Ameer Randolph
Fossil fuels are deeply embedded in the world economy, powering over 80% of global energy consumption. However, the world is rapidly depleting its fossil fuel reserves, with oil, natural gas, and coal reserves projected to last for approximately 47 to 50 more years at current consumption rates. This deadline, coupled with the significant contribution of fossil fuels to greenhouse gas emissions, underscores the urgent need to transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources. While some countries are actively developing renewable energy sources, the transition is hampered by governments and organizations with vested interests in fossil fuels. Nevertheless, the improving efficiency and affordability of renewable and energy storage technologies, coupled with pressure from international organizations, environmental advocacy groups, and grassroots movements, provide optimism for a shift towards a cleaner energy future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of world energy consumption from fossil fuels in 2020 | 80% |
| World's proven reserves of fossil fuel in exajoules | 49,023 |
| Years of fossil fuel left in the world (excluding unproven reserves) | 47 |
| Years of natural gas left in the world | 53 |
| Years of coal left in the world | 114 |
| Years of oil left in the world | 50 |
| Percentage of world energy consumption from renewables in 2017 | 25% |
| Percentage of world energy consumption from renewables in 2021 | 6% |
| Percentage of world energy consumption from nuclear energy | 4% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels used for electricity generation
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary source of energy since the Industrial Revolution. However, the consumption of fossil fuels has changed significantly over the past few centuries, with an eight-fold increase in consumption since 1950 and a doubling since 1980. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for more than 81% of global energy production, with oil being the most produced form of energy, followed by coal and natural gas.
In 2019, coal was the dominant fuel for power generation, accounting for 37% of global electricity production, with oil and natural gas accounting for smaller shares. While the use of coal has been declining in recent years, it still remains the largest source of electricity globally, with gas being the second-largest source. In the United States, about 60% of electricity generation in 2023 came from fossil fuels, with coal, natural gas, and petroleum being the main sources.
The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation has significant environmental implications. Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, contributing to climate change. In the United States, burning fossil fuels accounted for 74% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. While generating electricity from natural gas emits less carbon dioxide than coal, leaks from natural gas plants, wells, and pipelines release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
To address the environmental impact of fossil fuels, there has been a growing focus on transitioning to cleaner technologies and renewable energy sources. In 2020, renewable energy accounted for about 20% of U.S. electricity generation, and this share is expected to continue growing. Additionally, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies can help mitigate the effects of carbon emissions by capturing and storing carbon underground. However, CCS is not a solution to continue burning fossil fuels unabated, as fossil fuels also release other harmful pollutants.
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Fossil fuels used for transportation
Fossil fuels are predominantly used for transportation. In 2012, global transportation energy consumption was dominated by two fossil fuels: motor gasoline (including ethanol blends) and diesel (including biodiesel blends). Together, these two fuels accounted for 77% of total transportation consumption. Motor gasoline is used primarily for the movement of people, especially by light-duty vehicles, while diesel fuel is used mostly for the movement of goods, especially by heavy-duty trucks.
In 2023, the United States consumed about 30% of its total energy for transporting people and goods. Petroleum products, made from crude oil and natural gas, accounted for about 89% of the total transportation sector energy use in the US. This includes motor gasoline, aviation gasoline, distillate fuels (mostly diesel fuel), jet fuel, residual fuel oil, and propane.
The transportation sector accounts for the largest share of US petroleum consumption. In 2022, consumption of finished motor gasoline averaged about 8.78 million barrels per day (369 million gallons per day), which was about 43% of total US petroleum consumption. Distillate fuel oil, including diesel fuel and heating oil, was the second-most-consumed petroleum product, at 20% of total US petroleum consumption.
Other fossil fuels used for transportation include jet fuel, which accounted for 8-12% of transportation energy consumption, and residual fuel oil, at 9%. In 2022, jet fuel consumption averaged about 1.56 million barrels per day (65 million gallons per day), accounting for 8% of total US petroleum consumption.
While electricity is used by mass transit systems, it currently represents a relatively low percentage of total energy use in the transportation sector, at less than 1%. However, the use of electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing and can lead to lower carbon emissions, even when electricity generation relies on fossil fuels.
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Fossil fuels used for plastic production
Fossil fuels are a major feedstock in the production of plastics. While crude oil is a source of raw material for making plastics, it is not the primary source of feedstock for plastics production in the United States. Instead, plastics are typically produced from natural gas and feedstocks derived from natural gas processing and crude oil refining. Petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for petrochemical crackers that produce the basic building blocks for plastics.
The monomers used to make plastics, such as ethylene and propylene, are predominantly derived from fossil hydrocarbons. The flexibility of the petrochemical industry in the feedstock it consumes and the lack of detailed data collected on this aspect of industrial consumption make it challenging to pinpoint the exact amounts and origins of the materials used in plastics manufacturing.
The connection between the fossil fuel and plastic industries is profound. Fossil fuel corporations have significant financial incentives to continue producing plastics, particularly as the world transitions to renewable energy sources. As a result, they are investing heavily in the development of fossil fuels into petrochemicals and fossil hydrocarbons for plastic manufacturing. This trend is evident in the United States, where the shale gas boom is fueling a significant expansion of plastic infrastructure.
The global plastic production capacity is projected to increase substantially in the coming years, with companies committed to producing and marketing greater volumes of plastic. This surge in plastic production is concerning from a climate perspective, as plastic production is a significant contributor to climate change. A 2021 analysis by Beyond Plastics revealed that the U.S. plastics industry's impact on climate change could surpass that of coal-fired power plants by 2030.
Moreover, the lifecycle of plastics, from fossil fuel extraction to plastic manufacturing and waste disposal, is associated with greenhouse gas emissions. The pervasive presence of plastics in our daily lives, including in our clothing, cosmetic products, and food packaging, underscores the urgency of addressing the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution. As public awareness of plastic pollution grows, there is a pressing need for policymakers to implement measures that reduce reliance on plastics, especially single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging.
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Global fossil fuel consumption
Fossil fuels—including coal, oil, and natural gas—have been powering economies for over 150 years and currently supply about 80% of the world's energy. In 2023, 77% of primary energy consumption in the world and over 60% of its electricity supply were from fossil fuels. This is an increase from 2015, when fossil fuels accounted for more than 14% of global energy consumption.
The consumption of fossil fuels has increased significantly over the past half-century, with an eight-fold increase since 1950 and a doubling since 1980. While coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, oil and gas are still growing quickly. In 2023, oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. Oil consumption constitutes about one-third of US energy consumption, with the transportation sector accounting for most of it.
The burning of fossil fuels has serious environmental and health impacts. It is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, with over 70% of emissions due to human activity in 2022 being carbon dioxide (CO2) released from burning fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels also generates sulphuric and nitric acids, which fall to Earth as acid rain, impacting both natural areas and the built environment. Fossil fuel combustion has also been linked to adverse health effects in humans, including premature death, acute respiratory illness, aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, and decreased lung function.
There is a growing trend towards the development and consumption of non-fossil fuels, driven by factors such as the depletion of traditional energy resources and concerns about environmental sustainability. Renewable energy sources, such as nuclear power and hydropower, are becoming more prevalent, with renewable energy accounting for about 20% of US electricity generation in 2020. However, global energy consumption continues to be dominated by fossil fuels, with record consumption reported in 2023.
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Fossil fuel consumption in the US
Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century, but the mix has changed over time. Petroleum has been the top source of US energy since data tracking began in 1950, peaking at 49% of all US energy consumption in 1977 and 1978. In 2023, petroleum was the most-consumed energy source in the US, accounting for about a third (38%) of all energy usage.
Natural gas was also responsible for over a third (36%) of US energy consumption in 2023. Natural gas liquids production tripled from 2000 to 2022, and the US leads the world in NGL production. The proportion of natural gas as part of fossil fuels has been increasing since the 1990s, and it became the top fossil fuel in 2016.
Coal consumption has declined, dropping 64% since its peak in 2005. In 2021, coal made up 90% of electricity production, and in 2023, it accounted for 9% of US energy consumption.
In 2023, fossil fuels generated 60% of all electricity generation in the US, with nuclear power and renewable energy sources each accounting for 9% of energy consumption. The US is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of electricity, generating 15% of the world's electricity supply.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to know exactly how much fossil fuel is left in the world. However, as fossil fuels are being used up, countries are developing renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power.
In the US, about 60% of electricity is generated from fossil fuels. Gas is the second-largest source of electricity production globally, and its use is growing quickly as countries substitute it for coal.
In 2017, 72% of global energy demand was from fossil fuels. This is despite fossil fuels being the largest driver of climate change.
In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production. In the transportation sector, fossil fuels accounted for 89% of energy use.
In 2023, about 30% of total US energy consumption was for transportation. Gasoline is the dominant transportation fuel in the US, followed by diesel and jet fuel.
