Alex Epstein's "Fossil Future" explains why fossil fuels are necessary for humans to flourish
- In his book "Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal and Natural Gas – Not Less," Alex Epstein argues that fossil fuels provide affordable, reliable energy that has lifted billions out of poverty; reduced climate-related deaths by 98 percent; and enabled industrialization.
- Unlike intermittent renewables, fossil fuels deliver consistent power essential for modern life, supplying four times more energy than all alternatives combined.
- Cheap fossil fuels power advancements in medicine, agriculture, and infrastructure, cutting extreme poverty from 42 percent in 1980 to under 10 percent today.
- A 1 C temperature rise over 170 years has been offset by fossil-fueled innovations (e.g., irrigation, disaster resilience), making societies safer.
- Epstein warns that forcing a transition to renewables ignores economic realities, risking energy poverty and reversing global development. He advocates for fossil fuels as a moral imperative for human thriving.
In his provocative book "
Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal and Natural Gas – Not Less," Alex Epstein challenges the mainstream narrative that fossil fuels are a threat to humanity.
He argues that they are indispensable for global prosperity, providing low-cost, reliable energy that has lifted billions out of poverty and mitigated climate-related disasters. Epstein's argument rests on three key conclusions:
First,
fossil fuels provide unmatched energy reliability. For billions of people lacking access to affordable energy, fossil fuels remain the most cost-effective and dependable source. Unlike intermittent renewables like solar and wind, fossil fuels deliver consistent power essential for industrialization and modern living.
Second,
energy abundance drives human flourishing. Cheap, reliable energy powers machines that improve living standards—from medical advancements to agricultural productivity. Epstein highlights how fossil-fueled industrialization has reduced extreme poverty from 42 percent in 1980 to under 10 percent today.
Lastly,
climate impacts are manageable. While fossil fuels have contributed to a 1 C rise in global temperatures over 170 years, Epstein contends that human ingenuity enabled by fossil-fueled technology has made societies more resilient. Climate-related disaster deaths have plummeted by 98 percent in the last century due to advancements like irrigation, sturdy infrastructure, and early warning systems.
Epstein critiques the dominant view that
renewables are rapidly replacing fossil fuels, calling it misleading. Despite heavy subsidies and mandates, solar and wind provide just three of global energy, while fossil fuels supply four times more than all alternatives combined. He warns that the push for "net-zero" emissions ignores energy economics, as renewables cannot yet match fossil fuels' scalability and reliability.
Moreover, Epstein argues that policies to eliminate fossil fuels would have catastrophic consequences, plunging billions into energy poverty and reversing global progress. He condemns the anti-human framework behind such policies, which prioritize minimizing human impact on nature over human flourishing. Terms like "going green" often mask an ideology that disregards the life-saving benefits of fossil fuels.
Epstein's case is ultimately moral: Fossil fuels empower humanity to thrive. He criticizes experts who advocate for their elimination while ignoring the devastating consequences for energy-deprived populations. The belief that renewables will seamlessly replace fossil fuels, he argues, is a dangerous fantasy.
In "Fossil Future," Epstein ultimately calls for a reevaluation of energy policy, urging society to embrace fossil fuels as a force for good rather than an existential threat. His contrarian perspective challenges readers to consider whether
restricting fossil fuels would truly benefit humanity or condemn billions to a darker, less prosperous future.
Watch this video about the book "
Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal and Natural Gas – Not Less" by Alex Epstein.
This video is from the
BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
Brighteon.ai
Brighteon.com
