Ending Fossil Fuels: Why Net Zero is Not Enough

Holly Buck argues that focusing on emissions draws attention away from the point of production and that it is time to plan for the end of fossil fuels and the companies that profit from them. Fossil fuels still provide 80% of world energy and ceasing their use before there are ready alternatives brings risks of energy poverty. Ending Fossil Fuels offers a roadmap for a more liveable, inclusive future.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2021
Publisher: Verso Books

Around the world, countries and companies are setting ambitious net-zero carbon emissions targets, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero. However, the term "net-zero" conceals a range of possible futures, some of which involve the continued emission of significant amounts of carbon dioxide by the fossil fuel industry, accompanied by the development of technologies to capture and remove those emissions. In her essay, Holly Buck argues that focusing solely on emissions distracts us from the critical point of production, where the real impact of greenhouse gas emissions occurs. She suggests that it is time to plan for the end of fossil fuels and the companies that profit from them. Fossil fuels currently provide 80% of the world's energy, and ceasing their use before viable alternatives are available carries risks of energy poverty and economic disruption. The fossil fuel industry not only provides jobs but also serves as a source of revenue for some frontline communities. Conventional wisdom suggests that as cheaper renewable energy technologies become available, fossil fuels will be naturally phased out. However, this approach raises as many problems as it addresses. Ending Fossil Fuels takes a comprehensive and solutions-oriented approach to addressing these challenges. It explores the potential for renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions while providing economic opportunities and promoting social justice. The book also sets out a roadmap for transitioning to a net-zero economy, including policies, investments, and social initiatives that can help achieve this goal. By taking a holistic and proactive approach, Ending Fossil Fuels offers a vision for a more sustainable and inclusive future, where the benefits of clean energy are shared by all.

Weight: 180g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839762345