How do we disconnect from fossil fuels?

Summary: Remove hidden subsidies on other forms of electricity generation and provide accurate accounting and costing for negative externalities. Under accurate, level-playing field accounting, renewables are much less expensive than alternatives and would be built out much more rapidly. read more

The only real way we will disconnect from fossil fuels will be to run out of them. All forces point to greater need and consumption. For all the green talk, there is little action. When we run out of cheap energy, the systems we call civilization will begin to collapse. In an ideal world, we would do as Michael Barnard suggests and remove subsidies. read more

Fossil fuels come in three main forms: coal, natural gas and petroleum (oil). Fossil fuels were created by dead organic matter millions of years ago. Current scientific belief is that society relies too heavily on fossil fuels, which may lead to an environmental and public health crisis. read more

Why we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground – video Renewable technology is moving on apace. Investment in clean energy is growing at a double-digit rate. That is the good news. The bad news is that renewables will still only meet around 20% of energy demand by 2035, even using optimistic assumptions about future growth rates. read more

Disconnecting from fossil fuels should focus first on doing the things that have no downsides and require no compromises, since that's what is most likely to be widely adopted and successful. Or, for example, take CHP (cogeneration). read more

Fossil fuels are non-renewable materials such as petroleum (oil and gas) and coal. In addition to causing local air pollution, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. Moreover, many fossil fuels are reaching their"peak" production, making extraction too expensive. read more