Coal and oil      

. The bodies of plants that died millions of years ago turn, very slowly, into a substance called coal. The energy of the plant biomass of millions of years ago is used as a Form of fossil fuel.

. The bodies of other types of creatures have turned into oil over millions of years. This 'crude oil is pumped out of the Earth (much of it is under the oceans) and 'refined' to produce our modern fuels-petrol and diesoline. Oil can also be obtained from coal. Cameroon exports a large amount of petroleum to other countries.

Natural gas

Natural gas is also a fossil fuel. It is a mixture of gases and is found deep under the ground or ocean Boor. The most important natural gas is methane. Natural gases are often found near to the other forms of fossil fuel-coal and oil.

Problems with fossil fuels

The 'fossil fuels' are very important sources of energy, but they have two big problems.

1. Fossil fuels are not 'renewable'. This means that they are getting used up and one day will be exhausted (finished).

2. Fossil fuels need to be burned to release ('unlock') the energy they contain. This process uses up oxygen and produces carbon dioxide as a ‘breakdown product'. The carbon dioxide escapes into the atmosphere, where it can become harmful. The carbon dioxide forms a sort of 'blanket' around our planet, and is causing the Earth's atmosphere to get warmer. This process is called the 'greenhouse effect'. It is causing 'global warming'.

This holds many dangers for all the planet's creatures including ourselves.