Katerina Swanson
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been used to power economies for over 150 years and currently supply about 80% of the world's energy. They are formed over millions of years from the carbon-rich remains of animals and plants as they are gradually buried by layers of rock. Today, fossil fuels are drilled or mined, burned to produce electricity, or refined for use as fuel for heating or transportation. They have been integral to human development because they can be readily burned in the open atmosphere to produce heat. However, burning fossil fuels releases harmful air pollutants and is a major contributor to the current global warming crisis and ocean acidification. As a result, there has been a growing movement to transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources and reduce fossil fuel usage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How fossil fuels are formed | Fossil fuels are formed from the carbon-rich remains of animals and plants that decomposed and were compressed and heated underground over millions of years. |
| Types of fossil fuels | Coal, oil, natural gas, and petroleum |
| Uses of fossil fuels | Energy production, heating, transportation, manufacturing, electricity generation, powering heat engines, feedstock for the petrochemical industry, and refining into fuel for vehicles |
| Impact on climate | Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change and ocean acidification |
| Environmental impact | Coal mining methods such as mountaintop removal and strip mining have negative environmental impacts, and offshore oil drilling poses hazards to aquatic life |
| Health impact | Fossil fuel emissions contribute to respiratory illnesses and acid rain |
| Policy and transition | International policies and agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, aim to transition from fossil fuels to renewable and sustainable energy sources |
| Progress in reducing usage | Renewable energy accounted for about 20% of US electricity generation in 2020, and federal, state, and local policies have helped scale up renewable energy sources |
| Alternatives | Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and nuclear energy |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuel extraction methods
Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy formed from the organic matter of plants and microorganisms that lived millions of years ago. The three most commonly used fossil fuels are coal, oil (or petroleum), and natural gas.
The extraction methods for fossil fuels depend on the type of fuel being extracted.
Oil Extraction
Oil, or crude oil, is a liquid fossil fuel made up of hydrocarbons (hydrogen and carbon compounds). It can be found in underground reservoirs, in the cracks and pores of sedimentary rock, or in tar sands near the earth's surface.
To access oil, drilling is employed, either on land or at sea. Tar sands oil and oil shale are extracted through strip mining, a type of surface mining that involves creating a progressively deeper hole with steep walls.
Once the oil is accessed, it is forced out of the well using the pressure present in the reservoir (primary recovery). Water or gas is then injected to force out more oil (secondary recovery). Finally, enhanced oil recovery (tertiary recovery) may be used to extract even more oil by applying heat (injecting steam) or injecting carbon dioxide or other gases to change the properties of the oil and make it easier to extract.
Natural Gas Extraction
Natural gas is found on top of oil, which may be floating on groundwater. Similar to oil extraction, the trap is first pierced to release natural gas, which is initially under high pressure. Water or gas is then injected to force out more natural gas.
Coal Extraction
Coal is extracted through mining operations. Coal mining can have detrimental effects on the environment, including polluting waterways with toxic runoff and dumping unwanted rock and soil into streams.
It is important to note that the extraction and use of fossil fuels have significant negative impacts on the environment and public health.
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Fossil fuels and climate change
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—are the largest contributor to global climate change. They account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions. When burned for energy, fossil fuels release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming and climate change.
The average global temperature has already increased by 1°C, and global temperatures passed the critical 1.5°C milestone in 2024. Warming above 1.5°C risks further sea level rise, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, species extinction, food scarcity, and worsening health and poverty for millions worldwide. Fossil fuels are also major contributors to ocean acidification, as the ocean absorbs much of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, altering marine ecosystems.
The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation and heat production is a significant source of global emissions. Most electricity is still generated by burning coal, oil, or gas, which releases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide—powerful greenhouse gases. Additionally, the manufacturing and industrial sectors emit large amounts of greenhouse gases, mainly from burning fossil fuels to produce energy for manufacturing processes and creating products like cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics, and clothing.
Fossil fuels are also used in transportation, powering vehicles like cars, trucks, and aircraft. The invention of the internal combustion engine increased the demand for gasoline and diesel oil, both derived from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are further refined into derivatives like kerosene, gasoline, and diesel or converted into petrochemicals for plastics, aromatics, and synthetic resins.
The recognition of the climate crisis and the negative effects of fossil fuels has led to a transition towards renewable and sustainable energy sources. International policies, such as the United Nations' sustainable development goals and the Paris Climate Agreement, aim to facilitate this transition globally. However, fossil fuel emissions continue to rise, and a recent report indicates that we are on track to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil, and gas by 2030 than we can burn to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
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Fossil fuel use in transport
Motorised transport on land, sea, and air relies on internal combustion engines that run on fossil fuels. In 2023, petroleum products, which are made from crude oil and natural gas processing, accounted for about 89% of the total US transportation sector's energy use. This includes gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, residual fuel oil, and propane. In addition to petroleum, biofuels, which include ethanol and biomass-based diesel, contributed about 6% to the energy used in the US transportation sector.
The US has made significant progress towards decarbonising transport, with policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the production of biofuels, synthetic fuels, and hydrogen. Despite these efforts, the US transportation system is the most carbon-intensive among affluent countries, with over 284 million gasoline- and diesel-burning cars, trucks, and buses on the roads.
To reduce carbon emissions, there has been a push towards electrification, with advancements in battery cost, range, performance, and charging. By 2035, it is predicted that almost all new vehicles sold will be battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) or fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). BEVs will account for almost 95% of passenger car sales and more than 70% of heavy-duty truck sales in 2035.
In addition to electrification, there are other alternatives to fossil fuels that are becoming more commonplace. Propane, for example, has been used as a transportation fuel for over half a century and is the most widely used and accessible alternative fuel. Compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas are also used in cars, buses, trucks, and ships, mainly in government and private fleets.
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Fossil fuel use in industry
Fossil fuels have been integral to human development, providing easily accessible energy for industry, transportation, and construction. The Industrial Revolution, which began in Great Britain during the second half of the 18th century, unlocked the use of fossil fuels, leading to significant technological and industrial advancements.
Coal was the first fossil fuel to be widely used, followed by petroleum, and natural gas. These energy sources were used in steam engines, gas lights, and the internal combustion engine, which increased the demand for gasoline and diesel oil. The use of fossil fuels has continued to rise, with oil and gas consumption increasing rapidly over the past few centuries. Today, they are the most widely used energy sources, providing roughly 80% of the world's energy.
The industrial sector is a major consumer of fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, which is used as a feedstock in chemical processes and for industrial heat and power. Coal is also used in industry, particularly in the smelting of metal ore. In addition, the combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2), which has contributed to global warming and climate change. Despite the negative impacts, the transition away from fossil fuels has been slow due to the heavy integration of the fossil fuel industry into the global economy.
To reduce fossil fuel usage, nations have implemented measures such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement on climate. Additionally, there has been a growing movement to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy sources. However, the infrastructure for fossil energy is well-established, making it more cost-effective than alternative sources like nuclear or renewable energy. As a result, the real breakthrough away from fossil fuels will likely come when the most important fossil energy carriers are depleted, which may occur within the next few generations.
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Transitioning away from fossil fuels
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been integral to human development, providing energy for heating, lighting, cooking, and powering vehicles and machinery. However, the recognition of their detrimental impact on the environment and contribution to climate change has spurred a global transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
The transition away from fossil fuels is gaining momentum, with half of the world's economies already embracing renewable alternatives. This shift is driven by the understanding that fossil fuels are non-renewable resources formed over millions of years from the decomposition of dead organisms, and their extensive use has led to environmental degradation and climate change.
International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations' sustainable development goals, have played a pivotal role in facilitating this transition. The consensus reached at COP28, where nearly 200 countries committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels, marked a significant milestone in global efforts. While this agreement does not mandate a complete cessation of fossil fuel use, it emphasizes the importance of a "just transition" that protects the rights and interests of workers and ordinary people during the process of industrial restructuring.
To achieve a successful transition, it is crucial to address the challenges posed by the current infrastructure built around fossil fuels. This includes improving the storage and transportation methods of renewable energy, such as enhancing grids and utilizing battery storage solutions. Additionally, accelerating the development of green hydrogen can help bridge the gap in areas where renewable energy generation is not always feasible.
While the transition away from fossil fuels is underway, it is important to acknowledge that it is a gradual process that requires patience and continued commitment from governments, industries, and societies alike. The integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, into the energy mix is showing promising results, and continued innovation and investment in these areas will be key to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are energy sources formed from the carbon-rich remains of animals and plants that decomposed and were compressed and heated underground over millions of years.
Fossil fuels are drilled or mined and then burned to produce electricity or refined for use as fuel for heating or transportation.
Common examples of fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Fossil fuels have been powering economies for over 150 years and currently supply about 80% of the world's energy. They played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution and continue to be a significant energy source today.
Burning fossil fuels releases harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and global warming. They also have negative environmental impacts, including ocean acidification, air and water pollution, and ecosystem destruction through mining and oil spills.
