ABSTRACT
The ability of humans to harness the energy contained in fossil fuels (initially coal) to provide mechanical power (via the steam engine) was one of the basic building blocks of the Industrial Revolution. Until 1900, the quantity of fossil fuels consumed was relatively small, but consumption has since grown enormously. The commencement of mass production of the automobile and the large-scale expansion of electricity production and distribution systems were the main contributing factors underpinning this growth. Consumption continues to increase unabated: more fossil fuels have been consumed in the past 30 years than in the preceding two centuries, and consumption could double again by 2050.2 CO2 emissions from fossil fuel consumption increased by 145% between 1970 and 2004.3
Fossil fuels are the world’s main source of primary energy, providing 80% of commercial energy supply.4 This energy is vital to the global economy: if fossil fuel production were to suddenly cease, economic activity would come to a near standstill in most countries.
