• Question: What does fossil fuel mean???

    Asked by Saoirse to Andrew, Dilip, Emma, John, Ruth on 16 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Emma Feeney

      Emma Feeney answered on 16 Nov 2015:

      Fossil fuel means fuel that is non-renewable, or can run out. Fossil fuels include gas, coal and oil. Examples of fuels that won’t run out are solar energy, wind power and energy harnessed from waves or water. My dad is really into renewable energy – we don’t actually have mains electricity, instead, he has a giant wind turbine that powers our house at home, and charges a big battery system for whenever its not windy. Its good for the environment because you’re not using up the earth’s remaining fossil fuel resources, and you’re not releasing CO2 from burning gas, coal or oil.

    • Photo: Ruth Hamill

      Ruth Hamill answered on 17 Nov 2015:

      A fossil fuel is so called because it actually comes from decomposed ancient organisms, plants, animals and microorganisms. They formed over millions of years but we might use them up in hundreds!

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