— Ch. 1 · Global Fossil Fuel Trends —
Fossil fuel phase-out.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
In 1965, the world consumed a specific amount of energy from coal, oil, and gas. That number has grown steadily every year since then. By 2024, global fossil fuel use continued to rise despite decades of warnings. Data shows that electricity generation from these fuels was thought to have peaked in 2022. The actual figures indicate that electrical energy generated by fossil fuels is still increasing as of 2024. This trend contradicts early predictions about when consumption would stop growing. Many countries are shutting down coal-fired power stations, yet the overall picture remains one of expansion. The International Energy Agency notes that global investments in renewable energy must triple by 2030 to reach carbon neutrality. Without this massive shift, the trajectory set in 1965 will continue unchecked into the future.
Health And Climate Impacts
Professor Sir Andy Haines at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimates that 3.5 million premature deaths occur each year due to air pollution. Most of these deaths stem directly from burning fossil fuels for heating, cooking, or vehicle exhaust. One estimate suggests that 65% of all premature deaths caused by air pollution come from these sources. Fossil fuels account for over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. To meet the Paris Agreement target of keeping global warming well below two degrees Celsius, coal use needs to halve from 2020 to 2030. The health benefits of phasing out these fuels measured in money are substantially more than the cost of achieving climate goals. Yet, without rapid action on coal, meeting the two-degree target becomes impossible.