Hiilisekä

Hiilisekä is a Finnish term that translates to "fossil fuel" in English. It refers to fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years. These fuels are a major source of energy globally, powering transportation, industry, and electricity generation.

The formation of hiilisekä begins with the accumulation of organic matter, typically from plants and animals, in environments with low oxygen, such as swamps or ocean floors. Over geological time, these organic deposits are buried under layers of sediment. The immense pressure and heat from this burial transform the organic matter into coal, petroleum, or natural gas.

The combustion of hiilisekä releases energy, but it also produces greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change. This environmental impact has led to increasing efforts worldwide to reduce reliance on hiilisekä and transition to renewable energy sources. Despite the environmental concerns, hiilisekä remains a significant part of the global energy landscape due to its abundance and the infrastructure already in place for its extraction, transportation, and use.