Short answers, pulled from the story.
Fossil fuels are compressed ancient sunlight formed over millions of years from dead plants and animals. This energy was captured by photosynthesis and trapped in the Earth's crust before being transformed by heat and pressure into hydrocarbons.
The term fossil fuel was first recorded in English in 1759 by the German chemist Caspar Neumann. Earlier theories by Andreas Libavius in 1597 and Mikhail Lomonosov in 1757 laid the groundwork for understanding these resources as remains of ancient life.
Estimates suggest over 8 million deaths annually due to particulate matter and noxious gases from fossil fuel air pollution. This pollution is a leading cause of premature death and costs an estimated 3.3% of the global gross domestic product.
In 2022, over 70% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions were carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels. This primary greenhouse gas drives global warming and ocean acidification while releasing harmful substances like sulfuric and nitric acids.
The global oil and gas industry reached a record net income of 4 trillion US dollars in 2022. This economic power reflects the immense value of these resources despite their environmental and health costs.
The International Energy Agency concluded in 2021 that no new fossil fuel extraction projects could be opened if the world wants to avoid the worst effects of climate change. International policy aims to facilitate a global transition to net zero emissions by 2050.