Essay Petroleum and Fossil Fuels

The increased emphasis on biofuels is due primarily to the increasing cost and demand for liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel, and our desire to be less dependent on foreign oil. In addition to increased demand, the higher cost of petroleum may be related to the peak oil theory, discussed in the essay on petroleum and fossil fuels. According to this theory, the amount of petroleum in the earth is finite and at some point, the total amount of petroleum produced each year will begin to decrease. Many experts believe that we have either already reached the peak in oil production, or we will reach it within a few years. 

We have included a new essay "Biofuels." Substantial revisions were made to the "Petroleum and Fossil Fuels" essay and "The Chemistry of Sweeteners" essay. Other essays have been updated as well. 

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