Biofuels and bioenergy are as old as civilization itself. Solid biofuels, such as wood, animal waste, and charcoal have been used since man discovered fire, and they are still used today for cooking and heating in many communities and in developing countries.
Liquid biofuels such as olive oil and whale oil have been used in the ancient past. From the mid 1700s to the early 1800s, whale oil was extensively used and was the fuel of choice for lighting houses. In this time period, whaling was a big business and whale populations greatly decline. Consequently, the price of whale oil went up and people were driven to use cheaper, fossil fuel-based kerosene in the mid 1800s. So, in a way, fossil fuels helped save the lives of the
Liquid biofuels such as olive oil and whale oil have been used in the ancient past. From the mid 1700s to the early 1800s, whale oil was extensively used and was the fuel of choice for lighting houses. In this time period, whaling was a big business and whale populations greatly decline. Consequently, the price of whale oil went up and people were driven to use cheaper, fossil fuel-based kerosene in the mid 1800s. So, in a way, fossil fuels helped save the lives of the