Can We Survive Without Fossil Fuels?

With the emergence of the topic “global climate change,” human society has been talking about the greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, and how they contribute to global warming, paving the way to global climate change.

It`s a fact that excessive emission of greenhouse gases causes an increase in the greenhouse effect more than its healthy level. Burning fossil fuels for various reasons cause excessive emissions.

To avoid the emission of greenhouse gases, the global community has been trying to avoid burning fossil fuels and achieve the net zero target for carbon emissions by 2050.

However, there is a belief in society that humanity can`t survive without burning fossil fuels. One such claim is mentioned below.

We decided to investigate the issue….

Below is our investigation of it.

How fossil fuels are created

Fossil fuels are created from decomposing plants and animals. These fuels are found in the Earth’s crust and contain carbon and hydrogen, which can be burned for energy. Coal, oil, and natural gas are significant types of fossil fuels. Coal is usually found in sedimentary rock deposits where rocks are piled in layers with dead plant and animal matter. In a piece of coal, more than 50% of the weight is due to fossilized plants. Oil is initially found as a solid material between sedimentary rock layers, like shale. This material is heated to produce the thick oil used to make gasoline. Natural gas is usually found in pockets above oil deposits. It can also be found in sedimentary rock layers that don’t contain oil. Natural gas is primarily made up of methane. Many details about this can be found here, Archived.

After millions of years left underground, the materials that makeup plankton and plants turn into fossil fuels. Plankton transforms into natural gas and oil, while plants become coal. Humans extract these resources through coal mining and the drilling of oil and gas wells on land and offshore. Details about this can be taken here, Archived.

Fossil Fuels are not renewable energy sources.

It`s a fact that fossil fuels are not a renewable energy source. When current deposits of fossil fuel end, it will take another million years to create a new layer of fossil fuel. Various scientists and research organizations suggest different time frames for fossil fuel deposits to run out on the earth.

Availability of Fossil Fuels in the Future.

According to the predictions of Earthbuddies web,

Oil will end by 2052   – 30 years

Gas will end by 2060 – 40 years

Coal will last till 2090 –   70 years

Many details about this can be found here. Archived.

Time to shift to alternative energy sources

Although this is only a single prediction based on scientific data, many different forecasts and time frame about the issue exist. But one thing is clear; fossil fuels will run out in the future. Humankind will have to shift to alternative energy sources.

Fossil fuel consumption by our ancestors

From early civilizations to the mid of 19^th century, fossil fuels were not the primary energy source.  The only fossil fuel extracted was taken from the Earth’s surface, which did not require deep drilling. The ancestors did not abuse energy, although it was abundantly available.

History of fossil fuel usage

Fossil Fuels are undoubtedly the primary source of energy today. The massive usage of fossil fuels started with the industrial revolution, which happened centuries ago. Edwin Drake drilled the first modern commercial oil well in 1859.  Kerosene oil was the main component extracted from crude oil at the time. A few decades later, after the invention of the automobile, petroleum oils like petrol and diesel was extracted from crude oil. With the development of modern technology, fossil fuels have become a primary energy source. Hence, as life became complex with advanced technology, people started exploiting its resources, including fossil fuels. However, fossil fuels are not necessary for the survival of humankind. Further details about the history of fossil fuel usage can be read here. Archived.

Fossil Fuel is used to generate renewable energy.

Although it`s widely known that manufacturing the process of wind power plants` turbines, fans, components of nuclear power plants, and parts of electric vehicles utilize the burning of fossil fuels. The energy created from renewable sources can also be used for all these manufacturing processes, proving that fossil fuels are not a dire necessity.

Can we live without fossil fuels?

The direct answer is yes. Before the industrial revolution a few centuries ago, people lived without consuming fossil fuels as their primary energy source.

But modern machines and equipment need much energy. According to a statistical analysis of the world’s energy consumption, 82% is still being supplied by fossil fuels. However, the percentage has gradually decreased annually. Five years ago, the number was 85%, while renewable energy accounted for 13%. The full BP report can be read here.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) statistics, 29% of the energy used for electricity generation comes from renewable sources. More details can be found here. Archived.

Shifting to 100% renewable energy is not just a dream. According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA),90% of the world’s energy supply can be provided via renewable sources. IRENA`s press release can be read here. Archived.

According to the UN, there are several reasons why we should convert to renewable energy sources.

1. Renewable energy sources are familiar, and those can be found around all of us
2. Renewable energy is cheaper
3. Renewable energy is healthier
4. It provides and creates more job opportunities
5. Renewable energy makes sense economically

The UN’s view on renewable energy and the world’s supply can be read here. Archived

Limitless green energy is possible if the world’s governments have friendly policies over renewable energy. The lack of policies is the primary buffer for implementing green energy plans rather than technical and financial difficulties. The related article can be reached here. Archived.

Some countries depend 100% on renewable energy sources for electricity generation. Some examples are Norway, Iceland, Costa Rica, etc. More details about it can be read here. Archived.

Can you imagine a world without fossil fuels for energy supply?

Even if fossil fuels are eradicated from the world’s energy supply, the usage of fossil fuels derivatives for material production will continue in the future too. The related article can be read here. Archived.

Conclusion

According to our investigation, it`s clear that fossil fuel consumption can be reduced by 100% for energy generation; it can be achieved by using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Transition to renewable sources is economically viable and technically possible if countries have proper energy-related policies.