Today we’re talking about fossils, specifically fossil fuels: oil, gas and coal have long propelled our society forward by powering industries and means of transportation; they heat our homes and still generate most of the electricity produced worldwide. Soon, however, fossil fuels may be permanently replaced by new energy sources and become – in this case, yes, just fossils! The era of renewable sources So here we are in the midst of a new era of clean, renewable energy. Sun, wind, water – these are the new rock stars that will replace old fossil fuels. A recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that in 2023, investment in clean energy technologies will reach a staggering $1.8 trillion worldwide. What this means in concrete terms is that investment in the energy sector is increasingly shifting away from fossil fuels and toward renewables: proof positive that the energy transition is in full swing! And solar energy? Its popularity is skyrocketing, with a record investment of more than $1 trillion. All this means that we’re witnessing a momentous change. Renewables are no longer just an appealing idea; on the contrary, they’re now an efficient, safe and, above all, clean energy source – a viable alternative to the use of fossil fuels. And it’s the only way forward in trying to limit the effects of global warming. Full steam ahead with wind and solar This is confirmed by another report, prepared by the independent energy think tank Ember, whose experts have no doubt: 2023 is the year when the downward slope of the fossil fuel curve began, with wind and solar leading the rise of the renewables curve. In fact, data in the analysis shows record growth in wind and solar power, which accounted for 12% of global energy production in 2022. Photovoltaics was the fastest growing technology, with a 24% increase over the previous year. Everything solved, then? No, there’s still much to be done. We need to build new infrastructure, find increasingly efficient technologies to conserve energy, and make sure that everyone has access to these clean and affordable forms of energy. And for this we need everyone to be involved and committed: from industry, to the world of research; from politics to the actions that each person takes on a daily basis. We’re well on our way to saying goodbye forever to fossil fuels and embracing clean energy. Each one of us has a key role to play in this path to the energy transition!
