Global warming is “the” issue for many environmentalists. Unfortunately the evidence for man made global warming is complex and despite protests to the contrary often disputed as inaccurate. Another problem with global warming as a means to push for environmental change is that many groups are using global warming to promote agendas that are not necessarily related to global warming, by associating global warming with their agendas people are muddying the issue. There are many reasons to break our addiction to fossil fuels that have nothing at all to do with global warming, these should not be overshadowed by the global warming debate.

That fossil fuels emit pollution is not in question. Coal is responsible for Nitrogen Oxides, particulates(sulfates), and mercury pollution among others. Methyl mercury in fish can cause health risks to pregnant women while sulfates can cause acid rain. Gasoline and diesel emit some of the same pollutants as coal and also contribute to smog in cities. The use of fossil fuels as a primary energy source needs to be discouraged in favor of cleaner technologies.

The amount of fossil fuels available world wide is finite. Eventually we will run out of these limited resources. It is better to conserve these resources for their use in fertilizer, plastics, and other chemical uses than it is to simply burn it up as fuel. As we approach peak production of these resources they will become more expensive and become a drag on the global economy if we do not find a way to reduce our demand.

Research into renewable energy resources is far more likely to yield scientific dividends in the way of new discoveries than the refinement of oil based products. Solar power is driving materials science and chemistry research to new heights. Research into silicon refinement will undoubtedly yield benefits that will carry over into the electronics industry that uses the same silicon wafers. Wind power is driving the increased usage of carbon fiber composites. These composites and the experience gained in their use is finding its way into other industries such as the aviation and automobile industries. While studying geothermal energy production scientists are finding out more about geology and in some cases the causes of earthquakes. Fusion research is helping fill in gaps in our basic understanding of atomic science. Battery research is already providing benefits to everyone, in longer battery life for laptops and other electronics.

The internal combustion engine is one of the most inefficient means of propulsion, at best getting between 20% and 37% efficiency depending on it's operation. Electric motors can be anywhere from 70-90% efficient. Electric motors are not the only alternative to the ICE(internal combustion engine), other alternatives include: compressed air engines, Stirling engine, and hybrid systems using two or means of propulsion and regeneration. By eliminating the internal combustion engine one of the largest sources of pollution would be removed and the efficiency gains would be huge.

Terrorism, the bogyman of our age, is funded in large part by oil and gas money from oil rich countries in the middle east. By pushing for renewable energy technologies demand for oil can be driven down to such a level that the price of oil will fall like a rock. Leaders in the middle east have been so afraid of this in the past that they have attempted to influence governments to discourage the use of alternative fuels. Without the easy money from oil, governments in the middle east will have to build real economies that require an educated populace, higher eduction will be a great tool against terrorism.

Many reasons exist to end our dependence on fossil fuels. Few of those reasons are as complex to explain nor as distant to ordinary individuals as global warming.