The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels

Imagine a conversation at a bustling farmers market, where a young environmental activist challenges a man who studies energy. She assumes anyone defending fossil fuels must be paid off, a reflection of the widespread belief that fossil fuels are an addiction leading inevitably to disaster. But what if that belief is based on a misunderstanding of history and evidence? Since the 1970s, experts have repeatedly warned of catastrophic resource depletion, pollution, and climate change due to fossil fuel use. They predicted that by the 1990s, oil and natural gas would run out, that pollution would make cities unlivable, and that climate change would bring disaster. Yet, the opposite happened. Fossil fuel use nearly doubled worldwide since 1980, while global life expectancy and income soared.

Take China and India, where coal and oil use increased fivefold or more. During the same period, infant mortality plummeted by nearly 60-70%, and average incomes rose dramatically. Billions gained access to electricity, clean water, and modern conveniences that were once unimaginable. This is not coincidence. Energy is the foundation of modern life; it powers the machines that purify water, produce food, and provide medical care.

How did the dire predictions fail? One reason is the remarkable ability of human ingenuity to create new resources. While fossil fuels are finite, the amount considered economically recoverable depends on technology and market conditions. Over time, proven reserves of oil and gas have increased, not decreased, because new extraction methods and discoveries have expanded what we can access. We have not scraped the bottom of the barrel; we have simply redefined where the barrel begins.

This history teaches an important lesson: Energy is not just a commodity; it is the lifeblood of civilization and the key to human flourishing. The moral question is not whether to use fossil fuels, but how to use them wisely to maximize human well-being. As we move forward, it is essential to understand the real story behind fossil fuels — one of progress, resilience, and hope — rather than the simplified narrative of doom.

With this understanding, we can begin to explore the global energy challenge and why cheap, reliable energy remains essential for billions. Let us now turn to the next chapter, where we delve into the complexities of energy supply and demand for our modern world.