The debate over fossil fuels has produced a narrative that is long on rhetoric and short on realism. Those who argue for a complete transition from coal, natural gas, and oil ask us to do what John Lennon suggested: “imagine.” Imagine the world they want and not engage with the world as it is.
However, producing enough energy to meet our needs and balancing this against environmental concerns requires far more than just imagination.
The reality is: The types of “renewable” energy that advocates usually have in mind — solar and wind power, hydroelectric power, “bio” energy, tidal and wave energy — can’t do what fossil fuels do, now or in the near future. Fossil fuels are here to stay, and policy should reflect that.
Since the 1970s, “transitioning” away from fossil fuels has been a significant goal of environmental groups and their allies. According to…
