Fossil Fuels
Renewable Energy Source
Non-renewable Energy Source
Energy sources are nonrenewable if they
cannot be made again in a short period
of time.
Renewable energy sources, such as solar
and wind, can be replenished naturally
in a short period of time.
What are Fossil Fuels?
• Non-renewable energy sources that
formed from the buried remains of
plants and animals that lived millions
of years ago
• Over time, heat and pressure turned
decomposing remains into fuels, which
release energy when burned
Three Forms
Coal
Hard, black, lumpy
substance
Oil
Natural Gas
Dark, thick, greasy
liquid
Colorless, odorless,
shapeless gas
In High Demand
• People all over the world depend on
fossil fuels to make electricity, heat
homes and other buildings, drive cars,
etc.
• Fossil fuels supply about 90 percent of
the world’s energy
Problems with Fossil Fuels
• Humans are using fossil fuels 100,000
times faster than they are being made
• When we burn fossil fuels we create
pollution
– Fossil fuels contain carbon. When they
are burned the carbon goes into the air
and makes carbon dioxide