Definitions

CO₂: Carbon Dioxide: The molecule released by the burning of fossil fuels; a greenhouse gas that contributes to the warming of Earth

Coal: Organic decayed matter compressed into a rock-like substance

Climate change: Change in the average conditions of Earth-inculding, but not limited to, increase in severe weather, droughts, floods, rising sea levels, Earth's warming

Decomposition: Breakdown of organic matter

Energy: The capacity for doing work

Fossil Fuels: Fuels that come from past living organisms created by geological events over time

Fuel: Materials (such as coal, wood, gas, oil, etc) that is burned to produce heat or power

Impermeable: A material that liquid can NOT pass through

Kerogen: Solid material trapped in rocks that will become petroleum (oil)

Natural Gas: Organic decayed matter in the form of a gas

Petroleum (Oil): Organic decayed matter in the form of sticky black fluid

Pollution/Pollutants: Introducing harmful substances into the environment