There is a lot of talk about energy these days. People want to see more alternative energy such as wind, solar, hydro, or even nuclear.

The reality however is:

Most energy comes from fossil fuels.

Oil is refined into gasoline for our cars. Most cars, trucks, buses, trains run on gasoline or diesel. Most electricity comes from coal, oil, or natural gas. Most lights and household appliances run on electricity. Most products use energy from coal for their creation. Coal is cheap and therefore the choice for producing energy for the manufacture of consumer products.

Likewise in contemporary times the reality is:

As the economy expands, fossil fuel consumption expands.

Even with efficiency gains, it takes more energy to provide for a growing economy. It takes energy to make products, it takes energy to power the functions of most modern products. New office buildings take energy, as do new housing developments. Those new energy sources are overwhelming from conventional fossil fuels.

The reality of all this new energy generation is:

Mass consumption of fossil fuels produces massive amounts of air emissions and solid waste.

Global warming is largely a by-product of our mass consumption of energy. Global warming exists because of our need for power through fossil fuels, and to provide that power to many people across the globe.

We may as a society be in denial of these facts, but that's how things are in our world today. Things could change in the future, but it's a lot more difficult and will require a lot more sacrifice that must people are willing to accept.