Fossil fuels still have a role to play—for now

As many governments around the world pledge to be carbon neutral within the coming decades, there is a concerted effort to end the use of fossil fuels. But Sinha believes that fossil fuels should not be phased out entirely. 

“It would be too disruptive to change everything to renewable energy, as the existing infrastructure like power plants are made for non-renewable energy, which means they aren't compatible with sources that provide renewable energy.” 

He adds that part of the reason why fossil fuel, coal and natural gas remain popular today is that they are a reliable source of power. This is unlike clean energy sources like wind or solar, where output depends on natural factors like the weather.    

Remote towns and villages are also likely to continue using fossil fuels, as their populations tend to be spread out into different areas where transmission may be weak. In such cases, energy sources such as diesel, which can be transported easily, are preferred as they provide a more stable source of power.

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Start with educating consumers

Switching to clean energy is not enough to get us to net-zero. There needs to be a multipronged approach towards sustainability, says Aaron Patel, who heads turnkey contractor iHandal Energy Solutions. “Unlike what is understood by many pursuing the adoption of clean energy, there is no quick singular solution [to solving the climate crisis].”

Patel advises organisations not to be too hasty in looking for a clean energy solution. He says they should focus on reducing their current waste and offset that with clean energy. This, in his opinion, is the most economical way for them to combat climate change. 

“We need to focus on educating people about more immediate solutions like better energy efficiency and responsible consumption. These are equally important pieces of the puzzle needing our attention, as most [people] don’t understand how climate change will eventually affect everyone on the planet and future generations. Mitigating [the risks of climate change] is not a job left to others; it starts with ourselves first.” 

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