What is Fossil Fuel?

What is Fossil Fuel?

Decomposing plants and other organisms, buried beneath layers of sediment and rock, have taken millennia to become the carbon-rich deposits we now call fossil fuels. A long time ago, our beautiful Earth was covered with swamps filled with microorganisms, trees, and other large leafy plants. And as these organisms and plants died, they drowned to the base of the swamps and oceans and formed layers of a spongy material called Peat. Over millions of years, the peat was covered by sand, clay, and other minerals, which converted the peat into sedimentary rocks. Then over the next few years, different types of fossil fuels formed, depending on the combination of organic matter present, how long it was buried, and what temperature and pressure conditions existed when they decomposing.

And what are these types of fuels? There are three types of fossil fuels, namely Coal, Mineral Oil, and Natural Gas that supplies about 80 percent of the world’s energy. These non-renewable fuels can be obtained through mining and extraction inside the land or huge ocean. It is said that our whole human race is prominently dependent on these fuels to carry out the tasks for their existence, and without them, it would be difficult for us to co-ordinate our survival efficiently.

That’s because fossil fuels are utilized in nearly 96% of items that we use today. Right from the electricity to heat and to transportation while also supporting the processes that make a vast range of products, from steel to plastics. And it also played a considerable role in the industrial revolution by providing the necessary fuel needed to run the machinery. And as our dependency on these fuels kept on increasing, humans began to use them recklessly, without considering that these fuels are a non-renewable source of energy which doesn’t develop in a day or two but, takes millions of years to form.
But the fossil fuels we use today started creating from the Carboniferous period, which is even before the existence of dinosaurs! Therefore, if we use this energy carelessly today, we are going to land into a devastating problem as the new fuel will take another millions of years to form again.

And apart from this futuristic problem, there lies a bigger threat in the present as well. If we continue to use and burn these fuels at this rate, they also have the potential to harm the environment as they are made up of harmful chemical bonds that could be dangerous for us. The coal we use today is made up of carbon and when mixed with oxygen it leads to an increase in carbon dioxide in the environment. This eventually contributes to greenhouse effects, which then contributes to climate change and cause global warming. Also, many times, the oil spill into the sea during the transportation, resulting in the polluting it and establishing a threat to all aquatic animals and the quality of water.

Not only that, but the natural gases are highly flammable that can prove hazardous if not used wisely. What do we need to do to control the damage caused by the overusing of fossil fuels. We can start by using less amount of electricity or using it only when required the lesser the consumption, the lesser the pressure on the coming generation. Next, we can install solar panels, which can replace or minimize the use of natural gas. Also, it is essential to turn off your vehicle while standing on the signal. And lastly, if possible, try to switch to electronic vehicles that are environmental-friendly. By following these small steps, we can make a huge difference and to protect the environment and the coming generation.

Did you know, it takes almost 26 tons of raw petroleum to produce 1 litre of gas and 800 pounds of coal to power a light bulb 24/7 for an entire year? Also, the natural process of decomposition of materials would take 422 years to replace what we currently consume in a year in fossil fuels.

If you love the nature and want to do something for it, don’t forget to share this post to spread awareness about the conservation of fossil fuels!