Abstract
This study discusses the Pre-Cambrian Period, roughly some two billion years ago, and in particular, fossils that have been found from that time period. The paper discusses three types of fossils that have been left behind -- body, trace and chemical and that these can be readily found within rocks formed during the Archaean and Proterozoic Periods.

From the Paper
"During this time, a number of life forms emerged and left behind three types of fossils--body, trace and chemical, which can be readily found within rocks formed during the Archaean and Proterozoic Periods. Some of these fossils are actual cellular remains, something which Donovan admits is extremely rare in rocks of this age. The oldest have been dated as about 3.5 billion years and can be found in cherts from the Warrawoona Group near the North Pole, being northwest of Australia, and in the Onverwacht Group in eastern Transvaal (South Africa)."

Tags:Archaean, Proterozoic, paleontology

Abstract
This paper examines how both carbon-14 and uranium-238 are used to date fossils and how both methods are based on measuring the decay that has occurred in these elements. It looks at how carbon-14 dating is used for organic material, plants and animals, while uranium-238 is used primarily for geographic formations. It also discusses how both methods of dating are subject to potential sample contamination and, therefore, inaccurate readings; the addition of foreign material in both types of samples can provide either younger or older results, dependent on the material.

From the Paper
"Radioactive elements decay at unique rates, dependant on the isotope. This rate of decay is known as half-lives, it is the time necessary for of the atoms to decay in a particular element. The decay follows a geometric scale, in that in the first half-life of an element, of the atoms decay, yet in the second half-life, of those remaining decay, meaning a of the original atoms decay, and so forth. By measuring this decay, and knowing the half life of an element, scientists can date a sample."

Tags:isotope, atoms, half, life, decay, chronometric

Abstract
The writer asserts that the history of life goes back to nearly 4,000 million years, Earth was formed approximately 4,540 million years ago, planet Earth was formed after a collision that formed the moon an estimated 40 million years before and it is believed that the Moon and Earth cooled fast enough to form oceans and atmosphere. The writer believes that the Moon's atmosphere could not sustain itself as a biosphere, but the Earth was able to ("The Origin of Species According To The Fossil Records", n.d.; Broad and Schidlovsky, 1997, p. 31).

From the Paper
"The history of life goes back to nearly 4,000 million years. Earth was formed approximately 4,540 million years ago. Planet Earth was formed after a collision that formed the moon an estimated 40 million years before. It is believed that the Moon and Earth cooled fast enough to form oceans and atmosphere. The Moon' atmosphere could not sustain itself as a biosphere, but the Earth was able to ("The Origin of Species According To The Fossil Records", n.d.; Broad and Schidlovsky, 1997, p. 31). It is believed that even the simplest organisms could not have derived from non-living materials. The physiology of the simplest life forms is..."

Tags:living, fossils, extinction

Abstract
This paper presents a detailed look at the group of fossils in a certain are of the Grand Canyon in the United States. The paper concentrates on the paleontology of these fossils and their uniqueness.

From the Paper
"The Grand Canyon Supergroup is a thick sequence of Precambrian strata located in-between overlying Paleozoic rocks and underlying crystalline rocks. This Supergroup is comprised mainly by the Nankoweap Formation and the Chuar Group that include three sub-formations and seven members. These formations, groups, and members still puzzle many geologists and paleontologists for their is no conclusive evidence regarding the Supergroup's formation as well as classifying some of the fossils found there. The 2100 meters of the Grand Canyon Supergroup is still undergoing extensive research and will until all the mysteries surrounding it are solved."

Tags:canyon, grand, paleontology, Cambrian, fossils, Arizona, Colorado

Abstract
This paper argues that the increasing rate of obesity impacts the overall fuel consumption of the United States. First, the paper notes the unpleasant fact that Americans lead entirely too sedentary existences as a whole. Then the paper considers an older study that does an exceptional job of highlighting how Americans could save themselves money, save America money, and could reduce the wanton consumption of fossil fuels if they would only get their waistlines down to optimal levels.

From the Paper
"This paper will argue that the increasing rate of obesity impacts the overall fuel consumption of the United States. The paper will begin by looking at the unpleasant fact that Americans lead entirely too sedentary existences as a whole - a general trend that, if reversed, could literally chop hundreds of billions of dollars off of national medical expenditures. The paper will then look at an older study that does an exceptional job of highlighting how Americans could save themselves money, save America money, and could reduce the wanton consumption of fossil fuels - if they would only get their waistlines down to optimal levels. The chief purpose..."

Tags:fossil, consumption, fuel

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at resource management's conflict and uncertainty as solvable problems referring to the examples of fossil fuel management and water management. The writer discusses researchers having noted not just problems but prognoses for the future that could create a stronger federal program towards preventing environmental doom, present or future.

From the Paper
"Derrek Eberts states that few environmental and resource problems do not have implications beyond national borders. This is important with regard to Canadian resource management in a day of neo-liberal economics and globalization to create different conflicts and uncertainty. Canadian waters are threatened by pollution originating in and beyond Canada and are a resource that the United States see as a mere commodity."

Tags:water, fossil, fuel

Abstract
This paper devotes time to explaining what fossil fuels are, their history and their uses. Specifically, the paper brings to light two major problems with the continued use of fossil fuels; the peak oil theory that contends that oil depletion has begun and the fact that the burning of fossil fuels cause greenhouse gasses associated with global warming. The paper also looks at fossil fuel alternatives and conservation programs worldwide and in the United States and emphasizes the importance of fossil fuel reduction for our future.

Outline:
Introduction
The Science Behind Fossil Fuels: What Are They
The Science Behind Fossil Fuels: Their History
Fossil Fuels' Uses
Controversy and Concern: Peak Oil and Greenhouse Gasses
Fossil Fuel Alternatives and Conservation Programs: Worldwide
Fossil Fuel Alternative and Conservation Programs: The United States
Conclusion

From the Paper
"As fuel prices continue to rise across the world and effects of global warming are already being observed in some degree, the public's need to know about fossil fuels is greater than ever. Most understand that the fuels are non-renewable resources produced during the years of the dinosaurs, but most do not understand the exact debt of their usage and the profound importance of their discontinuation. Fossil fuels were created in a manner so unique that it would be nearly impossible to recreate today. Because they have been around for millions of years, however, people have been using fossil fuels for quite some time, in spite of the fact they are a non-renewable resource. While the use of fossil fuels have a long history, two major problems with the continued use of the fuels exist."

Tags:peak, oil, theory, global, warming, greenhouse, gasses, alternative, fuels

Abstract
Fossil fuels are heavily relied upon by the U.S. for energy needs. The three most common forms of fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. This paper argues that, although fossil fuels are a major source of energy, newer and cleaner forms of energy such as wind, solar, and water are needed if we are to stop the damage being done to the environment and further strengthen the United States' energy security. The paper describes the types of alternative fuels that can be harnessed and how we benefit by using them as well as looks at the problems created by continued dependence on fossil fuels. The paper concludes that by making a strong effort made toward advancing the technologies for developing alternative fuels, lessening fossil fuel use and strengthening US energy security is a very attainable goal.

From the Paper
"Currently the most viable of all alternative, renewable energy sources is hydropower. Hydropower is the process of harnessing the flow of water to produce electricity, better known as hydroelectricity. Just like concentrating solar power plants, hydroelectricity power plants turn turbines to generate electricity; the difference is instead of using steam to turn the turbines, falling water is used to turn them (U.S. Geological Survey, 2008). In this process a dam is built on a large river with a large drop in elevation to store the water, providing a mass of potential energy. When electricity is needed the dam releases the water through a passageway, which flows downward, turning a turbine connected to a generator as it flows to an intake river (Childress, 2009). "

Tags:hydropower, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectricity

Abstract
The paper looks at the history of fossil fuels and describes how fossil fuels are used today in the areas of transportation, industry, electricity, plastics and the way people labor. The paper considers their environmental implications and argues that the world needs to develop alternative solutions to fossil fuels today. This paper includes a table.

Outline:
Introduction
History
Transportation
Industry
Electricity
Plastics
Labor
The Environmental Implications
Alternative Solutions
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Fossil fuels have had an incredible impact on transportation around the world. The first trains were powered by steam created by burning coal (or sometimes wood), and later, oil and its derivative gasoline would power engines in cars, buses, trucks, ships, and just about every type of transportation vehicle invented. American society has developed into a very mobile and moving society as a result of the many transportation options available today, and almost all of them are powered by fossil fuels. For example, at the end of World War II, most Americans had never traveled on a plane, moved across country, or traveled on an Interstate highway. Today, people all around the world take those things for granted, and are much more mobile and willing to travel great distances."

Tags:global, warming, transportation, industry, electricity, plastics

Abstract
This paper discusses America's ever-increasing consumption of oil and the depletion of fossil fuels, oil, coal and natural gas. The paper presents a resource sustainability plan to aid in the problem of depleting fossil fuels. The paper also discusses the necessity for a plan to reduce the problem of depleting fossil fuels and how such a plan can be implemented. A table of action steps to implement the plan is included in the paper.

From the Paper
"The exhaustion of our environment's coal, oil and natural gas resources is a horrifying but inevitable event if we do not change our current way of life. Wind power, hydropower, solar power and biomass fermentation are only some of the alternative fuel sources available to us and the government's researchers are finding other sources every day. After the initial cost of converting to the use of alternative fuel sources the cost is virtually non-existent. Wind, flowing water, the sun's rays are all freely offered from our environment. We simply need to take the initial step towards a change and the benefits will be endless."

Tags:toxins, energy, oil, coal