An illustrative fact shows that humanity consumes in a year what nature takes a million years to produce. Fossil fuel reserves are not unlimited; they are consumed far faster than they form. If the current rate continues, estimates from the United Nations indicate that oil reserves could be depleted within about a century.
Change in the greenhouse effect: global warming
The greenhouse effect refers to the atmosphere’s ability to trap heat from the sun. Gases in the air are transparent to solar radiation but trap infrared heat radiated by the Earth, keeping the planet warmer than it would be otherwise. Without this natural process, the global average would be far colder, around minus 18 degrees Celsius.
Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Burning fossil fuels releases more carbon dioxide, and its concentration has risen significantly since the early 20th century, driving higher temperatures and the climate changes seen today.
Impact on public health and mortality
Emissions from fossil fuels contribute to air pollution that harms people worldwide each year. Recent UN assessments indicate that atmospheric pollution in cities leads to premature deaths, with millions lost annually—numbers comparable to, and in some estimates surpassing, the impact of recent pandemics.
Acid rain
Burning fossil fuels releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which then react in the atmosphere to form acids that fall as rain. This acid rain lowers water pH, harms vegetation, accelerates soil and water pollution, and corrodes buildings, metal structures, and vehicles.
War, conflicts, and social tensions
The concentration of fossil fuels in specific regions means that control over these resources can ignite conflicts and tensions. The struggle to access energy sources is a recurring theme in international news and has driven several periods of instability and war in recent decades.
Social inequality
A stark reality is that a sizable portion of the world’s population uses a small share of total energy produced by fossil fuels. Roughly a quarter of the population consumes about three quarters of primary energy, highlighting unequal access to gas and oil and fueling social friction and conflict. This foregrounds the need for broad energy reform and more equitable distribution of energy resources.
Against this backdrop, the question arises: are there viable alternatives? The answer lies in renewable energy sources that rely on natural, non-fossil resources.
Alternatives: clean energies
In light of these issues, shifting to clean electricity for transport and domestic use offers several advantages:
Elimination of local air pollution from vehicles by reducing direct emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen and sulfur oxides, which contribute to cardio-respiratory problems.
Noise reduction: Electric vehicles typically produce less noise than combustion engines, especially in urban settings.
Lower CO2 emissions: Electricity generated from renewable sources lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Reducing external dependence: Wind, solar, hydro, biogas and other renewable sources are abundant and widespread. They are not confined to a single country and support energy independence. As universal energy resources, they also promote greater social equality in energy access.
— In today’s context, diversifying energy supplies helps avoid politically sensitive dependencies and supports more stable energy futures for communities across North America.