Coal and Petroleum are the natural resources which are important “source of energy” For us. Coal is used as a fuel as such in homes and in industry, or it used to generate electricity at thermal Power Plants. Petroleum products such as petrol and diesel are used as fuel in transport to run scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, trains, ships, and aeroplanes. Kerosene and LPG obtained from petroleum are used as domestic fuels for cooking food, etc. Since the industrial revolution, we have using increasing amounts of energy to meet our basic needs and for the manufacture of goods upon which our life depends. All this energy needs have so far been meet mostly by coal and petroleum reserves of the earth.

Coal is used mainly to produce electricity. So, if we can save electricity, then the consumption of coal will be automatically reduced. Similarly, the petroleum products kerosene and LPG are used for cooking food, and petrol and diesel are used as fuel in motor vehicles, so if we can save on kerosene, LPG, petrol and diesel then consumption of petroleum will also get reduced.

Some of the steps which can be taken to conserve energy resources are as follows:

1. Switch off the light, fans, television and other electricity appliances when not needed. This will save a lot of electricity.
2. Pressure cookers should be used for cooking food to save fuels like kerosene and LPG.
3. The use of biogas as domestic fuel should be encouraged in rural areas.
4. Use energy efficient electrical appliances to save electricity. This can be done by using Compact Fluorescent Lamps and fluorescent tube lights instead of traditional filaments type electric bulbs.
5. Good quality stoves should be used to burn fuels like kerosene and cooking gas so as to obtain maximum heat.
6. Fuel efficient engines of motor vehicles should be designed to reduce the consumption of petrol and diesel.
7. Public transport system in the cities should be improved so that people do not commute in their personal vehicles. This will save a lot petrol and diesel.
8. Bicycles should be used for covering short distances to save precious fuel like petrol (which is used cars, scooters and motorcycles).