The burning of fossil fuels is not an example of mass converting into energy as described by Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2. The equation E=mc^2 relates to the conversion of mass into energy in the context of nuclear reactions, specifically involving the annihilation of matter and antimatter or the conversion of mass during nuclear fission or fusion processes.
When fossil fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas are burned, the chemical energy stored in these substances is released as heat and light energy. This process involves the breaking of chemical bonds within the fuel molecules, resulting in the release of energy. However, the mass of the fuel remains relatively unchanged during the combustion process. The energy released comes from the rearrangement of the atoms and the chemical reactions involved, rather than the direct conversion of mass into energy according to E=mc^2.
It's important to note that while the burning of fossil fuels does release energy, it also has negative environmental impacts, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which are significant factors in climate change.