Fossil fuels include oil, coal and gas. They are formed over millions of years as layers of organic matter – plant and animal remains – slowly decompose.
In time, they are buried deep underground where they safely remain until we dig them up. Burning those fuels allows power generation, but also releases huge quantities of CO2 back into the atmosphere.
By definition, fossil fuels will eventually run out. There has been endless debate over whether or not we have reached "peak oil", the point at which global production peaks. Whatever the truth, fossil fuels will eventually run out, but before that will be increasingly difficult and environmentally damaging to extract. Even leaving greenhouse gas emissions out of the equation, it is clear that we need to find an alternative mainstream energy source if we are to live sustainably within the natural resources we have.
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