by Kanon Kato Fossil Fuels, a Resource

What are Fossil Fuels? Fossil Fuels are a non-renewable resource, but it is produced naturally. They are made from oil in fossils of animals that are extinct by now! These animals are diatoms, which are only one-celled. Your engines aren’t from dinosaurs! Diatoms are similar to plants in one way, which is that they use sunlight to produce their food, called photosynthesis It takes MILLIONS of YEARS to form these fossil fuels Examples of fossil fuels are: Petroleum, Coal, Natural Gas Fossil Fuels are used for heating, power, plastic, lighting, and other uses. It produces a greenhouse gas called carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), which affects the ozone layer, a layer that protects the earth from the UV rays that can damage our bodies. Coal (a fossil fuel) produces sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), and this gas contributes to ACID RAIN.

From DIATOMS to FUEL 1. First, there has to be DIATOMS. Diatoms are one-celled organisms. They float near the top of lakes and oceans. 2. It takes THOUSANDS of YEARS and MILLIONS of dead DIATOMS to make this “organic-rich sludge” which is stored at the bottom of the ocean. 3. Then, other sediments which cover the sludge will eventually turn the sludge into the source rock for fossil fuels! (It is also believed that certain chemical reactions, as well as heat and intense pressure help this process.) 4. Then, special rocks are placed in the ocean which are used to suck up the oil. Rocks like sandstones are used to suck up the oil. 5. Then this oil filled rocks will have to gather up, and there are quite a few traps in the earth that can store all this rock. 6. Then special machines suck these rocks up, or they build mines DEEP under the ground to collect these rocks.

How does Population Affect Fossil Fuels? The more people there are in the world, the more fossil fuels are used, thus making them scarce. There will be a lot more PEOPLE needing the fossil fuels, and because of this scarcity of the resource, research says that due to the amount of fossilized diatoms left, there wouldn’t be enough to last us through the next century. We will have to look for alternatives of fossil fuels, for example bio-fuels, and things like Wind Power and Solar Power, as well as Nuclear Power, therefore scientists are currently researching other power sources that can be used.

Perspective No.1: Natsuki Yoshioka She believes that our life would be harder to live in without fossil fuels, as we fossil fuels every day for almost everything like “electricity, building, cars, and other whatnot.” She doesn’t DIRECTLY use fossil fuels, but she does use things made, or things that USE fossil fuels, for example the laptop she has, and her stand-light. She knows that fossil fuels are harmful to the environment, as she states that “by burning fossil fuels, it produces a harmful substance called carbon-dioxide. Too much carbon-dioxide will damage the ozone layer and would eventually increase global warming.” Population effects the usage of fossil fuels in her opinion as the more people there are in a country the more “gadgets” using fossil fuels will be used. She said that we would in the end stop using fossil fuels as fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource, and that we should start using alternative sources of power, such as wind, solar, and hydro power. We then wouldn’t have to worry about losing this resource. However, she said, for now we would have to change our lifestyle a bit, for example using different materials and saving electricity would do to conserve the little of fossil fuels we have left.

Perspective No.2: Eli Constantopoulos He says that we need fossil fuels for things like plastic, gas, and oil. He uses fossil fuels INDIRECTLY by using plastic, for example the plastic on a pencil. He says that fossil fuels are hazardous to the environment due to the fact when fossil fuels are burnt, it gives off carbon dioxide, and because of the AMOUNT of carbon dioxide being emitted, it is hazardous to the environment. He says that because of population, there will be a greater demand of fossil fuels, thus having people to produce more, leaving not enough fossil fuels to last us people. He says that we SHOULDN’T stop, but look for other eco-friendly ways to make power, not just to use fossil fuels.

My Perspective We use fossil fuels for electricity, heating, plastic, natural gas, crude oil, and coal. I don’t directly use fossil fuels every day, but I do use products of fossil fuels, whether it is using computers or heating my room when it gets cold! Fossil fuels are hazardous to the environment as coal produces sulphur dioxide, producing acid rain. Acid rain turns perfectly good water into dangerous and acidic habitats for the organisms living in these places Burning fossil fuels for electricity releases carbon dioxide, and due to deforestation, too much carbon dioxide is being released into the air, which contributes to global warming. That can change the weather in the world, causing more and more floods, and unexpected hurricanes. Because of population, more fossil fuels would be used, and more harmful the environment would become. We, in the end, will stop using fossil fuels, so we should learn ways to CONSERVE the fossil fuels we have now, and find other power sources!

Our Responsibility WE, the new generation have to take actions in reducing fossil fuel usage, both for the environment’s benefit, and OUR benefit. WE can... Use environmentally friendly fuels and resources, such as bio-fuels, tidal power, wind power, geothermal power, wave power, hydro-electric power, and other sources. Even though these types of power are not as efficient as fossil fuels, if we can use a combination of these resources, we could get a good result. We can CUT BACK on usage of fossil fuels RIGHT NOW! Small things like turning of you car engine when the car is stuck in traffic and using public transportation can help! In the winter, wear warm clothes inside and lower down the heat! That would help cutting down the usage of fossil fuels! You could insulate your house as another way to not use too much heat! Carpooling is another option. You can get your parents to pile your friends and neighbors into a car, and drop each other off at their destinations! If you guys are going to the same place, then that would cut down on fossil fuel usage, and it would be A LOT more fun to go somewhere together with your friends, so it would be like a DOUBLE PLUS!

TRIVIA 1. What was the name of the type of animal that is used for Fossil Fuels? 2. Name two types of Fossil Fuels 3. What does coal produce when burnt? 4. Give me two ways that fossil fuels are used