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Energy is simply the ability to do work. Work equals the force applied to a material object times the distance that the material object is moved. Without energy, life could not exist. One of the primary concerns of nations is to ensure that its citizens have ready access to the energy they need, whether energy is taken from food, heat, power, electricity, or fuel. Technology is continuously increasing, and therefore consumption of energy is increasing. Today the world uses 70 times as much energy as it did in 1865. A majority of this use occurs in the more technologically developed countries, however, every person on earth consumes large amounts of energy every day. This enormous energy consumption could possibly be the root of most environmental problems. The use of fossil fuels is the major source of air pollution, acid rain, and greenhouse gases. This is why we are constantly searching for alternative energy sources. |