| Can you imagine what life would be like without the | | | | So ask yourself, could we live without these precious |
| use of fossil fuels? Let me start by explaining a little | | | | fuels? What would our world be like if these resources |
| about what fossil fuels are. | | | | had depleted and became non-existent? Each and |
| In general, Fossil fuels are layers of plants and animals | | | | everyone one of us uses fossil fuels, and the demand |
| which have died millions of years ago, compressed | | | | and production grows larger everyday. What if rising |
| and buried deep into the earth, through time to form | | | | prices of these precious commodities becomes |
| sedimentary rock, such as coal, and liquid | | | | unaffordable to the average working class? Everyone |
| hydrocarbons such as oil or gas. | | | | in this world knows that prices for oil and gas are |
| Coal is one of the first fossil fuels known to man, as | | | | already increasing at an alarming rate, with no end in |
| has been used for a heating source, dating back to | | | | sight. Until some one discovers an alternative fuel |
| early 1600's. Since its discovery, we have found many | | | | sources, well fact is fact, we will always be dependent |
| other uses, such as powering steam driven | | | | on fossil fuels. |
| locomotives, and today is used in factories to help | | | | On a positive note, perhaps the rising prices in todays |
| produce steel, concrete, paper, plastics, and most | | | | world is a sign that something new is around the |
| importantly "Electricity". | | | | corner. Governments and oil companies may be mass |
| Oil was said to be discovered by the Native | | | | producing while the demand is still there. Maybe they |
| Americans. This oil was found seeping to the earth"s | | | | know something we don't. Transportation counts for |
| surface, and was used for medicinal purposes. The | | | | 70% of all the oil we use and now the transportation |
| first successful oilwell was drilled in Pennsylvania in | | | | industry is starting to evolve into a new era with the |
| 1859. This oil which was extracted, would find many | | | | production of the hybrid vehicles. This is a very positive |
| uses, such as lamp oil. lubricants, and would later be | | | | sign, and could be the stepping stone for many, to |
| used to power automobiles, trains, plane's, and is still | | | | increase awareness of how the extensive use of |
| used for these and many other things, to this present | | | | fossil fuels, is impacting our environment today. |
| day. | | | | To conclude, "Fossil Fuels", are a very important |
| Natural gas was basically discovered in the same | | | | ingredient in our every day life, and we will always be |
| manner as oil, seeping up through the earths surface, | | | | dependent on them, but also new doors are being |
| producing the same foul smell comparable to rotten | | | | opened to lessen that dependency, and maybe one |
| eggs. This resource once contained would be used | | | | day the answer to my question, Can you imagine what |
| also for lighting, cooking and heating, and today has | | | | life would be like without the use of fossil fuels? "Yes". |
| globally become one of our main sources of heat. | | | | |