Katerina Swanson
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production, with about 60% of electricity generation from utility-scale electricity generation facilities coming from fossil fuels. Oil, the most produced form of energy, constitutes about one-third of US energy consumption and is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 45% of US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. Coal, the dominant fuel for global power generation in 2019, is the most polluting energy source, producing the most CO2 and local air pollution per unit of energy. While fossil fuels have dominated the energy landscape, the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is gaining momentum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy production by fossil fuels in 2019 | 81% |
| Percentage of global energy production by fossil fuels in 2020 | 80% |
| Percentage of global energy production by fossil fuels in 2023 | 84% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption by fossil fuels in 2020 | 60% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption by fossil fuels in 2023 | 84% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption by oil in 2020 | 33% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption by coal in 2020 | 19% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by oil in 2020 | 45% |
| Percentage of global electricity production by coal in 2019 | 37% |
| Percentage of global electricity production by renewables in 2019 | 27% |
| Percentage of global electricity production by natural gas in 2019 | 24% |
| Percentage of global electricity production by nuclear in 2019 | 10% |
| Percentage of global electricity production by oil in 2019 | 3% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generation by fossil fuels in 2023 | 60% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generation by nuclear energy in 2023 | 19% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generation by renewable energy in 2020 | 20% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generation by renewable energy in 2023 | 21% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels currently supply 80% of the world's energy
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the world's primary energy source for over 150 years. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for more than 80% of global energy production, with oil being the most produced form of energy at 190 EJ. This dominance has continued into 2023, with fossil fuels accounting for about 84% of total US primary energy production.
The transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption. Oil is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 45% of US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. While coal usage has decreased in the US, it still supplied 19% of US energy consumption in 2020 and remains the dominant fuel for global power generation, reaching 37% of global electricity production in 2019.
Gas is now the second-largest source of electricity production globally, as countries substitute it for coal. This transition is positive from a climate perspective, as gas emits less CO2 per unit of energy. However, the ultimate goal is to shift towards low-carbon sources such as renewables and nuclear energy.
Renewable energy sources are gaining ground, with about 29% of electricity currently coming from these sources. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 90% of the world's electricity can and should come from renewables by 2050. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it is crucial to end our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative, clean energy sources.
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Oil is the largest source of energy-related carbon emissions in the US
Fossil fuels have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. They are formed from the carbon-rich remains of plants and animals that decomposed and were compressed and heated underground millions of years ago. When fossil fuels are burned, the stored carbon and other greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.
In 2022, fossil fuel combustion was responsible for about 74% of total US human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Oil is the largest component of fossil fuels, constituting about one-third of US energy consumption. In 2020, oil combustion accounted for 45% of US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Oil is sourced primarily by pumping it out of underground reservoirs, but it can also be extracted from deposits in shale and tar sands. Once extracted, crude oil is refined into fuel oil, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, and non-fuel products such as pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. The transportation sector, which accounts for most oil consumption, is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions.
The other major fossil fuels, coal and natural gas, are also significant contributors to US energy-related carbon emissions. Coal has long been a critical energy source in global energy production, but it is also the most polluting energy source in terms of CO2 emissions and local air pollution. Coal supplied 19% of US energy consumption in 2020, but its share has been decreasing as the costs of natural gas and renewable energy have dropped. As coal usage has declined in the US, so have carbon dioxide emissions from coal—by 50% from 2007 to 2019. Natural gas, on the other hand, emits less CO2 per unit of energy than coal, and its use is growing in many countries as a substitute for coal. However, natural gas was the highest source of industrial sector CO2 emissions in 2023.
To transition away from fossil fuels, the US can adopt renewable energy sources such as hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy. Nuclear energy is another zero-carbon alternative, but it is expensive and produces long-lasting radioactive waste. Improving energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles, and industrial processes is another immediate and cost-effective way to reduce energy use and emissions.
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Coal is the most polluting energy source
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary energy source for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. In 2020, oil was the largest source of carbon emissions in the US, with natural gas close behind. However, coal is the most polluting energy source.
Coal is a carbon-rich black rock formed deep underground over thousands of years. It releases energy when burned, powering industries such as iron and steel. Coal supplies over one-third of global electricity generation, and in 2020, it supplied 19% of US energy consumption. In the US, about 30% of electricity comes from coal, with the rest coming from natural gas, nuclear, and renewables. Coal is relatively inexpensive to produce and convert to energy, but it has severe environmental impacts.
Coal-fired power plants produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash annually, which can contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies. Mountaintop removal mining, a common practice in the US, involves removing mountain tops with explosives, altering landscapes and harming aquatic wildlife downstream. Additionally, coal ash impoundment ruptures can cause significant environmental damage. Air pollution from coal-fired plants is linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and acid rain.
Several alternatives can help reduce reliance on coal, including hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy. Nuclear energy is another option, but it is expensive and produces radioactive waste. Co-firing sustainable bioenergy or ammonia with coal can also reduce emissions from coal-fired plants. Overall, transitioning to cleaner energy sources and improving energy efficiency are crucial steps towards a more sustainable future.
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Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary energy source for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. In 2023, about 60% of the electricity generated in the United States came from fossil fuels. Oil alone constitutes about one-third of US energy consumption. While coal's share has been decreasing due to the rising popularity of natural gas and renewable energy sources, it still accounted for 19% of US energy consumption in 2020.
The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change, responsible for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. Oil combustion was responsible for 45% of US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2020, with natural gas close behind. The transportation sector, including road vehicles, ships, and planes, accounts for a significant portion of these emissions.
The manufacturing and industrial sectors also contribute to emissions, as machines and processes often rely on fossil fuels. Additionally, the construction industry and the production of cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics, and other goods release greenhouse gases. Agriculture and other land use changes, including deforestation and livestock production, are responsible for roughly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions.
To combat climate change, a transition to renewable energy sources is necessary. Hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy are reliable renewable sources that have been gaining traction. While nuclear energy is a zero-carbon alternative, it is expensive and produces long-lasting radioactive waste. Improving energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles, and industrial processes is another immediate and cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption and emissions.
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Nuclear energy is a zero-carbon alternative
Fossil fuels—including coal, oil, and natural gas—have been the primary energy source for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. In 2020, oil was the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions, with natural gas close behind. Coal, while still a major energy source, has seen its share decrease due to the declining costs of natural gas and renewable energy.
The shift toward clean energy involves transitioning from high-emission fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives. Nuclear energy is a zero-carbon alternative that generates power through the process of fission, which involves splitting uranium atoms to produce energy. This process releases heat, which creates steam that spins a turbine to generate electricity without the harmful byproducts emitted by fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is the second-largest source of low-carbon electricity globally, after hydropower. It is nearly 100% more effective than any other energy technology at reducing carbon emissions.
In 2020, the United States avoided over 471 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions through nuclear energy, surpassing the collective impact of all other clean energy sources combined. Nuclear energy also requires minimal land compared to other clean energy sources. A typical 1,000-megawatt nuclear facility in the United States needs a little over one square mile to operate, while wind farms and solar photovoltaic plants require significantly more space to produce the same amount of electricity.
While nuclear energy is a reliable and low-carbon alternative, it has its drawbacks. Nuclear energy is expensive, and it produces long-lasting radioactive waste that is dangerous and costly to transport and store for disposal. However, the benefits of nuclear energy in reducing carbon emissions and providing consistent baseload power cannot be overlooked, especially as the world transitions to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for more than 80% of global energy production. Oil alone accounted for 31% of the world's total energy supply in 2019.
The three major fossil fuels used for energy production are coal, oil, and natural gas. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production.
Fossil fuel energy production varies significantly across countries. Some countries are major producers, while others rely entirely on imports. The largest consumers use more than ten times the amount of fossil fuel energy compared to smaller consumers.
Globally, fossil fuels account for a smaller share of electricity production than the energy system as a whole. In 2019, coal was the dominant fuel for power generation, contributing 37% of global electricity production. Oil provided less than 3% of global electricity in 2019.
Renewable energy sources such as hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy are reliable alternatives to fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is another option, but it is expensive and produces radioactive waste.
