DEPENDANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS

     By the 1970’s, however, most industrialized countries had become dependent on the use of fossil fuels as an energy source. As the world has only limited resources of these materials, countries where these resources are natural to them, such as in the Middle East, had gained more and more economic power. In 1973, North America experienced a fuel crisis when OPEC, the Middle Eastern organization, reduced crude oil supplies and increased prices to the rest of the world. (Energy Matters, 1998). Many of the world’s current political problems continue to stem from these issues.

     Obviously, it has become important to look at alternative options for energy sources. Many countries have again turned to look at biofuels as an answer. It is certainly a local renewable resource that can become a viable option. In Europe, France and Germany are actively utilizing biodiesel as an energy source. In Germany, one can purchase pure biofuel at many gas service stations. In the United States, over 200 major fleets including the Postal Service, the US Military, metropolitan transit systems and school districts now run on biodiesel fuel. (Yokayo Biofuels, 2006).