when we run out of fossil fuels< would the world` come to a standstill? oour decline after our goldenage?

Question

i understand its slow. not like hitting a wall.butinflation,not enough reliable technology,a system overdependent on fossil fuels....what about all that?

it`s not just the energy part.what about petro chemicals, all the other important products from petroleum and coal?

Answer 1

There are renewable fuels.
Vegetable oils, ethanol ,sun, wind .
http://www.ethanolrfa.org/
http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelrenewable.html
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/renewable.html
http://www.greenfuels.org/
http://www.greencar.com/index.cfm?content=topstory4

Answer 2

I don't think it's likely. Human beings are too resilient. For example, there is a company in Nebraska that is making plastic out of corn. Corn is also being used to make ethanol. And, next year we'll see the first automobile that runs without any fossil fuel. Watch for the Tesla. It's a sports car, goes zero to sixty in 4 seconds, and has a range of 250 miles before it needs recharging. The first 100 have already sold for $100,000 each...cash.

Tesla intends to make 800 cars the first year. But, as scientists start tinkering with it, we'll see other models appear with a greater range, larger body, etc.

There is so much research going on right now using renewable energy to replace fossil fuels that a lack of oil or coal is not going to bring about the end of the world. If the world ends, it will be because of weapons of mass destruction.

Answer 3

Unlikely. The fossil fuel does not just run out from one day to the next. The fossil fuel reserves slowly decline over time. With less supply and constant or increasing demand, the adjustment happens through higher prices (what we see today). Increasing prices have two effects: (1) the available reserves increase (because it becomes profitable to tap into reserves which have so far not been considered) and (2) alternative sources of fuels and energy become economically more viable. So, the answer is no, the world does not come to a standstill; it will change and develop.

Answer 4

If we use up ALL the fossil fuel reserves I doubt there will anything for humans to worry about as we will have pollutes the atmosphere to the point where life will become extinct. There are many alternative forms of energy available to us that are not being properly researched because of the fact that existing energy producers are holding them back in order to not endanger their own profits. One such system is nuclear FUSION which, unlike fission, creates no radiation or waste other than harmless helium. If you think of a hydrogen bomb which, by the fission of about as much hydrogen as you get in a large party balloon produces a blast energy of 20 megatons of TNT the power of the atom becomes clear. By Fusion hydrogen is turned to helium producing an even greater power output but in the form of heat. By calculation the hydrogen you can extract from the water in a swimming pool would produce enough energy to power the entire U.S. for a month. When we develop systems to harness this energy (it is possible on a minute scale at the moment only) we will truly enter a "Golden Age".

Answer 5

Fossil fuel is not our only energy source. Sure, we are dependent on it right now, but as the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. we humans will soon learn how to harness the power of our sun (which by the way, dwarfs all energy sources). Imagine if we can only harness all the energy that the sun throws at us for just about 12 sec, we will have enough energy to last us for a year!!!

Answer 6

I don't think so.

There r several alternate energy products available plus the scientists r experimenting and lot of research goes on in this field.

People may use wind power, solar energy, biofuels et al.
and if everything else fails--- there is "pedal power"-- u can use ur feet for transport since most of the fossil fuels r used in transport sector.

Answer 7

I think it will only get better. Already so many r&d is going on alternate energy sources. Bio diesel and hydrogen based vehicles , efficiant electric and solar opperated vehicles are begning to take shape. So don't worry. The world will become much better, cheaper and also cleaner.

Answer 8

the WORLD goes on......... alway has & always will

( see last line ate bottom )

when something ends ---something begins

the dinosaurs went --- world goes on.......
the ice ages ended ... the world goes on..........
The british empire ended... the world goes on.........
the cricket season ended ... the world goes on.........

the fossil fuel ended (*)........the world goes on

Photons, ( lasers) protons, solar energy, geo thermal, nuclear,
chemical, radiation, various & numerous renewable sources
Ocean , water currents, wind energy.

hey.....

did they need dryers for hair, clothe, years ago...

NO

Did they need coal & oil 300 years ago.....

NO

does every travel in the steam engine

NO

so what are you confused about.........

where is your intellect.. ( sleeping ) the better intellect... .. did it get blogged down by all the hype........ wake up & realize.....

yes it is wise not to waste / abuse or exploit what we have

Answer 9

no the world will not come to a standstill . did the stone age faded away because there were no more stones? be sure that we will find new and better ages. already people are testing solar cars , cars running on hydrogen etc. lot of water in the oceans and it is all hydrogen and oxygen !!! we will be alright.

Answer 10

the point is not about the amount of combustible.
the point is about the industries derived from their explotation, have configured the world we know, politicaly and economically.
in fact, that 's the only reason for not developing other types of energy generation, since 1970.

Answer 11

we have the technology to not use fossil fuels but its easier to use what we have. when we do run out new things will arise