The world runs on oil
When you flick on a light switch in your house or go for a ride in a car, the energy to power the device most likely comes from burning fossil fuels. Planes, trains, cars and trucks guzzle different types of oil, and mains electricity is mostly generated in power stations by burning coal and oil.
As well as providing energy, a mind-boggling number of modern materials and products started out life as oil. Our clothes, shoes and most things in our homes are made from plastics that come from oil.
What are fossil fuels?
Oil, coal and natural gas are called fossil fuels, because they are formed from the remains of ancient living things. When they were alive, these plants, algae and microscopic plankton captured…