What are fossil fuels? Fossil fuels are generally such fuels as oil, natural petroleum and coal. These materials were derived from the fossilized remains of plants and animals. The United States and much of the world have relied upon these fuels for decades and more. As the years go on, the sources of these fuels have become less and less.

The problem with fossil fuels is they will someday run out. It takes time for these energy sources to develop within the crust of the earth. At the current rate of consumption, there is no way that these fuels can develop naturally and not be used up. Currently there are ways being developed to sustain these fuels.

More efficient uses are these energies are being produced. Cars with better gas mileage are being manufactured. Hybrid cars which use electricity as well as gas are just one of the many products which have been developed to sustain the use of fossil fuels. Still these fuels are being depleted.

Another problem with the use of fossils fuels is no matter how safely and efficiently these fuels are being used, they still have an impact on the environment. The combustion of these fuels contributes pollutants to the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. This effect increases global warming and the melting of the polar ice caps.

Alternatives are being developed. Fossils fuels cannot last forever at the current rate of consumption. Alternatives are being developed to sustain the lifestyles that we have become accustomed too. In time, fossil fuels will be a thing of the past.