Burning fossil fuels is a problem. Coal, oil, gas, and other hydrocarbons were produced from plants that grew on sunlight millions of years ago. Those plants took carbon dioxide from the air long ago. Burning these fuels returns that carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
The major uses of fossil fuels are burning to heat buildings, power industry, and transportation. About 7% is used as chemical feedstock and lubricants.
The U.N. Secretary-General’s Searing Message for the Fossil-Fuel Industry, from The New Yorker, Feb 6, 2023.
We can't wait, The Economist, Feb 4, 2023
Is hydrogen really a clean enough fuel to tackle the climate crisis? The Guardian, 7 Mar 2023. Difficult to store and transport. Only 'green' if made using local solar power. Hydrogen is not really a 'source', as it must be converted from water using other sources of energy, such as oil, gas, hydroelectricity, or solar electricity.
How a tax break meant to curb climate change could make it worse, Washington Post, 3/3/23. Hydrogen made from fossil fuels is not friendly to the atmosphere. Hydrogen from surplus solar or wind electricity is OK.
The electric grid is about to be transformed, The Economist, April 5, 2023. Excellent introduction to our electricity utility system. The technological, financial, and regulatory requirements will be immense.
The Clear And Present Danger In The Electric Transition, Forbes Magazine, Feb 8, 2023. "The electricity industry won’t be able to deal with future demands if it remains on its present modest growth trajectory."
However, it won't be smooth. California's grid faces collapse as leaders push renewables, electric vehicles, experts say, Fox News, February 14, 2023.
California could keep the lights on by expanding grid across the West, Sacramento Bee, Feb 28, 2023. "Expanding California’s electricity grid to cooperate with neighboring states would bolster reliability and affordability while reducing carbon emissions, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded in a new report."
But the U.S. power grid doesn’t have enough capacity, and it is in general a mess, NY Times, Mar 2, 2023.
Electrifying almost everything is a formidable task, NY Times, April 14, 2023