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Fossil fuels are made from decomposing plants and animals. These fuels are found in Earth’s crust and contain carbon and hydrogen, which can be burned for energy. Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels. Coal is a material usually found in sedimentary rock deposits where rock and dead plant and animal matter are piled up in layers.

Do you think fossil fuels are bad?

• YES

• NO

More than 50 percent of a piece of coal’s weight must be from fossilized plants. Oil is originally found as a solid material between layers of sedimentary rock, like shale. This material is heated in order to produce the thick oil that can be used to make gasoline. Natural gas is usually found in pockets above oil deposits. It can also be found in sedimentary rock layers that don’t contain oil. Natural gas is primarily made up of methane.

Must be from what kind of plants?

• Fossilized

• Garden

According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, 81 percent of the total energy used in the United States comes from coal, oil, and natural gas. This is the energy that is used to heat and provide electricity to homes and businesses and to run cars and factories.

SOOOO.... Do we depend on these sources?

• YES

• NO

We would be waiting millions of years for new coal, oil, and natural gas deposits if we ran out. Is this renewable or nonrenewable?

• Renewable

• Non- Renewable

Fossil fuels are also responsible for almost three-fourths of the emissions from human activities in the last 20 years. What is a way you think we can reduce this?