Ameer Randolph
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary energy source for over 150 years. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for 81% of global energy production, with oil being the most produced form of energy at 190 EJ. The following year, in 2020, fossil fuels accounted for 84% of the world's primary energy consumption. This number decreased to 82% in 2023, with oil and coal accounting for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption.
The burning of fossil fuels for energy accounts for about three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest driver of climate change. It also has a significant impact on human health, with at least five million deaths attributed to air pollution each year. As a result, there is a growing need to transition to low-carbon energy sources, such as renewable technologies and nuclear power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy supply | 80% to 82% |
| Largest source of carbon dioxide | Fossil fuels |
| Largest source of energy-related carbon emissions in the US in 2020 | Oil |
| Percentage of US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 | 45% |
| Percentage of US primary energy production in 2023 | About 84% |
| Percentage of US energy consumption in 2023 | 38% |
| Percentage of world's natural gas production in 2020 | 24% |
| Percentage of world's natural gas consumption in 2020 | 22% |
| Percentage of US primary energy consumption in 2023 | 94% |
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What You'll Learn
Coal is the most polluting energy source
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—have been the world's primary energy source for over 150 years. They are formed from the carbon-rich remains of plants and animals that decomposed and were compressed and heated underground millions of years ago. While fossil fuels have been a significant driver of technological, social, and economic progress, they are also the largest driver of global climate change. Of the three fossil fuels, coal is the most polluting energy source.
Coal is a carbon-rich black rock formed deep underground over thousands of years due to heat and pressure. When burned, coal releases energy and carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas. In 2022, coal combustion accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and 55% of total CO2 emissions from the electric power sector. Coal combustion also produces other air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and particulate matter, which have been linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and acid rain.
Coal mining and extraction processes further contribute to environmental degradation. Surface mines, also known as strip mines, remove the soil and rock above coal deposits and accounted for about 63% of coal mined in the US in 2022. Mountaintop removal and valley fill mining have significantly altered landscapes in the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky, impacting mountain streams and valleys. Coal ash, a waste product from coal combustion, is challenging to recycle and can contaminate waterways and drinking water sources. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over 100 million tons of coal ash are generated annually in the US, with similar amounts produced globally.
While efforts have been made to reduce coal's environmental impact, such as implementing scrubbers to clean sulfur from smoke and developing carbon capture technologies, transitioning away from coal is essential for mitigating its worst effects. Globally, there is a growing shift towards low-carbon energy sources such as renewables and nuclear power. However, coal-fired power generation continues to play a significant role in energy systems, particularly in China, India, and parts of Europe, highlighting the ongoing challenge of reducing coal dependence in the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
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Gas is the second-largest source of electricity production
Gas is a fossil fuel that has been powering economies for over 150 years and currently supplies about 80% of the world's energy. Fossil fuels 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. An excess buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has caused climate change—a trend that will worsen as more fossil fuels are burned.
Gas is a major provider of electricity production and a key source of heat. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the United States was from fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases. Gas is also a growing source of electricity production in many countries as they substitute it for coal in the electricity mix. This transition is positive from a climate perspective, as gas typically emits less CO2 per unit of energy.
However, it is important to ultimately shift away from gas and other fossil fuels towards low-carbon sources such as renewables and nuclear energy. Fossil fuels are the largest driver of global climate change and a major contributor to local air pollution, which is linked to millions of premature deaths each year. As low-carbon sources of energy become more readily available, the world needs to rapidly transition to a decarbonized energy system.
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Oil is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions
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. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources formed from the carbon-rich remains of animals and plants 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. The excess buildup of these gases in the Earth's atmosphere has led to dramatic changes in the climate, and this trend will worsen as more fossil fuels are burned.
The extraction and transportation of oil pose significant environmental and safety risks. Oil spills, for instance, can have devastating consequences for ecosystems and human health. Thousands of oil spills occur each year in the United States, and while many are minor, they can still harm animals and humans. Major oil spills, such as the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, which released three million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, can impact ecosystems for decades.
As the world transitions to sustainable renewable energy sources, oil production and consumption are expected to decrease. However, the future of oil beyond 2050 remains uncertain as economies gradually move away from fossil fuels. In the meantime, improving energy efficiency and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources are crucial steps to reducing oil consumption and mitigating its impact on the environment.
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Natural gas is burned to generate US electricity
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the world's primary energy source for over 150 years. They have played a dominant role in global energy systems and have been fundamental to technological, social, and economic progress. However, there is a growing need to transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy sources due to their negative environmental impact. Natural gas, in particular, is a significant contributor to energy production and is burned to generate electricity in the United States.
Natural gas is a major energy source for the United States, and its consumption is increasing. In 2023, the electric power sector accounted for about 40% of total US natural gas consumption, with the industrial, residential, commercial, and transportation sectors making up the rest. Natural gas is used for various purposes, including electricity generation, heating, cooking, and as a feedstock for industrial processes.
The process of converting natural gas into electricity involves several steps. Firstly, natural gas, which consists mainly of methane, is collected from underground geological formations and transported through pipelines to a central point. It is then treated to remove impurities such as water, helium, and carbon dioxide. The processed gas is then sent to power plants, where it undergoes combustion to generate electricity. This can be achieved through a boiler, combustion turbine, or a combined cycle system.
Natural gas-fired power plants are a significant source of electricity generation in the United States. In 2023, natural gas accounted for about 43% of total utility-scale US electricity generation by all sectors. Additionally, during the same year, the US relied on natural gas to generate more electricity than any other energy source, with gas-fired power generation accounting for 40% of utility-scale electricity. This was followed by coal at 20% and nuclear power at 18%, with renewables making up most of the remaining share.
Natural gas is considered a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels due to its lower emissions of toxic air pollutants, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter. However, the extraction and combustion of natural gas still pose environmental and health risks. The transition to low-carbon energy sources is essential to mitigate climate change and improve human health, but natural gas currently plays a crucial role in meeting the energy demands of the United States.
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Fossil fuels are the world's dominant energy source
While fossil fuels have been integral to the world's energy system and the development of societies, they have also contributed significantly to global warming and climate change. When burned, they release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, making them the largest source of carbon emissions. In 2020, oil combustion alone accounted for 45% of U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. The extraction, transportation, and refinement of fossil fuels also pose environmental and safety risks, with oil spills and leaks from pipelines and drilling wells causing significant ecological damage and threatening human health.
The negative impacts of fossil fuels have led to a growing movement advocating for a transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources. This includes a shift towards low-carbon sources such as hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, solar, and nuclear energy. While this transition is necessary, it will also have significant economic impacts due to the heavy integration of the fossil fuel industry into the global economy.
Despite the push for alternative energy sources, fossil fuels continue to play a critical role in global energy systems. Coal, for example, remains a critical energy source for many countries, despite being the most polluting in terms of CO2 emissions and local air pollution. Similarly, natural gas is increasingly being used as a substitute for coal due to its lower CO2 emissions, but it still contributes to climate change and air pollution. Fossil fuels are also necessary for various industrial processes, including the production of paints, detergents, plastics, cosmetics, and medicines.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are energy sources formed from carbon-rich ancient plants and animals that decomposed and were compressed and heated underground over millions of years. Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Fossil fuels are the world's dominant energy source, accounting for about 80% of the global energy supply. In the US, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total primary energy production in 2023.
Coal, oil, and natural gas contribute varying levels of emissions across sectors. Oil was the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions in 2020, with natural gas close behind. However, coal is the most polluting energy source in terms of CO2 produced per unit of energy and local air pollution.
