation of renewable energy is therefore under way to help meet increased energy needs. Formation Fossil fuels are formed by the anaerobic decomposition of remains of organisms including phytoplankton and zooplankton that settled to the sea (or lake) bottom in large quantities under anoxic conditions, millions of years ago. Over geological time, this organic matter, mixed with mud, got buried under heavy layers of sediment. The resulting high levels of heat and pressure caused the organic matter to chemically alter, first into a

waxy material known as kerogen which is found in oil shales, and then with more heat into liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in a process known as catagenesis. There is a wide range of organic, or hydrocarbon, compounds in any given fuel mixture. The specific mixture of hydrocarbons gives a fuel its characteristic properties, such as boiling point, melting point, density, viscosity, etc. Some fuels like natural gas, for instance, contain only very low boiling, gaseous components. Others such as gasoline or diesel contain much higher boiling components. Terrestrial plants, on the other hand, tend to form coal and methane. Many of the coal fields date to the Carboniferous period of Earth's history. Terrestrial plants also form type III kerogen, a source of natural gas. Uses Fossil fuels are of great importance because they can be burned (oxidized to carbon dioxide and water), producing significant amounts of energy per unit weight. The use of coal as a fuel predates recorded history. Coal was used to run furnaces for the melting of metal ore. Semi-solid hydrocarbons from seeps were also burned in ancient times,[7] but these materials were mostly used for waterproofing and embalming.[8] Commercial exploitation of petroleum, largely as a replacement for oils from animal sources (notably whale oil), for use in oil lamps began in the nineteenth century.[9] Natural gas, once flared-off as an unneeded byproduct of petroleum production, is now considered a very valuable resource.[10] Heavy crude oil, which is much more viscous than conventional crude oil, and tar sands, where bitumen is found mixed with sand and clay, are becoming more important as sources of fossil fuel.[11] Oil shale and similar materials are sedimentary rocks containing kerogen, a complex mixture of high-molecular weight organic compounds, which yield synthetic crude oil when heated (pyrolyzed). These materials have yet to be exploited commercially.[12] These fuels can be employed in internal combustion engines, fossil fuel power stations and other uses. Prior to the latter half of the eighteenth century, windmills and watermills provided the energy needed for industry such as milling flour, sawing wood or pumping water, and burning wood or peat provided domestic heat. The widescale use of fossil fuels, coal at

first and petroleum later, to fire steam engines enabled the Industrial Revolution. At the same time, gas lights using natural gas or coal gas were coming into wide use. The invention of the internal combustion engine and its use in automobiles and trucks greatly increased the demand for gasoline and diesel oil, both made from fossil fuels. Other forms of transportation, railways and aircraft, also required fossil fuels. The other major use for fossil fuels is in generating electricity and as feedstock for the petrochemical industry. Tar, a leftover of petroleum extraction, is used in construction of roads. Conservation of Fossil Fuels Until we find alternative energy sources that are kinder to the environment, there are plenty of small changes we can make in our lifestyle, at the office and at home that burn less fuel. Beyond having fewer children and buying less, we can decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in subtle ways, too, with changes to indoor lighting, appliances, diet and the way we travel. The Why and How of Conserving Fossil Fuels Oil, coal and natural gas are fossil fuels converted into energy on a constant and daily basis. The Union of Concerned Scientists and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warn that our energy demands are greater than what nonrenewable fossil fuels can supply. Eventually, we'll run out; that is why a global effort, by legislators and citizens alike, exists to curb usage and reduce our carbon footprint. Public Transport and Hybrid Vehicles It's no surprise that transportation is a major energy consumer, and the environment would be helped if we simply biked, walked or took public transport everywhere we went. Transportation authorities report that if just one in every 10 Americans commuted on public transport, our reliance on foreign oil would decrease by 40 percent. Until the majority of commuters see the benefits of rail, hybrid vehicles are worth another look. The current hybrid drives and refuels like a standard car, with no need to recharge the battery. Hybrids can offer a savings of up to $11,000 a year in gasoline. No matter what you drive, checking tire pressure and keeping inflation levels adequate burns less gas, and the less gas you use, the more money you'll have in your pocket.

Bright Ideas at Home and in the Workplace Imagine getting the same amount of light but keeping more than 1,000 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere. By simply replacing every 75-watt incandescent bulb with a less expensive 20-watt compact fluorescent, you're doing the Earth a favor and saving money. Millions of homes and businesses can make this simple change. Go Green in Your Kitchen and Laundry Room If you want to reduce your washing machine's energy use by 75, the change couldn't be simpler: wash everything in cold water and hang it on the line to dry. In doing this, your clothes last longer and you save more than 2,000 lbs. of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Adjust the switch on your refrigerator; it won't be as cold, but neither you nor your food will notice, and you could save as much as 25 percent on your energy bill. Visit EnergyStar.gov for Earth-friendly appliance tips. Condition Yourself to Save Energy If you set your thermostat three degrees warmer in summer, you can save an average of 470 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year. Seal leaks in your home. Energy Star and non-profit environmental advocacy groups such as the Environment Action Coalition say home insulation is important; it can be made of organic materials and make your home a toxinfree place. Go Veggie The U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization reports that 18 percent of greenhouse gases come from worldwide livestock production. The digestive processes of cows and sheep emit environmentally harmful methane and nitrous oxide and deplete our water and food supply. Raising cattle for slaughter requires a lot of energy and burns a lot of fuel. Statistics published by the Vegetarian Society show nutritional and environmental merits of removing red meat from your diet.