Promises of a shift to renewable energy have failed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, with global coal, oil and gas still dominating the energy mix.
Andrew Nikiforuk reports for The Tyee.
In short:
- Coal production hit record highs in 2023, with fossil fuels still providing 82% of global energy despite renewable growth.
- Experts argue that energy "transitions" often add new sources rather than replace old ones, accelerating overall consumption.
- French historian Jean-Baptiste Fressoz and others suggest that true solutions require drastically reducing energy and material use, not relying on technological fixes.
Key quote:
“The energy transition is a slogan but not a scientific concept.”
— Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, historian
Why this matters:
Relying on renewable energy without addressing consumption may intensify climate impacts. Without reducing energy use, global systems risk collapse under the strain of resource scarcity and environmental crises.
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