• Question: Do you think that we can completely switch to renewable energy, or do you think we will always rely on some fossil fuels?

    Asked by fridge on 13 Jun 2023.
    • Photo: Ian Duffy

      Ian Duffy answered on 13 Jun 2023:

      Renewable energy can currently replace fossil fuels in a lot of areas but not all, particularly in transport and heavy industry. The key is to replace as much as possible as soon as possible so that what is left is an increasingly reducing amount of emissions. And technology innovations will be needed to tackle what’s left.

    • Photo: Emma Spooner

      Emma Spooner answered on 14 Jun 2023:

      Eventually yes, but it will take time. There is no single renewable energy technology that can solve the problem, we need to use lots of technologies at once to benefit from all of their strengths. As Ian says, the key is to reduce emissions as much as possible. Capturing carbon dioxide from the air may also play a role in this, but there is still a lot of development needed for this.

    • Photo: Amy Stockwell

      Amy Stockwell answered on 15 Jun 2023:

      Eventually we will have no choice but to stop using fossil fuels becuase they will run out.
      But some areas will switch over faster than others.

    • Photo: Ferran Brosa Planella

      Ferran Brosa Planella answered on 15 Jun 2023:

      It is definitely possible, the question is how we get there and how fast.

    • Photo: Alexander De Bruin

      Alexander De Bruin answered on 16 Jun 2023:

      it is possible, though the transition will cause a big shift in our economy as a huge amount is reliant on the flow of chemicals (and money) involved in the fossil fuel industry

    • Photo: Sharron Kenny

      Sharron Kenny answered on 19 Jun 2023:

      i think the way we produce and consume energy is changing but change takes time and the shift from one form to another will be gradual as technology advances and makes these more renewable and sustainable energies better and more efficient. until they are better and more reliable and can at least match the production of fossil fuelled based energy. the temptation will always be there to use fossil fuel energy.

      also what’s suitable for big cities so far as energy many not work for remote and isolated villages and hamlets and that is why in these places you do see a lot of fossil based fuels and wood burning stoves for heating and such rather than piped gasses because the infrastructure just isn’t there and never has been

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