Mercedes Mullins
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 ancient plants and animals. When burned, fossil fuels release carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change. Despite a growing trend towards renewable energy sources, fossil fuels still accounted for 80-84% of global energy consumption in 2023. This demand is driven largely by the Global South, where energy consumption is increasing at twice the global rate. The top three consumers of fossil fuels—China, the United States, and India—account for 54% of global fossil fuel consumption by weight. This article will explore the consumption of fossil fuels by type, examining the role of coal, oil, and natural gas in the global energy system.
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What You'll Learn
Oil: the largest source of US carbon emissions in 2020
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the world's primary energy source for over 150 years. In 2023, they accounted for about 80% of global energy consumption, with oil and coal dominating the energy mix. However, there are significant differences in consumption between countries, and per capita consumption data provides a more nuanced view.
In 2020, oil was the largest source of US carbon emissions. While US petroleum consumption decreased that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it remained a significant contributor to the country's energy mix. Petroleum has historically been the most-consumed energy source in the US in terms of total annual energy consumption. It is used for transportation, heating buildings, and electricity production. The industrial sector also uses petroleum as a raw material for various products, including plastics and solvents.
The transportation sector is a major consumer of petroleum in the US, with gasoline being the most-consumed petroleum product. In 2022, finished motor gasoline consumption averaged 8.78 million barrels per day, accounting for about 43% of total US petroleum consumption. Distillate fuel oil, including diesel and heating oil, is the second-most-consumed petroleum product, used in vehicles, heavy machinery, and electricity generation. Jet fuel is the fourth-most-consumed petroleum product, with an average consumption of 1.56 million barrels per day in 2022, or about 8% of total petroleum consumption.
While the US is not among the top countries in per capita fossil fuel consumption, it is one of the three largest consumers of fossil fuels by weight, along with China and India. These three countries consume 54% of the world's fossil fuels. As the world transitions to low-carbon energy sources, it is important for major fossil fuel-consuming countries like the US to lead the way in reducing emissions and investing in renewable energy alternatives.
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Coal: the most polluting energy source
Coal is a carbon-rich black rock formed deep underground over thousands of years due to heat and pressure. It has been a critical energy source for centuries, currently providing about 80% of the world's energy. However, it is also the most polluting energy source.
When burned, coal releases the stored carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This leads to an excess buildup of greenhouse gases, causing dramatic changes to the Earth's climate. In the United States, coal accounts for about a quarter of all energy-related carbon emissions. Globally, coal is the largest source of electricity, with about 30% of US electricity coming from coal.
The burning of coal for energy also produces carbon dioxide (CO2), contributing to global climate change and local air pollution. In 2022, CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and 55% of total CO2 emissions from the electric power sector. Coal-fired power plants are linked to various health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, and neurological problems.
In addition to air pollution, coal mining and power plants impact water sources. Coal ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, can contaminate ponds, lakes, landfills, and waterways, ultimately affecting drinking water supplies. Mountaintop removal mining, as seen in the Appalachian Mountains, alters landscapes and can lead to the obliteration of mountain streams and valleys.
Coal is indeed the most polluting energy source, and transitioning to cleaner alternatives is essential for mitigating its worst impacts on the environment and human health.
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Gas: used in industrial heat and power
Gas is one of the three main fossil fuels, along with coal and oil, and has been used to power economies for over 150 years. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 80-84% of the world's energy supply. In the same year, global primary energy consumption hit an all-time high, with oil and coal dominating the energy mix.
Natural gas is projected to meet an increasing share of US energy demand. Its use is expected to increase in the industrial sector, where it is used for industrial heat and power. Gas is also used in the industrial sector as a feedstock in chemical processes.
In 2022, the US consumed about 20.28 million barrels of petroleum per day, including about 1.17 million barrels of biofuels per day. Gasoline was the most-consumed petroleum product in the US in 2022, with consumption averaging 8.78 million barrels per day, or 369 million gallons per day. This was about 43% of total US petroleum consumption.
Gas is used for industrial heat and power in several ways. One way is through distillate fuel oil, which includes diesel fuel and heating oil. Heating oil is used for industrial heating and for producing electricity in power plants. In 2022, total distillate fuel oil consumption averaged about 3.96 million barrels per day, or 166 million gallons per day, which was 20% of total US consumption.
Another way gas is used for industrial heat and power is through jet fuel, which was the fourth-most-consumed petroleum product in the US in 2022. Jet fuel consumption averaged about 1.56 million barrels per day, or 65 million gallons per day, accounting for about 8% of total petroleum consumption.
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Petroleum: the most-consumed energy source in the US
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. However, there are growing concerns about the environmental impact of fossil fuels, particularly their contribution to climate change and air pollution. As a result, there is a push to transition to renewable and low-carbon energy sources.
In the United States, fossil fuels have dominated the energy mix for more than a century, but the specific types of fossil fuels used have changed over time. Petroleum, also known as oil, has historically been the most-consumed energy source in the US in terms of total annual energy consumption. In 1978, at its peak, petroleum consumption in the US was about 49% of total energy consumption. While its share has decreased over time, petroleum still accounted for about 38% (35 quads) of total US energy consumption in 2023.
Petroleum is a crucial feedstock for the petrochemical industry, which uses it to manufacture plastics, polyurethane, solvents, and countless other products. In the transportation sector, petroleum products like gasoline and diesel fuel are used to propel vehicles. In 2022, gasoline consumption in the US averaged about 8.78 million barrels per day, accounting for 43% of total US petroleum consumption. Distillate fuel oil, which includes diesel and heating oil, is the second-most-consumed petroleum product, used in various vehicles and for heating homes and buildings. Jet fuel is also a significant component of US petroleum consumption, averaging about 1.56 million barrels per day in 2022.
The US is one of the top three consumers of fossil fuels globally, alongside China and India. However, when it comes to per capita consumption, the US is surpassed by several smaller countries, including those that are also major producers of fossil fuels, such as Equatorial Guinea, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, the US is projected to increase its use of natural gas in the industrial sector, while also integrating more renewable sources like hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy.
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Natural gas: the second-largest source of US emissions in 2020
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 being the second-largest source. Natural gas emits about half the amount of carbon dioxide as coal and is therefore being used more extensively due to its lower price and ability to displace coal-fired generation.
The use of natural gas is projected to meet an increasing share of US energy demand, particularly in the industrial sector, where it is used as a feedstock in chemical processes and for industrial heat and power. The industrial sector is the third-largest source of direct emissions in the US, and emissions from this sector increase substantially when indirect emissions from electricity use are included. Natural gas consumption and emissions increased across all sectors in 2022, except for US territories.
The US has seen a decline in net emissions from 2005 to 2021, with a sharp decline from 2019 to 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline is attributed to a range of market and policy-related factors, including a shift from coal to natural gas, increased use of renewable energy, and a leveling of electricity demand. However, as the economy rebounded after the pandemic, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions also increased, with emissions from natural gas consumption rising by 5% relative to 2021.
While natural gas is a less carbon-intensive fuel source than coal, it is still a fossil fuel that releases greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants when burned. Therefore, despite its role in reducing carbon emissions compared to coal, natural gas is still a significant contributor to US emissions and needs to be addressed in the transition to a low-carbon energy system.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix in 2023, with coal, oil, and natural gas comprising the majority of this consumption.
The three primary fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas.
Oil is the most consumed fossil fuel, with natural gas as a close second.
Fossil fuels are used for energy to produce electricity, fuel for transportation, and heating.
The top three consumers of fossil fuels are China, the United States, and India.
