Everything requires energy to run and function. The human body needs energy to function, plants need energy to grow, and machines need energy to function. When it comes to modern energy forms, fossil fuels are the most widely used. The world has become highly reliant on the use of fossil fuels to function which is presenting a lot of problems for the world and the environment.

Fossil fuels are forms of fuels that are formed by natural processes of the earth like the decaying of organic matter. These forms of energy are considered non-renewable because of the millions of years it takes to create them. Natural gas, coal, petroleum, and all the different variations of petroleum ( like oil, gasoline, kerosene, and propane) are all examples of fossil fuels. These forms of fuels are used for so many different things such as heating homes, running vehicles, powering factories, and creating electricity.

The United States relies on fossil fuels for 81% of the necessary energy in order to function. There are a major reason why we are able to function the way we need to on a daily basis. There is a newly realized need to shift away from these forms of fuels.

• The environment is highly affected by the burning of these fuels. One of the byproducts of fossil fuels is carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. This gas and other greenhouse gases are adding to the event of global warming and other pollution related issues. Global warming is affecting different environments all over the world, all in different ways.
• These non-renewable fossil fuels are being depleted worldwide. The sources of these fuels are running low and there aren’t new sources being discovered for them to be obtained from. Many countries have also depleted their stores of these fuels in order to combat the diminishment in harvesting of fossil fuels. That non-renewable quality is rearing its head with the use of these fuels.
• As we get to the bottom of the barrel, in a manner of speaking, it is becoming more difficult and costly to gather these remaining resources. It is more and more difficult to dig and mine deeper to collect more of these fuel sources.

People are starting to understand that converting to alternative, renewable fuel sources is becoming an important part of our global future. Many alternative fuels are beginning to be implemented all over the world, like solar power systems in Frederick, Colorado. Other forms of alternative fuels being utilized are wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric. With advancements in science and technology, these fuel sources are becoming more and more efficient for use in a wide range of different applications.