Since the beginning of the industrial era in the early 1800s, fossil fuels have powered our growth. In 2023, about 82% of the world’s total energy consumption came from fossil fuels, according to the Energy Institute. This heavy reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas raises serious environmental concerns, especially regarding climate change.
The emissions from burning these fuels contribute significantly to greenhouse gases. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that human activities release about 60 to 100 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) annually. This level of pollution is a major driver of the current climate crisis, leading many scientists to warn that our continued fossil fuel use could drastically reshape our civilization and harm biodiversity.
Despite numerous studies highlighting this issue, viable alternatives to fossil fuels remain elusive. A piece I wrote for the Institution of Civil Engineers back in 2018 emphasized that we will only move past fossil fuels when we develop practical, cost-effective renewable energy options. Fast forward to today, and the situation is still urgent, as we lack scalable alternatives that can significantly reduce CO2e emissions.
Fossil fuels vary substantially in their environmental impact. The breakdown of fossil fuel consumption indicates that approximately 32% is oil, 27% is coal, and 23% is natural gas. While coal and oil primarily emit CO2 when burned, natural gas is predominantly methane, which poses its own challenges. Methane is highly effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere—about 120 times more than CO2 in the first year after release. This potency diminishes over time, but for the first two decades, it still poses a significant threat.
Governments and industries are currently working on carbon capture technologies to tackle emissions. These systems aim to trap CO2 before it enters the atmosphere. However, most efforts to capture emissions so far have seen limited success. Currently, around 45 operational projects globally capture just 0.06 gigatonnes of CO2 per year. With the rise of new projects, this could increase to approximately 0.435 gigatonnes per year by 2030, but this still falls short of the massive reductions needed.
The challenges are compounded by the fact that the fossil fuel life cycle—from extraction to consumption—releases emissions at each stage. Even if we improve carbon capture, the comprehensive nature of this issue means we need breakthroughs across many areas of technology. The International Energy Agency warns that significant research and development are necessary to meet net-zero emissions goals.
There’s a growing call for investments aimed at decarbonizing our energy systems. Estimates suggest we need to spend trillions annually to combat greenhouse gas emissions effectively. While hope rests on promising new technologies, the pressing need for progress is clearer than ever. Without substantial change, our environment and climate will continue to suffer.
Awareness and conversations around these issues are more crucial than ever. Users on social media are increasingly voicing their concerns, advocating for cleaner energy, and calling for accountability from governments and industries. As we navigate this complex path, the importance of finding workable solutions to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels can’t be overstated.
Stan Ridley, C.Eng., is the president of West 2012 Energy Management in Vancouver and has been involved in UN discussions on methane and energy transitions.
This heightened sense of urgency often translates to calls for enhanced efforts in developing both carbon capture technologies and renewable energy sources. The collective effort of industries, governments, and individuals may ultimately determine the health of our planet for generations to come.
Check out this related article: Green Umbrella’s $500K Federal Grant for Environmental Justice Evaporates: What It Means for Community Initiatives
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