Fuel for Thought: The High Cost of Fossil Fuel Dependence
Almost ninety-five percent of all energy consumption in the global transport sector in 2021 came from fossil fuels, while fossil fuel consumption subsidies soared to over one trillion dollars in 2022 for the first time, with demand for crude oil projected to reach 103 million barrels per day for 2024.
Eighty two percent of global energy consumption comes from fossil fuel, with 60 percent of electricity generated emerging from the same source, coal accounting for roughly 35.5 percent of the global power mix, natural gas following with a 23 percent share, the United States, China, and India responsible for the biggest portion of coal deployed for the generation of electricity.
Five to eight percent of total greenhouse gas emissions emerged from cement production, arising from the reliance on fossil fuels, with around 0.5 to 0.9 kilograms of carbon dioxide manufactured for every one kilogram of cement produced.
The situation with gasoline, electricity, and cement also pertains with sectors related to building homes, agriculture, irrigation, and other areas, as fossil fuels over the years occupy a leading position as the world's primary source of energy, playing a huge role in the economy of nations.
The widespread use of fossil fuels affects lifestyle of people in many nations, with the number of cars standing at 1.475 billion last year, above one car for every 5.5 humans, or 182.2 per 1,000 humans, an increase of 25 million in total compared to May 2023, 75 million cars sold across the world in 2023, around six percent more than in 2022.
The massive use of electricity also influenced the use of power by billions of people, with global electricity showing an increase of 2.6 percent in 2023, in line with the 2010-2019 average, nations such as China and India increasing their power generation by 6.9 percent each, with others such as Brazil accelerating power generation
The persistent demand for cement to meet the needs of a modern lifestyle is an ever-growing one, with experts predicting a 12-23 percent growth in cement production by 2050, when experts say that close to 68 percent of the world's population may live in urban areas, thereby needing cement for housing.
The situation with cars, power generation, cement production, and others shows an addiction to fossil fuels, as nations utilize them in the economy in ever-increasing ways, deploying them for space heating in buildings, engaging them for the manufacture of fertilizer and pesticides, using them for airplanes and industrial equipment as lubricants.
By 2050, three billion light-duty vehicles could be on the road globally, an increase of about one billion from the number today, with 50 percent of the vehicles powered by fossil fuels, the rest by battery, all propelled by consumption and other selfish factors.
By 2030, more than 21,000 new aircraft may be delivered, making the global fleet to stand at around 40,000, the increase at a compound annual growth rate of 3.4 percent, while in twenty-five's time, around 10 billion passengers may fly each year, covering a distance of 22 trillion revenue passenger kilometers
By 2031, a 10.13 percent increase could take place in the world's fast-fashion market, with the valuation rising from USD 134642.18 million today to USD 291357.54 million, and experts saying fast fashion could use more than 26 percent of the world's carbon budget by 2050.
In essence, present-day consumption, if not controlled, may entail a widespread use of fossil fuel in the near future, with the rising number of cars, airplanes, clothes, plastics, and others putting pressure on the environment, worsening the climate crisis.
The use of public transport, electric cars, and energy-efficient appliances, along with technical innovations, could reduce the addition of fossil fuels, which could prove dangerous on the climate front in the long run, especially if consumption continues to be unchecked.
What to Eat
Vegan food from India, Credit, Rainbow Plantlife