2006-10-27 11:59:36 · 18 answers · asked by paul c 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
There is no definite answer to that one. It depends how efficiently we use them, and how quickly we develop our alternatives and convince the US and China to do the same.
We currently use only about 22 units of every 100 units of energy that is available in fossil fuel that we burn. If we were more efficient the fuel would last longer and buy us some time.
2006-10-29 19:42:41 · answer #1 · answered by saz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Later than we think (I'm assuming you mean liquid fossil fuels because we have a few hundred years of coal at least).
At some point, we will start extracting oil from shale (10 years)and making oil out of coal (25-50 years). The big problem here is environmentalists oppose these activities at present.
But opposition will wane as a result of the high cost of oil (which will be conserved and used for lubrication not fuel). That will become too expensive as well, so we will have to go to nukes.
But the real problem is that we use oil to make plastics. You can make energy out of uranium and have electric cars (or we can ride bikes), but I'm not sure how we will make plastics (maybe just recycling).
2006-10-27 19:09:02 · answer #2 · answered by Yo it's Me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wrong the earth is recycling our CO2 as fast as it can ,but using coal ,and all the other that is out there we should never run out. We have enough coal to last 200 yrs. it is all there and the quicker we get it straight the better. The environmentalist want u to believe that the CO2 has increased 30%but try to measure it. It hasn't increased if u measure it it will be 1 to 2 parts per million . The plants are doing a beautiful job of recycling CO2 to the plants that are washed down to the delta where it will become more gas and oil.
2006-10-27 19:21:01 · answer #3 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think things are as bad as it is made out to be. I can remember in the 70's everyone was saying that there was only 30 years oil left in the world, well consumption has gone up but we still have oil and we keep finding more. There is colossal amounts of coal left around the world................ so things aren't too bad. However with technology we will find alternatives like solar energy, wave power, wind turbines, thermal heat and fuel cells just to mention a few............... I think we need to hurry up, but not to get too depressed about it.
2006-10-30 06:00:01 · answer #4 · answered by Robert B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This time round, pretty soon.
Add an extinction of current civilisation, a few more billion years of the planet being allowed to behave and decay/replenish naturally and the fossil fuels will be back.............. just in time for the next form of humanoid that develops to use it all up again !!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-27 19:07:12 · answer #5 · answered by Jon H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thursday
2006-10-27 19:02:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In about 40 - -50 years, new technology will keep squeezing more out of the earth, but we can aways go back to coal
2006-10-27 19:04:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one really know what is the total deposit of fossil fuels.
And the consumption rate is accelerating.
2006-10-27 19:08:18 · answer #8 · answered by chanljkk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
75 to 500 years according to my Chemistry textbook as of 2014.
2014-11-17 19:23:10 · answer #9 · answered by Alter 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the climate will dictate that in alot of respects. The morse harsh our winters are, the quicker they will be used up. Experts are predicting that it could be within the next ten years or so. Frightening.
2006-10-27 19:09:13 · answer #10 · answered by cherub 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋