Alternative Fules

Carissa Savant

Lisa Montagne-Galloway

English 1B

23 April 2009

Oil Depletion – A Bottomless Pit

For many years mankind has been using oil for consumer products, including cosmetics, plastics, textiles, and propane. It is a main source of energy for vehicles and airplanes which has contributed to our economical growth and population. Throughout the world there is a lot of discussion on oil consumption in our societies and the increasing rate of oil depletion. This industry was once controlled solely by consumer demand, but it has now been changed to an industry that is limited by the manufacturer’s ability to keep up with the demand. As oil will continue to be used globally and the consumption will continue to increase, we need to take control and act on this situation by encouraging new ideas about other fuel production and choices. “We can fight the war on terror by building fuel-efficient cars that are less dependent on oil and by developing alternative energy sources, such as ethanol, that are renewable and can be grown in the United States” (Obama 11). Over the last hundred years the world’s population has become increasingly more dependent on oil despite the fact that there is a finite amount on our planet. If oil is being consumed faster than it is extracted and refined in today’s economy then we run the risk of over consumption and oil depletion; therefore, alternative fuels for the general population to consume need to be further explored and developed so our dependence on oil is drastically reduced for future generations.

Oil is part of everyday life and is used by everyone in some way. During the average day, people depend on limitless energy to run their everyday needs. Using fossil fuels has made this possible to keep things going as a convenience for people’s daily lives. Fossil fuels consist of natural gas, coal, and most importantly petroleum, which is often called oil. It is a main source of energy for...