Earth Day Series Day 19: Transitioning from Fossil-Economy to Biobased-Economy

by Nathália Fernandes Pimentel* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Fossil fuels have revolutionized our modern society. Before the use of such products, humanity used basic forms of energy, such as biomass and wood. But through the Industrial Revolution, fossil energy has allowed us to experience progress in technology, economy and in our society as a whole.

However, the intense use of fossil fuels has also brought negative impacts, especially on our environment. When burned, fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide (CO²), as well as contribute to air pollution. These consequences have been scientifically proved to be linked to global climate change and the increase of Earth’s temperature.

You can see the progress on CO² emissions dating from 1750 towards 2019 in this interactive graphic from Our World in Data¹:

Although we have been using fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution, around the 1950s our demand changed. Since then, we have increased our consumption, as well as diversified fossil fuels among gas, oil and coal. You may also see this progression in this interactive chart:

But, you may be wondering: this is all common knowledge. Why have we not adapted to a more sustainable economy? Even if we all agree on the negative aspects of fossil fuels, change is not so easy and maintaining the status quo takes less effort.

First of all, technology comes to mind. In order to develop a more sustainable world, energy sources must meet qualities of fossil fuels and many renewable energies do not meet all of them. For example, solar and wind energy are dependent on natural resources. If the wind is not blowing or the sun is not shining, the energy will not be captured.²

This becomes an engineering problem. There are some solutions, such as: power grids that diversify the conditions in which such technologies are installed. For example: if the wind is not generating enough energy in an area, another one may provide it for the grid. Power storage is also a solution, but it can be challenging for longer periods of time. Even with all these solutions, electrifying all the demands for power is difficult. Fossil fuels have the abilities to provide a high density and heat energy.²

The second reason is the most important one: oil companies are immensely powerful. Their lobbying is one of the reasons policy makers have been reluctant to implement adjustments.

Even with the difficulties to electrify our needs for energy, we already have solutions that do not necessarily depend on it.

For example, biofuels can serve as a first step towards a greener economy. For that to happen, we need political changes, and the sustainability agenda must involve important actors in order to be adopted.²

To achieve such goals, we have to stop thinking in one-path solutions and broaden our mind to several possibilities that can be adopted.

We do not have to choose between solar, wind and hydroelectric energy. Or even between electrifying our energy grid or using biofuels. Our policies and implementation solutions must include several options and diversification of our energy sources is the way to do it.

But as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report on the 1,5 ºC goal of the Paris Agreement related: we must begin now!

Transitioning towards a sustainable world is possible and achieving such a goal is doable. But the longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to achieve it. The economic costs will be higher, and the transition will be harder to accomplish.

* By Nathália Fernandes Pimentel, undergraduate student at Federal University of Goiás, majoring in International Relations. Also a volunteer at Advanced Biofuels USA and Intern at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ – German Cooperation Agency) in Brazil, building her path towards a career in circular economy policies and international cooperation.