The world needs to start making alternative energy sources a priority for a number of reasons. “Alternative energy refers to energy sources that do not have undesirable consequences, such as fossil fuels or nuclear energy” (“Alternative Energy”). Alternative energy sources collectively provide only about seven percent of the total global energy supply (McLamb). Even though fossil fuels are cheap and abundant, can help a country's economy, and can be extracted relatively easily, they have many disastrous effects (“Activity 3 – Fossil Fuels – The Pros and Cons”). The burning of fossil fuels emits dangerous substances that harm our ecosystem. The carbon dioxide emitted is a major greenhouse gas (McLamb). Greenhouse gases increase global warming (McLamb). The effects of global warming include the melting of ice caps, which causes sea levels to rise. This causes the composition of the surrounding water to change (McLamb). Pollution from burning fossil fuels also harms living plants and animals (McLamb). Fossil fuels will become increasingly difficult to extract over time (“Activity 3 – Fossil Fuels – The Pros and Cons”). Even if scientists have found a way to control pollution, it is very expensive (“Activity 3 – Fossil Fuels – The Pros and Cons”). It will also become more difficult and dangerous to extract fossil fuels, as companies like Exxon and Marathon will have to drill deeper to obtain more oil (“Activity 3 – Fossil Fuels – The Pros and Cons”). This will lead to increased fuel costs (“Activity 3 – Fossil Fuels – Advantages and Disadvantages”). There are many alternatives to fossil fuels that can provide sustainable energy. Nuclear power provides six percent of the world's energy (McLamb). Nuclear energy is collected through a paper...... middle of paper ...... providing valuable resources of cars and electricity when needed to make new materials and to power equipment intended to medical research (“Activity 3 – Fossil fuels – Advantages and disadvantages”). Humans need to start caring about the future of the Earth and start using renewable energy sources regularly. Works Cited “Activity 3 – Fossil Fuels – The Advantages and Disadvantages”. SAI. Sustainabel Energy Authority of Ireland, nd Web. November 15, 2013. “Alternative energy”. – Wind, solar, hydroelectric and other alternative energy sources for domestic power. Np, and Web. November 13, 2013. “Alternative forms of energy.” Benefits of recycling. Np, and Web. November 13, 2013. Karthik, Natayani. “Alternative forms of energy”. iBuzzle. Np, October 4, 2011. Web. November 13, 2013.McLamb, Eric. “Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy Resources.” Global Ecology Network. Ecology Communications Group, September 6, 2011. Web. November 12. 2013.