Will humans move towards renewable energies for the sake of the life of the planet and the fight against global climate change and the importance of humans for the environment and human survival? What will happen to the position of fossil and nuclear energies? Why should humans avoid fossil fuels such as oil and gas, etc., and should they no longer use oil and its derivatives for the sake of the Earth's atmosphere and the life of humans and their creatures?
Jorge Morales Pedraza added a reply:
July 17
Many countries, industries, and individuals are accelerating their transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and hydrogen, among others. Why?
- Climate urgency: The increasing frequency of extreme weather events has made climate change impossible to ignore.
- Tech innovation: Solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicles are becoming more affordable and efficient.
- Policy support: International agreements, such as the Paris Climate Accord, encourage nations to reduce carbon emissions.
- Public demand: Younger generations are raising their voices for climate action and influencing politics and markets.
Challenges Remain
Still, it's not a smooth ride. Obstacles include:
- Fossil fuel dependency: Many economies still heavily rely on oil, coal, and natural gas.
- Energy inequality: Not all regions can afford or easily access renewable energy.
- Political will: Some governments and corporations resist rapid change due to vested interests and huge resources already invested in fossil fuel sources.
Transitioning to renewables isn't just about protecting nature—it's about securing the long-term survival of human civilization. The reasons are the following:
- Clean energy reduces air pollution, benefiting health.
- Sustainable practices preserve biodiversity.
- A stable climate supports food security, access to water, and economic resilience.
In essence, this transition isn't optional—it's existential. The real question may not be if, but when, depending on the available resources to finance this energy transition. And the faster that "when" arrives, the better the odds for a livable future.
Jacob Dut Chol Riak added a reply
July 18
Well, humans will not completely abandon fossil fuels. The transition and consolidation of renewable energies will happen at each country and human pace. It is ridiculous to imagine that all humans will completely leave fossil fuels for renewables. While the trajectory and signposting is to renewables, drill sweetheart, drill sweetheart will continue in earnest.
Michele Lustrino added a reply
July 21
Planet Earth does not care what we are doing. It surived to much worse catastrophes. It is a matter of our species, not a problem of the survival of the Earth or simply the life on Earth.
What we are doing right now is a problem for ourselves, not for the Earth. Few tens thousands of years and everything will be fixed by the Earth and nobody will remind our species. ~250 years after the industrial revolution, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere changed from 0.03 to 0.04 mass%. Not such a disaster as what is reported by IPCC. In the geological past CO2 concentrations reached up to 0.7 mass% and life was quite confortable for other species. Yes, you can say that about 50% of the emitted CO2 has been sequestered in the sea and in the subaerial plants, but it does not change too much the story.
We have to move to alternative energy sources simply because in a near future (say 50-200 years) fossil fuels will be exhausted.
Much more important than energy is the problem of the physical limits of our planet. We cannot think to continue to have the Western lifestyles not taking into consideration the depletion of metals. That is the real problem. We are reducing year by year the grade of our mines. Continuing in this way we will reach the thermodynamic end of our civilization (which does not mean death of every sign of life, of course, due to the external Solar energy source).
Владимир Игоревич Данилов added a reply
11 hours ago
To answer all your questions, you need to have at least a basic understanding of how the world works, including our planet. You can learn a lot about this on my page.
Oil is also a renewable resource
Michele Lustrino added a reply
9 hours ago
@Владимир Игоревич Данилов: On what planet do you live?
Владимир Игоревич Данилов added a reply
9 hours ago
I'm on the same page as you, but I'm looking at it from a different perspective, and it makes a lot of sense.
Владимир Игоревич Данилов added a reply
9 hours ago
I'm on the same planet as you, but I see it differently, and it makes a lot of sense.
Jacob Dut Chol Riak added a reply
7 hours ago
You nail Jorge!
According to www.un.org and ourworlddata.org, humanity stands at a crossroads: continuing to burn fossil fuels threatens the stability of the climate system, imperils biodiversity, and undermines human health and livelihoods.
Drivers of the Renewable Transition
- Declining costs: Solar electricity costs fell by 85% between 2010 and 2020, onshore wind by 56%, and offshore wind by 48%, making renewables the cheapest option in most regions.
- Environmental benefits: Replacing coal and gas reduces air pollution responsible for millions of premature deaths and trillions in health costs each year.
- Energy security and resilience: Local renewable resources cut dependence on imported fuels and buffer against volatile global markets.
- Economic opportunities: Every dollar invested in renewables generates three times more jobs than the same investment in fossil fuels, with a net gain of 9 million jobs projected by 2030.
Current Progress and Projections
Globally, renewables supplied approximately 29% of electricity in 2022 and around 14% of primary energy consumption. By 2030, renewables could provide 65% of electricity and decarbonize 90% of the power sector if current investment trajectories hold.
Barriers to a Complete Shift
- Infrastructure and grid integration: Upgrading grids to handle variable output and managing transmission bottlenecks.
- Energy storage and balancing: Ensuring reliability through batteries, pumped hydro, and demand-side management.
- Policy and finance gaps: Aligning subsidies, carbon pricing, and investment frameworks to favor low-carbon technologies.
- Social and ecological trade-offs: Managing land use, community engagement, and biodiversity impacts of large-scale projects.
Outlook: A Balancing Act
Momentum is undeniable—technologies are mature, costs are plunging, and policy frameworks are evolving. However, a full transition demands coordinated global action on multiple fronts: accelerating infrastructure upgrades, deepening international finance, innovating storage and grid management, and ensuring a just, equitable shift for communities. By integrating renewables across all sectors—electricity, transport, industry, and heating—humans can steer the planet away from catastrophic warming and safeguard both natural systems and our very survival.
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