Regan Brown
Fossil fuels are the most popular energy source worldwide, with over 80% of the world's energy consumption in 2019 coming from oil, coal, and natural gas. In 2023, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with coal, oil, and natural gas accounting for most of this. The largest consumer of primary energy in the world is China, which has recently shifted from a dominant use of coal to an increase in natural gas and renewable sources. Despite the growing popularity of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels remain the most-used energy source globally, contributing significantly to climate change and air pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most used fossil fuel in the world | Oil |
| Most used fossil fuel in the US | Petroleum |
| Most polluting fossil fuel | Coal |
| Oil's share of world energy production in 2019 | 31% |
| Coal's share of world energy production in 2019 | 25% |
| Natural gas's share of world energy production in 2019 | 23% |
| Oil's share of world energy production in 1971 | 44% |
| Oil's share of US energy consumption in 2023 | 38% |
| Oil's share of US energy consumption in 1978 | 49% |
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What You'll Learn
Oil is the most produced form of energy
Oil is the world's most produced form of energy. In 2019, oil accounted for 190 EJ of energy, more than any other source. While its share of the total energy supply has decreased since 1971, it has held steady at 31% since 2010. Oil has been a fundamental driver of technological, social, and economic progress. However, it is also a major contributor to climate change and air pollution.
Oil, also known as petroleum, has been a dominant part of the global energy system for over a century. In the United States, petroleum consumption peaked in the 1970s, accounting for about 49% of total energy consumption. While its share has decreased since then, it still accounted for about 38% of US energy consumption in 2023. Similarly, in the rest of the world, oil consumption has decreased relative to other sources, but it remains the most produced form of energy.
The production of oil has been increasing since 2009, reaching a record high in 2019. This increase in production is due to more cost-effective oil well drilling and production technologies, particularly in tight oil and shale deposits. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease in oil production in 2020, as transport demand fell. Despite this, oil remains the most produced form of energy, and fossil fuels continue to dominate the global energy system.
While oil is the most produced form of energy, coal is the most polluting energy source per unit of energy produced. Coal produces more CO2 and local air pollution than other fossil fuels. It has been a critical energy source for centuries and remains the dominant fuel for power generation. However, moving away from coal is crucial for addressing climate change and improving human health. As renewable energy sources become more readily available and cost-effective, the world needs to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate their negative impacts.
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Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel
Fossil fuels have been a dominant energy source for centuries, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the most common. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for more than 81% of the world's energy production. Oil was the most produced form of energy, followed by coal in second place, and natural gas in third.
However, coal is the most polluting fossil fuel. It produces the most CO2 per unit of energy, and it is the largest contributor to local air pollution. Coal mining and extraction processes also have a significant environmental impact. For example, surface mines, which are the source of about 63% of coal in the United States, involve removing the soil and rock above coal deposits, altering the landscape. Mountaintop removal and valley fill mining have affected large areas of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky, and the water draining from these filled valleys may contain pollutants harmful to aquatic wildlife downstream.
Coal is a solid, carbon-heavy rock that comes in four main varieties: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. Nearly all the coal burned in the United States is sub-bituminous or bituminous, which are abundant in states like Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Regardless of variety, coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. In 2022, global coal-fired generation reached an all-time high, pushing CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants to record levels.
While coal is gradually being replaced in most countries, it still supplies over a third of global electricity generation. This is partly due to its crucial role in iron and steel production, as well as the energy demands of emerging economies. To reduce the environmental impact of coal, governments and industries are developing and deploying less polluting technologies, such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). Reusing and recycling waste produced from burning coal can also help reduce its environmental effects.
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Fossil fuels are the largest driver of climate change
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, are the most used energy sources and the largest driver of climate change. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for over 81% of the world's energy production, with oil being the most produced form of energy at 190 EJ. The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and lead to global warming and climate change. The average global temperature has already increased by 1°C, surpassing the critical 1.5°C milestone in 2024, and the rate of warming is faster than at any point in recorded history.
Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel per unit of energy produced, emitting the most CO2 and contributing to local air pollution. It has been a critical energy source for centuries and remains the dominant fuel for power generation, accounting for 37% of global electricity production in 2019. Oil, while accounting for only a small share of electricity production, is heavily used in the transportation sector, providing about 89% of the sector's primary energy consumption. Natural gas, while promoted as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil, is still a fossil fuel and contributes to a fifth of the world's total carbon emissions.
The effects of burning fossil fuels are far-reaching, impacting both human and environmental health. The release of greenhouse gases, such as CO2 and nitrous oxide (N2O), intensifies the greenhouse effect, increasing the Earth's average air temperatures. This leads to changing weather patterns, disrupting the natural balance of ecosystems, and causing biodiversity loss and species extinction. Global warming also exacerbates water scarcity, leading to agricultural and ecological droughts, and contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal and island communities.
To mitigate climate change, a rapid transition away from fossil fuels towards low-carbon energy sources, such as nuclear and renewables, is necessary. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that fossil fuel emissions must be halved within 11 years to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
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Petroleum is the most used fossil fuel in the US
Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century, but the mix has changed over time. Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are the fossil fuels that account for about 84% of total US primary energy production. In 2023, petroleum's share of total US energy consumption was about 38% (35 quads), down from its peak of 49% in 1978. In 2022, total petroleum consumption in the US averaged about 20.28 million barrels per day, including about 1.17 million barrels per day of biofuels. Gasoline is the most-consumed petroleum product in the United States, with finished motor gasoline consumption averaging about 8.78 million barrels per day in 2022, or 43% of total US petroleum consumption.
Petroleum is a fossil fuel that is used for many purposes. It is used to propel vehicles, heat buildings, and produce electricity. The petrochemical industry also uses petroleum as a raw material to make products such as plastics, polyurethane, solvents, and other intermediate and end-user goods. In the transportation sector, petroleum provided about 89% of primary energy consumption in 2023, while it provided less than 1% of the electric power sector's primary energy consumption.
The US has been transitioning away from fossil fuels towards sustainable renewable energy. In 2020, renewable energy accounted for about 20% of US electricity generation, and this share is expected to continue growing. As the US moves away from fossil fuels, coal usage and carbon dioxide emissions have decreased. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of US energy consumption, down from previous years. Oil production and consumption also decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Oil is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, with oil combustion responsible for 45% of US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. Extracting and transporting oil pose significant environmental and safety risks. While petroleum consumption in the US has decreased in recent years due to the pandemic and the transition to renewable energy, it remains the most-consumed energy source in terms of total annual US energy consumption.
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Coal is critical to global energy production
Coal is the most abundant energy resource in the world and has been a critical energy source for centuries. It is the second-largest primary energy source globally, with the US holding the world's largest coal reserve base. Coal is also the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, producing more CO2 and local air pollution per unit of energy than other fossil fuels. Despite this, coal is critical to global energy production for several reasons.
Firstly, coal provides affordable and reliable energy, especially in regions lacking access to modern, clean energy sources. Coal-fired power plants can deliver constant power on demand, making them essential in meeting energy consumption needs. This accessibility has helped alleviate energy poverty worldwide, providing millions with much-needed access to electricity.
Secondly, coal plays a crucial role in industrial processes. It is the primary source of carbon used in steel manufacturing, and coal-based coke is essential for reducing iron ores to make steel. Additionally, coal provides around 90% of the energy consumed by cement plants globally, with the cement industry consuming about 4% of global coal production.
Thirdly, coal remains a dominant fuel for power generation, especially in the face of rising natural gas prices and extreme weather events. In 2022, global coal-fired power generation rose by nearly 2%, with the Asia Pacific region witnessing the largest absolute increases. China, in particular, continues to add new coal-fired power plants to its grid, driven by energy security concerns.
Finally, coal is critical for energy security in several countries. Many nations feel they have little choice but to continue using coal for power generation, given the ever-increasing energy demand.
While coal is essential to global energy production, it is also the most polluting energy source. To address climate change and improve human health, transitioning away from coal is imperative. However, this transition must be carefully managed to ensure energy security and access for all.
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Frequently asked questions
Oil, coal and natural gas are the most used fossil fuels, with oil and coal dominating the energy mix.
Fossil fuels account for over 80% of the world's energy consumption. In 2023, fossil fuels made up 82% of the global energy mix.
Fossil fuels have contributed significantly to climate change and are the largest driver of global climate change. They are also a major contributor to local air pollution, which is linked to millions of premature deaths each year.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower can meet the world's energy needs. Nuclear energy is also a low-carbon alternative.
