Fossil fuels are formed from dead remains of plants and animals by the process of anaerobic decomposition. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are the basic fossil fuels known to mankind. These fossil fuels have a high percentage of carbon. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and their supply is limited. They should be used judiciously because they are exhaustible and cannot be replenished. As such, people stress on the use of renewable energy sources which are inexhaustible. In the words of John McHugh, “As long as we’re dependent on those fossil fuels, we’re dependent on the Middle East. If we are not victims, we’re certainly captives.”
The burning of fossil fuels produces 21.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that causes global warming, which increases the average surface temperature of the earth. Climate scientists agree that global warming will cause adverse effects.
