Problems

Perceived Problems

In the industrial revolution, the world entered an age of fossil fuels. Coal and petroleum quickly dominated every corner of industry and transportation. Today, however, these hydrocarbon fuel supplies are beginning to dwindle as society and industry expand.

The use of these fuels produces millions of tons of carbon emissions every year, making fossil fuels the highest contributing factor to global warming. Greenhouse gasses are altering the biosphere in many negative ways, whether it is the melting of the ice caps or the increasing toxicity of various environments.

The rate of carbon emission production is also rapidly accelerating as world industry expands. More fuel is needed to supply a growing demand. If a replacement for fossil fuels is not found within the foreseeable future, then environmental destruction will only accelerate. For this reason, the development of renewable, clean fuel is an incredibly important task.