Fossil fuels are predominant in today's energy system and account for more than 85% of the world's energy consumption. Today, the need for energy is enormous, plus it's constantly growing and will continue to do so. How can we meet the energy demands, if we predominantly depend on fossil fuels? We can't, and sooner or later we will have to find alternatives.

Why alternatives? Two reasons – energy supply and environmental concerns. We all know fossil fuels will eventually run out. By some estimates, they may be depleted within the next 50 years or so. Fossil fuels were formed from organic materials (dead plants and animals) over hundreds of millions of years and cannot be renewed. When they run out, they are gone for good.

One of the biggest problems with fossil fuels is pollution. Coal fueled power plants are the largest source of air pollution in the U.S. Burning fossil fuels produces many pollutants – carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and many other harmful compounds. This causes many health and environmental problems – acid rain, smog, ozone hole, and global climate change just to name a few.

Fossil fuels definitely don't have a bright future. We know that the future belongs to renewable energy sources that do not pollute the environment. Not to mention they come in unlimited supplies. Solar, wind, and hydro are the main forms of renewable energy today.

Our overly dependence on non-renewable energy sources is, as we know, not sustainable. We should put in serious efforts to reduce it. There are renewable eco-friendly alternatives all around us.

The main objection against green energy is the cost. That's true, renewable energy is generally more expensive, but for how long? When fossil fuels start to run out, the price will climb and we won't have a viable replacement.

Alternative energy sources are definitely the way of the future. But how smooth will the transition from fossil fuels be? That's up to us and is certainly something to consider sooner rather than later.

You can start using renewable energy today and greatly reduce or even eliminate your power bill. Making your own electricity is easier and cheaper than you think. See earth4energy guide for more details.