Will the fossil fuel era ever end?

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The ambitious targets set at the Paris climate conference (COP 21) and the resultant “first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal” adopted by 195 countries there, looks poised to remain just but a dream as long as fossil fuels remain the main source of energy in the world.

The ambitious targets set at the Paris climate conference (COP 21) and the resultant “first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal” adopted by 195 countries there, looks poised to remain just but a dream as long as fossil fuels remain the main source of energy in the world.

ENVIRONMENT WITH CHIPO MASARA

The past three centuries have been powered by coal, oil and gas and although serious concerns about their environmental costs have arisen, fossil fuels still provide substantial economic benefits for both developed and developing nations. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, of the approximately 65% global greenhouse gas emissions generated by fossil fuel combustion, coal is responsible for 45%, oil for 35%, and natural gas for 20%.

While there are some in power that are slowly beginning to understand that the continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels to power growth will result in the planet getting roasted, there are many more that don’t buy into this narrative.

In order to prevent global temperatures from rising two degrees or more above pre-industrial level — a dive into what is believed to be an unsustainable future — scientists say most of the remaining fossil fuels need to be left in the ground either forever or at least until there’s an affordable and scalable way to stop the exhaust gases from building up in the atmosphere.

But while there appears some will to move towards a fossil-free future that is cleaner, greener and sustainable — one that avoids climate Armageddon — the idea of abandoning growth and forcing living standards to decline, is one that many find hellishly difficult.

People have become so accustomed to the life of comfort that the fossil fuels have afforded, so much that not many are prepared to imagine cutting back on smartphones, tablets and laptops, which are currently being made and powered by fossil fuels, or a return to the days before gas cookers and washing machines.

The reason why fossil fuel companies continue to be in business is because people want the products that fossil fuels make and power. It is not just a question of supply, it is also a question of demand.

On the other hand, it is without question that Africa’s energy consumption is set to rise.

Countries like Zimbabwe have an abundance of coal reserves, while nations such as Angola and Nigeria are significant oil exporters — and there seems to be every intention to make full use of the resources, in an endeavour to catch up with the developed world.

The option therefore, that African nations skip fossil fuels entirely and move straight to renewables, especially solar energy, is one too costly for most countries to even contemplate. The fact that most developed nations are not committed to providing funding to developing nations for climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives makes the continued burning of the fossil fuels that much a necessity.

And then there are politicians that think like the US Republican party nominee, Donald Trump. If elected into office, Trump pledged to deregulate the American fossil fuel industry, decrying the cost of renewable energy and promised American energy independence — thus doing away with climate change agreements the outgoing president Barack Obama entered into in a bid to cut US’s greenhouse gas emissions.

It seems pointless to expect a politician like Trump — who is obsessed with power and growth at all costs — to do anything meaningful about climate change.

It would then seem capitalism may forever remain the insuperable obstacle to any reduction in the world’s fossil fuel consumption.

But the picture is not all doom and gloom as there are some countries that are acting on moving towards a fossil-free scenario. Sweden, for instance, is making concerted efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, with the country’s Prime Minister, Stefan Löfvén, recently declaring that he believed that “with a concerted national effort, Sweden could be fossil fuel-free by 2030”.

Like Sweden, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France and Scotland, are also well-suited to end their reliance on fossil fuels over the next couple of decades, with many of their governments having made pledges to that effect.

One thing for a fact, the continued use of fossil fuels has come with dire consequences and poor developing nations like Zimbabwe are set to bear the full brunt of continued greenhouse emissions. Already, loss and damage as a result of climate change is especially being felt by poor developing nations as the average temperature continues to rise and increased incidences of droughts and floods continue to be experienced.

That climate change is a reality is no longer deniable and those who insist on saying it isn’t happening look more and more certain to end up on the wrong side of history.

One thing that currently looks certain, the fossil fuel age will end either when there are newer, better and cleaner ways of providing energy, or when it is too late to prevent irreparable damage to the planet. For feedback, email: [email protected]