The term "fossil fuels" is very commonly heard nowadays. Most of the time, it is mentioned in the context of environmental problems, climate change, or the energy crisis. In addition to being a major source of pollution, humanity's dependence on fossil fuels has generated a certain amount of anxiety in recent decades and fueled the demand for alternatives.
But what are fossil fuels actually? While most people think of gasoline and oil when they hear these words, they actually apply to many other sources of energy that are derived from decomposed organic material. How we came to depend so much on them and what we can look for in their place are some of the biggest concerns we face today.
Fossil fuels refer to sources of energy that are formed as a result of the anaerobic decomposition of living matter that contains energy as a result of ancient photosynthesis. Usually, these organisms have been dead for millions of years, some dating back to the Cryogenian period (approximately 650 million years ago). Fossil fuels contain high percentages of carbon and energy stored in chemical bonds. They can take the form of petroleum, coal, natural gas, and other hydrocarbon fuel compounds. While oil and natural gas are formed through the decomposition of organisms, coal and methane are the result of the breakdown of terrestrial plants.
Source: universal-sci.com