1. By: Doris Pineda, Jennifer Garcia, Alejandra Gonzalez, Brenda Quintero, Jovannie Garcia, & Gustavo Cuellar

2.  Fossil fuels are formed by the anaerobic decomposition of remains of organisms including phytoplankton and zooplankton that settled to the sea (or lake) bottom in large quantities under anoxic conditions, millions of years ago.  Fossil fuels are oil, coal and natural gas.  Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form, and reserves are being depleted much faster than new ones are being formed. http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2009/09/f ossil-fuels-facts.html

4.  All fossil fuels are made of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons store energy in the form of the atomic bonds. Energy stored in hydrocarbons can be released very easy - we just have to burn them.  Fossil fuels are also overwhelmingly responsible for fueling our transportation system. Petroleum- based fuels are the standard. http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2009/09/f ossil-fuels-facts.html

5. Coal is crushed to a fine dust and burnt. Oil and gas can be burnt directly http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/fossil.htm

6.  Though they have largely captured the attention of mankind during the industrial revolution, they have been in use much before that. Coal was first used in China around 1000 BC, while oil was used by ancient Sumerians and Babylonians almost 5000 - 6000 years ago.  Though oil is found all over the world, almost 63% of the natural oil sources are concentrated in the Middle East Countries. Oil is found between the layers of rock and is extracted by a drilling process. Oil is used to produce a number of petrochemical products including gasoline, petroleum, plastic, fabrics, kerosene and diesel by the method of distillation. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/information-on-fossil- fuels-how-are-fossil-fuels-made.html

7.  The burning of fossil fuels is estimated to be responsible for releasing 21.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is an important greenhouse gas. This is a significant factor contributing to the phenomenon of global warming. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/information-on-fossil-fuels-how-are-fossil- fuels-made.html

8.  This increased content of Carbon Dioxide increases the warmth of our planet and is the main cause of the so called “Global Warming Effect”. One answer to global warming is to replace and retrofit current technologies with alternatives that have comparable or better performance, but do not emit carbon dioxide. We call this Alternate energy.  Alternative energy refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences such for example fossil fuels or nuclear energy  Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be "free" energy sources.  They all have lower carbon emissions, compared to conventional energy sources. These include Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy sources. http://www.altenergy.org /

9.  Combined with the use of recycling, the use of clean alternative energies such as the home use of solar power systems will help ensure man's survival into the 21st century and beyond http://www.altenergy.org