The reading examined the transition from biomass to coal and finally to liquid fuel. The biomass era relied heavily on coal, wood, and crop residues for fuel. Unlike biomass fuel, the coal era introduced more efficient fuels and this eventually led to the invention of the first mechanical engines. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Our dependence on fuel has been for various reasons. We need fuel for agriculture, for transportation and to cool our homes during the cold season. With the introduction of crude oil replacing coal in many places, modern life and industrialization have been steadily shaped and accelerated by crude oil and other components derived from it. Crude oil has not only increased productivity but has also been able to accelerate globalization. The extraction of crude oil is very important because it has changed the economic fortunes of many countries. Countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others have become rich only through the extraction and sale of crude oil. While we are immersed in the euphoria of what the discovery of crude oil has brought us in terms of development and foreign exchange, it is also important to look at the other side of this blessing. The environmental consequences of crude oil extraction appear to be more severe than its blessings. Marine oil pollution, photochemical smog, anthropogenic greenhouse gases, and economic and political instabilities are some of the repercussions of crude oil extraction. I think the author was very articulate in his points. Crude oil extraction has brought fortune and happiness to the world, but this comes at the cost of environmental degradation. The Alaskan oil spill mentioned in the reading made me think about the Ogoni oil spill in southwestern Nigeria. The oil spill destroyed almost all marine life in that particular region and rendered people jobless due to loss of livelihood. When the Ogoni people think about crude oil, I think they will see it more as a curse than a blessing because of the environmental damage it has inflicted on them. While oil is capable of starting engines and moving heavy machinery, it is also capable of destroying people's livelihoods and posing an existential threat to marine creatures. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay Political instabilities in countries like South Sudan and Libya have been linked to the extraction and sale of crude oil that has enriched only a portion of the population while leaving the majority poor. The evolution of fuel has occurred at a very rapid pace, from wood, to coal and to liquid fuel. I think we need to put the environmental impact of liquefied fuel into perspective as this would guide us to find alternative means of powering our cars without destroying our environment. With better investment and research into renewable energy such as solar and wind, the world may be able to save the planet from further environmental damage and preserve the environment for generations yet unborn..