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Why Fossil Fuels Need Conserving

Despite many attempts to estimate the exact amount of fossil fuels left in the world, we still do not know precisely how much remains, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. However, a 2000 United States Geological Survey came up with 6 trillion barrels--with somewhere between 30 and 50 percent of that recoverable. Fears over an impending oil crisis necessitate conserving what fossil fuels we have.

  1. Features

    • Once the world runs out of fossil fuels, we won't have any left--at least none that make any economic sense to recover. Earth created our current reserves over the course of millions of years, making fossil fuels essentially nonrenewable. Thus, the more we conserve our current supplies, the longer we can use fossil fuels while looking for another energy source.

    Effects

    • In addition to preserving our energy supply, conserving fossil fuels reduces the impact of carbon pollution on our environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The average family puts 11,200 pounds of pollution into the atmosphere each year, so each time you conserve fuel it cuts into that number.

    Time Frame

    • Turning the world from an oil economy to one based on an alternative fuel such as hydrogen would take several decades. According to Keith Guy, the small country of Iceland, for example, hopes to have a completely hydrogen economy by 2050. Thus, no matter what, in all likelihood we need to use oil for the foreseeable future.

    Misconceptions

    • Conserving fossil fuels also helps reduce the amount of oil that U.S. imports from countries like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, according to the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. The U.S. cannot simply meet its needs through more exploration in places like Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge. At best, the U.S. only has about 22 billion barrels of oil.

    Tips

    • The EPA recommends riding public buses or using a bicycle instead of driving a car. Also, recycling items such as aluminum cans and plastic bottles, along with closing drapes during warmer days and sealing up any cracks that bring in drafts will help, the EPA says.

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