How do you think we can prevent the scarcity of fossil fuels?

Question

The price of petrol and diesel are rising day by day and our hydrocarbon reserves are diminishing...Although researches are still going on..to find a substitute,what else can we do to prevent "lack of fuel" condition??

Any ideas?Any sugestions??

Johnnie, as you said,the earth recycles....but,it takes a huge amount of time for that...Also...the organic matter(such as plants,animals etc..) are also getting used up..

Answer 1

First thing we could do would be to talk about it, spread awareness, let people know that there is an issue which needs to be tackled before it turns into a crisis. You posing this question depicts that we (at least you) have got the first step right.

Let me first state that in my opinion, there is no out-of-the-box easy solution for this. The only answers are search for newer and non-traditional sources of energy like geothermal energy, tidal energy, solar energy, liquid hydrogen, garbage energy etc and exercise controlled and minimized use of non-replenishable sources of energy.

Here are a few suggestions-

1- Save oil!
Seen as a caption in many of the children's painting competitions- "Save Oil!" should be the motto of everyone around the planet. Personal automobiles should be used less. Public transport facilities should be ameliorated.

2- Go CFL!
Compact fluorescent light bulbs should replace the energy consuming electric bulbs. Likewise, age-old machines should make way for the modern energy efficient appliances.

3- Check vehicles!
What was the last time you neglected your bike/ car's poor average and mileage? Over-consumption should be kept under check by keeping your ride in good condition.

4- Search!
Search for new oil reserves might just buy us more time to think over and solve the impending crisis.

5- Fire and oil make a deadly combo...
Keep the oil refineries and reserves well protected from fire. Not only these accidental fires cause a loss of money and lives, they result in huge loss of the natural resources.

6- Encourage the solar cooker.
Don't mock the nuclear plant. It is a shy but bright kid. Kidding! Ok bad joke... I mean to say- we should slowly work towards establishing non-traditional sources of energy in our lifestyles. Nuclear energy still has a wide scope of application. Same with hydroelectric, solar, wind and other alternatives.

7- Turn off the lights, switch off the fans....
You're probably yawning reading this. This had been repeated so many times but still... you have to save energy in day-to-day affairs.

8- Spread awareness.
Yes, we need more campaigns. The chapters in our social-studies books have already told and retold us all these things but, there is a certain crowd that needs to be told about this in a more effective manner.

9- Smokeless and fuel efficient chulhas.
Here, in India, villages still rely on fuel wood and coal for their basic energy needs. The smokeless chulhas (stoves) go a long way in conserving wood from blind consumption.

10- Use Biogas.
We need more biogas plants. They, in my view, are the best and simplest alternatives in terms of energy cycling. Go biogas! So what if it doesn't smell like roses?

11- Population!
All these measures are of no or little use if the consumption still keeps growing. How about we put a check on population growth? We have been listening to this since the beginning! Do something! Take lessons from China!

12- Plant trees....
Again a well-known and over-discussed solution. We need more mass campaigns. More fuel wood trees and shrubs should be grown.

Answer 2

I think we need to do all we can such as bio diesel ,because I don't trust the Arabs. U are looking at the wrong problem,there will never be no fossil fuels as the earth recycles these all the time. Just need to get better at finding where Mother nature hides it. Where do u think our original fossil fuels come from??? here is how it is done,The plants take in the CO2 and they hold on to the C and give us back the O2.Now back to the plants ,they take the C and make food for the plants to accelerate growth . Then the leaves get big and all is fine until winter comes and kills the leaves. The leaves fall off and wash down the rivers to the delta where it deteriorates in to Gas ,Oil, and coal.

Answer 3

I read an article in The Guardian newspaper recently which said that spending on contraception and empowering women was a far cheaper way to cut Co2 emissions and therefore (allegedly) cut global warming. Whether there is a link between Co2 and GW or not, more people means more resources being used. More children also means a poorer quality of life for all those children. I have been to India and it is a great country, but cursed with poverty. I would strongly recommend you get a copy of a book called "A Farewell to Alms" by Gregory Clark, a professor at Princeton University who demonstrates a link between falling birthrates and increasing living standards as well as lower levels of environmental over-explotation. Also, stop de-forestation and educate people about the importance of tree cover - tell them about "The Tragedy of the Commons"! (see link below).

Answer 4

People need to understand that fossil fuel took millions of years to form and will not regenerate in time to take place of the fuel we have used up. We also need to realize that it's easier to take preventative measures and use less while we still have fossil fuels than trying to come up with ways of running things once the fossil fuels have been exhausted...even if it will not affect our generation, it is always nice to think of those who come after us.

We need our government's help with this, because it is almost impossible to fight this battle on an individual level, as some people refuse to do things unless they are enforced by law.

Everyone can do their bit to limit fossil fuel use by using energy saving light bulbs, walking for short distances instead of driving, using public transport where available or sharing a car with a colleague to get to work, keeping the house heated to 65 instead of 70 degrees, only keeping a light on in the room you are in...these little adjustments to your lifestyle will help you save money on your bills and also help save the planet. Don't just talk about it, do it!

Answer 5

Well in my opinion - Think of how much longer our fuel reserves would last if everyone didn't drive those huge trucks and SUV's that get 10 mpg. There are tons of cars that get at least 30+ and get people to the same places with 1/3 the amount of fuel. It makes me want to hurl when I see dumbasses commuting to work in a Sequoia or Yukon or giant truck on a sunny day on the freeway. Egotistical dorks with confidence problems...imo.

Answer 6

There are plenty of alternatives but until they are less expensive fossil fuels will be used. The markets will sort out what we use for power and when. Government's role should be damage limitation; ie nuclear power can cripple a future generation of a million kids in an area like the Ukraine so it's not worth it regardless.

Answer 7

I think if we could invent a giant vacuum to put on a huge ship that could suck the frozen methane off the ocean floor we could beat the problem. It would have to have a hose that could reach to the ocean floor. The hose would have to have thermos like properties and we would have to put a giant freezer on top of the ship to keep freezing air circulated through the hose. At the ocean floor robots would have to work day and night with jack hammers releasing more of the frozen methane. Some robots will hold the hose and be remote controlled to move and guide the hose tip. Methane can burn like coal and there are three times more of it than all the other fossil fuels combined. It would be an achievable task and we could do it if we put our minds to it. I would love to be known as one who invented it and maybe I will. E-mail me what you think of my answer.

Answer 8

There is no prevention except using alternative power sources. Unfortunately, however, there's less profit in any other method so we're gonna use it all up, then make the shift out of nesecity.

Answer 9

We can't. The oilholes who run the world are going to make us use it all up before finding a new way to fleece us.