Rajan Wilcox
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—have powered economies for over 150 years and currently supply about 80% of the world's energy. In 2023, fossil fuel consumption reached a record high, with coal, oil, and natural gas comprising 82% of the global energy mix. While the use of renewable energy is increasing, global energy demand is also rising, leading to a continued reliance on fossil fuels. In this context, understanding daily fossil fuel consumption becomes crucial to addressing the challenges posed by their environmental and health impacts.
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels account for 80% of global energy
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years. In 2023, they accounted for about 80% of global energy consumption, with coal, the cheapest but dirtiest fossil fuel, being the single largest source of carbon emissions. Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of global energy consumption, respectively. The average American consumes more than 23 barrels of petroleum products annually, including gasoline, propane, and jet fuel.
While the world is gradually transitioning to renewable energy sources, the demand for and consumption of fossil fuels continues to increase. In 2024, the world's consumption of fossil fuels climbed to a record high, with coal consumption increasing by 1.6% and oil demand rising by 2% to reach 100 million barrels a day. This increase in fossil fuel consumption led to a record-high 40 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Several countries and regions, including Europe and the United States, have witnessed a decline in fossil fuel consumption and a shift towards renewable energy sources. In Europe, fossil fuels dipped below 70% of primary energy use, and in the US, consumption of coal has halved in the last decade. However, other countries, such as India, have seen an increase in fossil fuel consumption to match their overall energy demand.
To reduce fossil fuel consumption and mitigate climate change, it is essential to improve energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles, industrial processes, appliances, and equipment. Additionally, orienting cities and towns around public transit, walking, or biking can help reduce the demand for fossil fuels used in private vehicles. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is also being employed to collect and inject carbon emitted by the fossil fuel sector back into the earth, with 26 commercial CCS plants in operation worldwide in 2020.
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Oil is the largest source of US carbon emissions
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary energy source for over 150 years. In 2021, the world consumed nearly 490 exajoules of fossil fuels. While global fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past half-century, the types of fuel we rely on have shifted from solely coal to a combination of oil and natural gas. Oil, in particular, has become a significant contributor to carbon emissions.
In 2020, oil was the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions, with natural gas a close second. Oil combustion accounted for 45% of US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions that year. The transportation sector, which accounts for most oil consumption, is the largest contributor to direct greenhouse gas emissions. Over 94% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum-based, including gasoline and diesel.
The industrial sector is the third-largest source of direct emissions, with burning fossil fuels for energy and certain chemical reactions being the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Oil is also used in the industrial sector as a feedstock in chemical processes and for industrial heat and power. While natural gas emits less carbon dioxide than coal when generating electricity, leaks from natural gas plants, wells, and pipelines emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Oil consumption poses significant environmental and safety risks, including the thousands of oil spills that occur each year in the US, impacting ecosystems and human health. As economies move towards sustainable renewable energy, the future of oil beyond 2050 is uncertain. However, oil consumption and production are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in the next few years.
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Coal consumption is falling, oil and gas are rising
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. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution. However, fossil fuel consumption has changed significantly over the past few centuries—both in terms of what and how much we burn.
While fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past half-century, the types of fuel we rely on have also shifted from solely coal towards a combination with oil and gas. Today, coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, including the United States, where coal consumption decreased by 8% in 2022. This shift is due to a variety of factors, including the increasing cost-competitiveness of renewable energy sources, government efforts to implement "green" COVID-19 recovery packages, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.
Despite the decline in coal consumption, global primary energy demand grew by 5.8% in 2021, with fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) accounting for 82% of energy consumption. Oil and natural gas consumption are still growing quickly, with oil constituting about one-third of U.S. energy consumption and natural gas projected to meet an increasing share of U.S. energy demand. The transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption, while natural gas is used in the industrial sector for chemical processes and industrial heat and power.
The future of fossil fuel consumption remains uncertain as economies move towards sustainable renewable energy sources. While global coal demand is expected to peak in 2023, oil and gas consumption may continue to rise in the short term, particularly if economic growth rebounds and global energy trade disruptions increase transport costs. However, in the longer term, the invasion of Ukraine has increased governments' determination to facilitate an energy transition away from fossil fuels.
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Fossil fuel use varies greatly between countries
Fossil fuel use varies significantly between countries, with consumption rates influenced by factors such as population size, energy mix, transportation choices, consumption habits, and economic development. While some countries are major consumers of fossil fuels, others are working towards reducing their dependence and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
China, the United States, and India are the top three countries with the highest fossil fuel consumption globally. Together, these countries account for 54% of the world's fossil fuel consumption by weight. China, with a population of 1.38 billion people, consumes about 31% of global fossil fuels, or about 3.4 metric tons per person per year. The United States consumes twice as much per person as China, contributing to its position as the second-largest consumer. Despite having a smaller population, India's growing economy and proximity to rich oil reserves have led to a sharp rise in its fossil fuel consumption.
Some countries, such as Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, have remarkably high per capita fossil fuel consumption rates, with their consumption per person exceeding ten tons. Many of these countries are also significant producers of fossil fuels. For instance, Equatorial Guinea, with a small population of just over 1.2 million, is one of the top oil-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and leads the world in per capita fossil fuel consumption at 18 metric tons per person per year.
In contrast, several countries have made notable progress in reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy alternatives. Egypt and Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, have significantly lowered their fossil fuel consumption over the last decade. Additionally, at least 29 countries, including India and Saudi Arabia, source more than 90% of their energy from fossil fuels, but they face a significant ecological cost due to the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels. As low-carbon energy sources become more accessible, there is a growing trend towards renewable energy, with global dependence on fossil fuels decreasing relative to total energy use since 1971.
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Natural gas leaks are a significant problem
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 2021, the world consumed nearly 490 exajoules of fossil fuels. On a day-to-day basis, fossil fuel consumption might seem minimal, but in a year, the average American consumes more than 23 barrels of petroleum products like gasoline, propane, or jet fuel.
Natural gas leaks can have severe consequences. They can lead to fires or explosions, and inhaling the gas can cause natural gas poisoning. Leaks can also cause a reduction in oxygen levels, affecting humans and pets. If you suspect a natural gas leak, it is essential to leave the area immediately and contact the relevant authorities or emergency services.
Additionally, natural gas leaks contribute to environmental concerns. While burning natural gas emits less carbon dioxide and air pollutants than coal, leaks from natural gas plants, wells, and pipelines release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Methane is 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat, contributing to climate change.
To address natural gas leaks, it is crucial to follow safety guidelines and properly maintain gas appliances and pipelines. Regular inspections and prompt repairs can help mitigate the risk of leaks. By being vigilant and taking preventive measures, we can minimize the occurrence of natural gas leaks and their potential impacts on human health, safety, and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear how much fossil fuel the world consumes in a day. However, fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, currently supply about 80% of the world’s energy.
It is unclear how much fossil fuel the average American consumes in a day. However, in a year, the average American consumes more than 23 barrels of petroleum products like gasoline, propane, or jet fuel.
In 2023, the US consumed 93.59 quads of energy, with fossil fuels accounting for about 84% of this consumption.
In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix.
In 2023, petroleum provided about 89% of the transportation sector's primary energy consumption.
