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Fossil fuels are a source of non-renewable energy.

Fossil fuels are chemicals from plants and other organisms that died millions of years ago and have been preserved deep underground. Coal, gasoline, propane, diesel and oil are examples of fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels are also called Hydro-carbons and are a key ingredient in many forms of combustion.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and Global Warming

When fossil fuels are burned in vehicles, furnaces, electrical generating plants and other places, gases are released and collect in the atmosphere. These gases, called greenhouse gases (GHGs), trap thermal energy (heat). Scientists believe that this causes the overall temperature of the atmosphere to increase and the earth to become warmer. This is called global warming. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. The impact each of these gases has on the climate depends on how long they remain active in the atmosphere and on their heat-trapping abilities.