Renewables + energy storage tech are good enough substitutes
Solar and wind are already significantly cheaper just in cash terms than any other form of energy generation. Hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal are more expensive than gas but offer none of the carbon drawbacks once construction is complete. Nuclear is significantly more expensive, has significant drawbacks in terms of waste management and the carbon cost of construction is very high but is “always on”.
Basically, there is neither an environmental case for fossil fuels and there’s no longer an economic one either, and the gap is widening each year as battery and generation technology advances.
Solar and wind are already significantly cheaper just in cash terms than any other form of energy generation. Hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal are more expensive than gas but offer none of the carbon drawbacks once construction is complete. Nuclear is significantly more expensive, has significant drawbacks in terms of waste management and the carbon cost of construction is very high but is “always on”.
Basically, there is neither an environmental case for fossil fuels and there’s no longer an economic one either, and the gap is widening each year as battery and generation technology advances.