What are Alternative Fossil Fuels?
Fossil fuels are natural resources that are created by the long-term decay of dead organisms and are burned to produce energy. This type of fuel typically is characterized by high carbon and hydrocarbon content. Coal, oil, and natural gas represent the majority of fossil fuels used globally. Burning fossil fuels releases a bi-product of carbon dioxide into the air, known as greenhouse gases, which are suspected of causing rising surface temperatures on the Earth. Fossil fuels are a diminishing commodity in high demand; for example, more than 85% of the energy used by the United States comes from burning fossil fuels. Alternative fossil fuels are also carbon-based forms of fuel, but are obtained from different resources, such as oil sands and converting coal into liquid. Alternative fuels have the same ability to produce energy through burning, but may be more readily available.
