When provided with the facts about fossil fuels’ beneficial consequences — not to mention their potential to improve the quality of life for billions of people in developing countries — energy expert Alex Epstein is certain that even the “keep it in the ground” crowd would reconsider their position.
He knows because he’s witnessed it.
Since the publication of “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels” in 2014, Epstein has seen non-believers in fossil fuels convert to believers. He admits that it isn’t nearly enough, but it does happen.
Epstein utilized logic and evidence in “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels” to show that fossil fuels’ ability to give inexpensive, steady energy to the world is a huge matter – and that the world still needs it.
Epstein is once again addressing emotive claims with well-researched, rational truths, as calls for a halt to fossil fuel production grow louder and more strident. Epstein demonstrates in his new book, “Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas — Not Less,” that the benefits of fossil fuels much exceed their drawbacks, and will continue to do so for many years.
“I am going to make the case that using fossil fuels will actually make the world a far better place, a place where billions more people will have the opportunity to flourish, including: to lift themselves out of poverty, to pursue their dreams, and — this will likely seem craziest of all — to experience higher environmental quality and less climate danger,” Epstein writes in the first chapter of his book.
Epstein isn’t a skeptic of climate change. He acknowledges that fossil fuels have contributed to the 1 degree Celsius warming that has occurred over the previous 100 years, and that they will almost certainly contribute to greater warming in the future.
However, he claims that the benefits of fossil fuel use—starting with the ability to not only live but thrive—far exceed the negative climate implications.
Furthermore, he claims that fossil fuels enhance our ability to manage climate change. Because of the use of fossil fuels, the ordinary individual is now 50 times less likely to die as a result of a climate-related disaster than they were in a world that was 1 degree Celsius cooler in the past.
Epstein notes that fossil fuel-powered machinery are employed to construct weather-resistant structures, generate heat, and cool the air. Drought relief is aided by fossil-fueled irrigation systems.
Epstein writes that “today’s suggested plans to rapidly eliminate fossil fuel use would, if completely implemented, have really apocalyptic implications, rendering the world an impoverished, unsafe, and miserable place for the vast majority of people.”
Not only do I agree with Epstein’s articulate arguments concerning fossil fuels’ current and future relevance, but I also share his confidence about the potential of plainly and persuasively sharing evidence of their importance.
When detractors of fossil fuels are confronted with facts and agree to at least study them with an open mind, they can transform into supporters, if not advocates.
One of the reasons Alex Epstein is so popular in Africa, particularly among young people, is that this generation of Africans is extremely sensitive to elitist and western indoctrination on politically correct matters.
Alex Epstein’s book has taught kids how to think rather than telling them what to think. They see intimidation and retribution from western countries in leading hydrocarbon producing countries such as Nigeria, Algeria, Libya, Angola, and Egypt, as well as inadequate investments across the value chain.
Western countries have continued to invest heavily in fossil fuels despite all of the pledges made at COP26 because they know their economies require them, but they want to force Africans in Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Ghana, Cameroon, and other countries to leave their resources in the ground.
Take, for example, former UN climate ambassador Mary Robinson, who is also a former Irish president. Robinson blasted world leaders for what she regarded as a lack of urgency to confront climate change during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, in November.
Robinson has been making the case for continued natural gas production and use in Africa since then, after taking a closer look at what many Africans and the African Energy Chamber have been questioning for a long time: Sub-Saharan Africa’s widespread energy poverty — 600 million people in the region lack reliable electricity, and 900 million lack clean cooking fuel —
“Africa is attempting to get its voice out about its demands for just, equitable energy,” Robinson told The Guardian. “Of course, it entails some use of gas as a reasonable transition.” “A certain amount of leeway is required to address Africa’s energy poverty and provide Africa with the flexibility to move more quickly.”
Amen. Robinson’s awareness and respect for Africa’s energy need is a significant step in the right way.
The African Energy Chamber has spent years arguing that natural gas is critical to ending energy poverty, growing and diversifying economies, easing monetization, and delivering clean energy to Africans as the continent moves to renewables such as solar, wind, and hydrogen energy.
To say we’ve encountered opposition is an understatement. Concerns about climate change have sparked strong emotions, and Western governments and environmental groups are increasingly urging African countries to switch to renewable energy sources immediately.
They’ve also put pressure on investors to avoid funding African oil and gas projects. They’ve put pressure on multinational oil corporations to halt exploration and production operations in the country.
That is why the African Energy Chamber welcomes a knowledgeable and outspoken proponent of fossil fuels to contribute his voice to the debate over our planet’s energy future. We’re encouraged to have an advocate who uses facts to show that fossil fuel usage, particularly for developing countries, will be necessary well into the future.
Epstein’s “Fossil Future” is just what the world needs.