A world fully powered by renewable energy versus a world dependent on fossil fuels.
Introduction
The debate on the future of humanity’s energy supply is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. The decisions we make today will have consequences not only for our generation, but also for our children and grandchildren. On the one hand, we have a vision of a world where energy comes entirely from renewable sources: wind, sun, water, geothermal energy, and biomass. On the other hand, we have the option of maintaining an economy powered by fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas, which have been the foundation of our development since the industrial revolution. The question of which of these solutions is more cost-effective, safe, and fair is not just theoretical. We are already seeing the effects of both paths: the development of renewable energy sources in Europe and Asia, but also growing crises related to fossil fuels in many regions of the world.
Short-term expenses, long-term savings
The construction of wind farms, solar power plants, and energy storage facilities requires huge investments. This is a challenge for many countries, especially if they are heavily indebted or their economies depend on fuel exports. However, once such installations are up and running, operating costs drop to almost zero. Wind and sun do not send bills, and maintenance of the equipment mainly boils down to servicing and replacing components.
The situation is different for fossil fuels. The infrastructure itself—mines, power plants, refineries, ports—often already exists, so entry costs may be lower. But every day the system operates requires ongoing expenditure on extraction, transport, and combustion of fuels. What is more, oil and gas prices are susceptible to market fluctuations, and geopolitical conflicts can instantly raise bills for entire economies.
External costs
Economic calculations must take into account so-called external costs: health effects, agricultural losses, and infrastructure damage caused by extreme weather events. Estimates by the World Bank and WHO indicate that air pollution generated by coal and oil combustion costs the global economy trillions of dollars annually. When these costs are included, renewable energy sources are already cheaper than traditional ones.
The potential of new markets
The energy transition also means new jobs. In 2022, more than 13 million people worldwide were employed in the renewable energy sector. By 2050, this number could increase fourfold. The fastest growing industries are photovoltaics and wind power, but also component recycling and transmission network development.
2. Reliability and technology
The myth of renewable energy instability
Critics often argue that the wind does not always blow and the sun does not shine at night. This is true, but technology has already found answers. Huge energy storage facilities based on lithium-ion batteries, pumped storage power plants, and hydrogen technologies allow surplus energy to be stored and used when production drops.
Smart grids
The next step is smart grids. These enable dynamic demand management: household appliances can be switched on when energy is cheapest and cleanest. Electric cars can act as mobile storage units, feeding energy back into the grid during peak hours.
Fossil fuels and security of supply
A fossil fuel-based system provides a sense of stability as long as deposits are available and policies favor free trade. However, history shows that wars, strikes, and natural disasters can quickly halt supplies. The oil crises of the 1970s, the Gulf War, and the recent gas crisis in Europe are proof that this “stability” can be illusory.
Fossil fuels and security of supply
A system based on fossil fuels provides a sense of stability as long as deposits are available and policies favor free trade. However, history shows that wars, strikes, and natural disasters can quickly halt supplies. The oil crises of the 1970s, the Gulf War, and the recent gas crisis in Europe are proof that this “stability” can be illusory.
3. Public health and the environment
Pollution and disease
According to the WHO, air pollution causes the premature death of around 7 million people every year. Smog, particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides are the result of burning fossil fuels. The costs of treating respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are enormous and place a heavy burden on national budgets.
Renewable energy and quality of life
The transition to renewable energy eliminates a significant part of these problems. In cities where the share of clean energy is growing, air quality is improving, which translates into a decrease in the number of diseases. It is not only a matter of health, but also of quality of life: cleaner air, less noise (e.g., compared to mining) and greater attractiveness of the space.
Impact on the environment
Of course, renewable energy is not without its impact on the environment. The production of panels and turbines involves the extraction of rare earth metals, and the construction of wind farms can interfere with the landscape and local ecosystems. However, when comparing the scale, this impact is incomparably smaller than that of burning fossil fuels. Recycling and innovations in equipment design further reduce this footprint.
4. Climate and long-term risks
Emissions and global warming
Fossil fuels account for approximately 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not reduce their combustion, the average temperature on Earth may rise by as much as 3–4°C by the end of the century. The consequences of this scenario include melting glaciers, rising sea levels, droughts, hurricanes, and loss of biodiversity.
The role of renewable energy
Renewable energy sources are the foundation of decarbonization. They are not enough on their own, but in combination with the electrification of transport, industry, and agriculture, they can lead to climate neutrality. The long-term risk is incomparably lower than in the scenario of continuing to use fossil fuels.
5. Social and political aspects of transformation
Just transition
Changing the energy system is not just about technology. It also affects the livelihoods of millions of workers in the mining, refining, and fuel transport sectors. To avoid social crises, retraining programs, investments in new industries, and support for regions dependent on coal or oil are necessary.
Geopolitics
A world dependent on fossil fuels is a world dependent on suppliers. Countries that control oil and gas often use this as a political tool. Renewable energy, on the other hand, promotes decentralization and independence. Every country, and even every household, can become an energy producer, which changes the balance of power on the international stage.
Energy democracy
Renewable energy paves the way for so-called energy democracy. Local communities can produce and manage energy themselves by creating cooperatives and micro-installations. This strengthens local governments and limits the monopoly of large corporations.
6. Case studies
Germany and Energiewende
For years, Germany has been implementing its Energiewende strategy, which involves moving away from nuclear and coal in favor of renewable energy sources. Although this process is costly and challenging, the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix has already exceeded 50%. This shows that transformation is possible on a large economic scale.
Poland and coal challenges
Poland still produces a large part of its energy from coal. The transition is difficult due to strong trade unions and the importance of mining for the economy. At the same time, however, Poland has enormous potential in photovoltaics and wind power in the Baltic Sea. The choice of direction will be decisive for the future of the country.
China and the scale of investment
China, the world’s largest CO₂ emitter, is also investing the most in renewable energy. It is building solar and wind farms on a scale unattainable for other countries. This proves that even a coal-based country can change course if it sees an economic interest in doing so.
7. Future scenarios
Scenario A: 100% renewable energy
A world powered by renewable energy means cleaner air, stable energy costs, less risk of wars over raw materials, and millions of new jobs. It also means a more democratic world, where energy becomes a universal good.
Scenario B: Maintaining fossil fuels
A world based on coal, oil, and gas means continued emissions, worsening climate crises, an increase in the number of climate refugees, and rising adaptation costs. It also means political and economic risks associated with dependence on unstable markets.
8. The history of energy — how we got to where we are today
To understand the choices we face, it is worth remembering how humanity used energy in the past.
Before the coal era
For millennia, the primary sources of energy were human and animal muscle power, wood for heating, and water and wind power in mills. Contrary to appearances, this system was largely renewable, albeit limited. Farmers used windmills to grind grain, rivers powered mills, and wood—although it emits CO₂—grew back.
The Industrial Revolution
The breakthrough came in the 18th century with the use of coal and the invention of the steam engine. Coal enabled the scaling of industry, transportation, and urbanization. In the 19th century, oil appeared, and in the 20th century, natural gas and nuclear energy. Each of these sources provided unprecedented power, but also brought new problems: pollution, geopolitical dependencies, and ultimately climate change.
Today’s turning point
Today, more than 200 years after the industrial revolution, we are facing another turning point. We have reached the limits of fossil fuel use—not so much technological as environmental and social. Awareness of the climate crisis is forcing a return to renewable sources, but in a modern, advanced form.
9. Sectoral analysis — who consumes energy and how
Transportation
Transportation accounts for approximately 25% of global emissions. Combustion engine cars, aviation, maritime transport—all these sectors depend on oil. The electrification of road transport is already underway: electric cars are gaining popularity and charging infrastructure is developing rapidly. However, aviation and shipping require alternatives: biofuels, hydrogen, or synthetic energy.
A world based on renewable energy sources assumes electric cars, buses, and railways, as well as the gradual introduction of alternative fuels for aviation. A fossil fuel-based world maintains its dependence on oil, which means continued emissions and the risk of price shocks.
Industry
Steel, cement, chemicals — these industries are particularly difficult to decarbonize. They require enormous amounts of heat and energy. The renewable energy scenario uses green hydrogen, material recycling, and the electrification of industrial processes. In the fossil fuel scenario, industry remains a source of billions of tons of CO₂ per year.
Agriculture
Energy in agriculture is not only fuel for machines, but also fertilizers produced from natural gas. The alternative is regenerative agriculture, biogas plants, and the electrification of agricultural equipment. The fossil fuel scenario perpetuates monocultures and high consumption of synthetic fertilizers, increasing emissions of methane and nitrous oxide.
Building energy
Heating and cooling homes consumes enormous amounts of energy. In the renewable energy world, heat pumps, thermal insulation, and smart management systems dominate. In the fossil fuel world, coal and gas are still used.
10. Social consequences of the transformation
Jobs
The energy transition means huge shifts in the labor market. On the one hand, millions of jobs in mining and refineries are disappearing. On the other hand, new ones are being created: panel installers, network engineers, recycling specialists. It will be crucial to prepare workers for new professions so that “energy social deserts” do not arise.
Global inequalities
Not all countries have the same natural or technological resources. Sub-Saharan Africa has enormous solar potential but lacks infrastructure. Europe has capital and technology but limited natural resources. In a renewable energy scenario, global solidarity may become crucial: technology transfer, investment, and cooperation.
Culture and lifestyle
Energy also influences culture. In the fossil fuel world, we have become accustomed to easy access to cars, cheap flights, and rapid production. In a renewable energy world, we may need to adopt different priorities: more public transport, local production, and longer product life cycles. This is not only a technical change, but also a mental one.
11. Ethics and philosophy of energy
Responsibility towards future generations
Using fossil fuels today means shifting costs to the future. It is an ecological debt that will be paid by those who had no influence on its creation. Renewable energy sources are an investment in the future, an ethical decision not to burden our children and grandchildren with the consequences of our choices.
Intergenerational and intercultural justice
Developed countries emitted the most in the 20th century, and developing countries now want to catch up. How can their right to development be reconciled with the need to reduce emissions? The answer may be to support them in building renewable energy systems instead of replicating the fossil fuel model.
The relationship between humans and nature
A world based on fossil fuels is a world in which nature is treated as a storehouse of resources to be exploited. A world of renewable energy can reinforce a different approach: harmony with the cycles of nature, respect for ecosystems, and an understanding that we are part of a larger whole.
12. Crisis scenarios
The climate crisis in the fossil fuel world
Imagine the year 2070. The temperature has risen by 3°C. Sea levels have risen by half a meter, flooding the coasts of Bangladesh and parts of the Netherlands. Droughts in Africa and the Middle East have forced hundreds of millions of people to migrate. Food prices have risen dramatically. This scenario is possible if we do not reduce our consumption of fossil fuels.
The world of renewable energy in practice
Alternatively, 2070 in a renewable scenario: global emissions are close to zero, cities are powered by local solar and wind energy, transport is electric, and industry uses green hydrogen. Climate crises are limited, although the changes of the 20th and 21st centuries still require adaptation.
13. Education and public awareness
The energy transition will not happen without a change in public awareness. Environmental education from an early age, information campaigns, and access to reliable data are crucial. In the fossil fuel world, the narrative is often based on climate denialism and the interests of the fuel lobby. In the world of renewable energy, the emphasis is on science, cooperation, and responsibility.
14. The future of technology — what lies ahead
New generations of energy storage
Lithium-ion batteries are dominant today, but laboratories are already developing sodium, flow, and graphene-based battery technologies. These will make it possible to store energy for weeks or months.
Artificial intelligence in energy
AI can manage networks, forecast production, and optimize consumption. In the renewable energy scenario, artificial intelligence will become the “brain” of the system, ensuring smooth operation and savings. In the fossil fuel scenario, AI will be more of a tool for optimizing extraction and trade in raw materials.
Nuclear fusion
Although the topic of renewable energy versus fossil fuels is dominant, there is another option on the horizon: nuclear fusion. If it can be mastered, it could become an infinite, clean source of energy. However, this is a technology of the future, still uncertain and distant.
15. The psychology of energy choice
Short-sightedness of decision-makers
Politicians often think in terms of 4–5 years, i.e., the length of their term of office. Investments in renewable energy sources pay off after decades. This makes decision-making difficult. The fossil fuel world seems simpler: quick profits, immediate results. But this short-term thinking leads to crises.
The role of public opinion
The more citizens demand clean energy, the faster governments respond. Protests against open-pit mines, youth movements such as Fridays for Future, and local community actions are changing the dynamics of politics.
16. Culture and imagination of the future
Energy shapes not only the economy, but also culture and art. Science fiction literature often depicts future worlds: dystopian visions dominated by fuel corporations or utopian societies powered by solar energy. Our choices will ultimately determine which scenario will be closer to reality.
17. Regional cases — how different parts of the world are approaching the energy transition
Europe: leader of the transition
For two decades, the European Union has been focusing on the development of renewable energy sources and climate neutrality by 2050. Germany began its “Energiewende,” or energy transition, back in the 1990s, developing photovoltaics and wind turbines. Denmark is a pioneer in wind energy, while Spain and Portugal are leaders in solar energy. Poland, although still heavily reliant on coal, is beginning to invest in offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea and photovoltaic farms.
The renewable scenario in Europe assumes local, sustainable energy systems, large investments in transmission networks, and electric transport. In the fossil fuel scenario, Europe remains dependent on gas and oil imports, which means not only economic costs but also political dependence on suppliers.
The United States: between oil and a green future
The US is a country of contradictions. On the one hand, it is the largest producer of oil and gas, and on the other, it is a leader in renewable energy innovation. California sets trends in electromobility, Texas invests billions in wind farms, and New York in offshore wind farms. At the same time, there are still powerful fuel lobbies and regions dependent on coal.
In a renewable scenario, the US could be a global leader in green energy technology, exporting innovation and equipment. In a fossil fuel scenario, it risks falling into a spiral of climate disasters (hurricanes, fires, droughts) and social inequality.
China: giant of both worlds
China is the largest emitter of CO₂, but also the largest investor in renewable energy sources. It builds coal-fired power plants, but at the same time controls the global market for solar panels, batteries, and wind turbines. In the renewable world, it is China that could become the energy hegemon, dominating technology production. In the fossil fuel world, it will remain dependent on coal, struggling with dramatic air and water pollution.
Africa: a continent of opportunity
Africa has enormous solar and wind potential. Many countries do not have extensive fossil fuel infrastructure, which paradoxically makes it easier for them to “leap” straight into the world of renewable energy. Solar panels in small villages provide electricity without the need to build costly coal-fired power plants or transmission grids. In a renewable scenario, Africa can develop rapidly. In a fossil fuel scenario, it will become dependent on fuel imports and will lag behind.
South America
Brazil has been investing in bioenergy (sugarcane ethanol) for years, Chile is developing solar energy in the Atacama Desert, and Argentina is developing wind energy in Patagonia. The region has the potential to be the world’s “green backyard.” In the fossil fuel scenario, it is dependent on oil and gas exports, which makes it vulnerable to global price fluctuations.
18. Polish challenges and opportunities
Poland is a special case. Approximately 60% of its electricity still comes from coal. On the one hand, we have a strong mining lobby, and on the other, enormous potential in renewable energy sources.
The fossil fuel world in Poland
Continuing to burn coal means rising costs for CO₂ emission allowances under the EU ETS system. Poland is becoming increasingly dependent on gas and oil imports, and smog remains a health problem for millions of people.
Poland in a renewable world
The development of offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, photovoltaic farms, and local prosumer installations could radically change the system. Heat pumps and building modernization reduce energy consumption. Poland also has the opportunity to create new jobs in the green industry if it starts producing turbine or panel components.
19. Everyday life in two scenarios
In the world of renewable energy
- Transport: cities full of bicycles, trams, and electric buses; less smog, quieter.
- Homes: well insulated, with heat pumps and panels on the roofs. Minimal electricity bills thanks to local production.
- Food: more local products, fewer imported fruits from the other side of the world, less waste thanks to smart supply chains.
- Leisure culture: more local activities, parks, bike paths, rail-based tourism instead of cheap flights.
In the fossil world
- Transport: traffic jams full of combustion engine cars, rising fuel prices, smog over cities.
- Homes: gas or coal heating, high bills during energy crises.
- Food: global supply chains vulnerable to disruptions, higher prices due to climate change.
- Leisure: still cheap flights, but a growing sense of ecological guilt and restrictions due to climate crises.
20. Comparative economics — what is more profitable?
Hidden costs of fossil fuels
- Health costs associated with smog (treatment of asthma, heart disease).
- Agricultural losses due to droughts and extreme weather events.
- Costs of natural disasters (floods, hurricanes).
Costs of transition to renewable energy sources
- Initial investments in infrastructure.
- Changes in employment and the need for retraining.
- Modernization of transmission networks.
However, in the long term, it is RES that are cheaper: free fuel (wind, sun), no health costs, stable prices.
21. Energy geopolitics
In the fossil fuel world
Oil and gas are political tools. Crises in the Middle East, wars over raw materials, Europe’s dependence on Russia, and China’s dependence on the Middle East.
In the world of renewable energy sources
Energy is becoming more local and dispersed. Instead of wars over oil, tensions may arise over access to raw materials for batteries (lithium, cobalt, nickel). The circular economy and recycling will be key.
22. Psychology and emotions of energy
Energy is not just kilowatt hours. It is also emotions and security.
In the world of renewable energy sources, people feel more in control—they can produce energy themselves (prosumers) and become independent of large corporations and markets.
In the fossil fuel world, people live in constant fear of fuel price spikes, gas shortages in winter, and climate disasters.
23. Education of the future
Schools and universities in the renewable energy world teach young people not only mathematics and history, but also ecology, renewable technologies, and responsibility for the planet. In the fossil fuel world, the narrative remains focused on “traditional industry,” ignoring the coming changes.
24. Visions of the year 2100
Rok 2100 w świecie kopalnym
Świat ocieplony o 4°C, ogromne migracje klimatyczne, znaczna część wybrzeży pod wodą. Polska boryka się z suszami, Niemcy z powodziami, a Afryka i Azja z głodem.
Rok 2100 w świecie OZE
Świat ocieplony maksymalnie o 1,5–2°C. Nadal istnieją wyzwania, ale udało się uniknąć najgorszych katastrof. Technologie energii odnawialnej są powszechne, a energia dostępna niemal za darmo. Społeczeństwa korzystają z czystego powietrza, stabilnego klimatu i bardziej zrównoważonej gospodarki.
25. Raw materials and resources in the energy transition
Lithium, cobalt, and nickel—the new “fuels” of the 21st century
The transition to renewable energy sources does not mean complete independence from raw materials. Batteries require metals whose extraction is concentrated in a few regions of the world: lithium in South America, cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo, nickel in Indonesia. In the fossil fuel scenario, oil and gas were tools of geopolitics; in the renewable scenario, metals are becoming tools of geopolitics.
An important difference is that these raw materials can be recycled. A battery that has served for 10 years in an electric car can be dismantled and its components reused. In the fossil fuel world, burned coal or oil does not return — it remains in the atmosphere as CO₂.
Rare earths and wind turbines
Rare earth metals (neodymium, praseodymium) are needed to manufacture turbines and panels. China controls most of them. Therefore, diversification of supply and the development of technologies that minimize the demand for these elements are crucial in the world of renewable energy.
Water as an energy resource
Hydropower is one of the pillars of renewable energy, but also a source of conflict. Where rivers are transboundary (e.g., the Nile, Mekong), there is a risk of tension. In a renewable scenario, international cooperation is necessary to use water fairly.
26. Technologies in detail
New generation photovoltaics
Solar panels are becoming cheaper and more efficient. Perovskite technologies could revolutionize the market—they are lightweight, flexible, and can be applied to windows or building facades. In a fossil fuel-based world, the progress of this technology would be hampered by the oil lobby, but in a renewable energy world, it would be developed on a massive scale.
Offshore wind energy
Offshore is key for coastal countries such as Poland and the United Kingdom. Offshore turbines produce more energy and are less visually intrusive. In the renewable energy scenario, it is one of the main branches of the economy; in the fossil fuel scenario, it develops only marginally.
Green hydrogen
The production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources has potential for heavy industry and long-distance transport. A renewable world is a world in which hydrogen becomes the new “universal fuel.” In a fossil fuel world, hydrogen is produced from natural gas, which does not solve the problem of emissions.
Smart grids
Smart grids enable the balancing of supply and demand, the integration of prosumers, and the response to fluctuations in production. They are the foundation of the future RES system. In the fossil fuel scenario, investment in smart grids would be minimal.
27. Poland — three paths to 2050
Fossil fuel scenario
Poland continues to rely on coal and gas. By 2050, the EU introduces further restrictions, with emission allowance costs reaching billions annually. Smog kills tens of thousands of people, and energy prices rise. Poland becomes an energy outsider in Europe, dependent on imports.
Mixed scenario
Poland develops offshore and photovoltaics, but does not give up gas as a “transitional fuel.” Emissions are falling, but too slowly. The economy does not take full advantage of the opportunity, but we avoid economic disaster.
RES scenario
Poland invests in RES, modernizes its networks, and introduces retraining programs for miners. By 2050, 90% of energy comes from renewable sources. Poland becomes an exporter of offshore technology and energy. Air quality improves and health costs fall.
28. Europa — scenariusze do roku 2100
Renewable energy sources in Europe
Climate neutrality achieved by 2050. Distributed energy, local energy production, independence from imports. Europe becomes an example for the world and a center for green technology.
Fossil fuel Europe
Global temperature rise of 3°C by the end of the century. Migration crises, conflicts over water, droughts in Spain, floods in Germany. Political divisions between countries that have switched to renewable energy and those that have stuck with coal and gas.
29. Social psychology — how people react to change
Fear of the new
People often prefer the “known evil” to the “unknown good.” The energy transition requires overcoming the fear of change.
The mining town syndrome
In regions dependent on coal, change is seen as a threat to identity. In the world of renewable energy, the culture and history of these places must be taken into account so that the transition does not become a “loss of dignity.”
Hope and vision for the future
Younger generations are more open to renewable energy. In a renewable world, energy becomes a symbol of modernity, while in a fossil fuel world, it becomes a symbol of stagnation.
30. Culture and art of energy
The fossil fuel world in culture
Movies and books often depict cities shrouded in smog, dystopian visions of oil addiction (e.g., Mad Max). Fossil fuels are associated with industrialization, but also with dirt and conflict.
The renewable world in culture
Ecological utopias: cities full of greenery, solar panels on roofs, quiet and clean public transport. This is an inspiration for architects, writers, and filmmakers.
31. Ethics and philosophy of the future
Energy as a human right
In the renewable scenario, access to energy is treated as a fundamental right—everyone has electricity thanks to local installations. In the fossil fuel scenario, energy remains a commodity, often a luxury in poorer countries.
Relationship with nature
The fossil fuel model is based on exploitation and domination. The renewable model is based on cooperation with the cycles of nature. This is a fundamental change in humanity’s philosophy towards the world.
32. Utopian and dystopian visions
Renewable Energy Utopia
The year 2150: climate-neutral cities, nearly free energy, no wars over resources. Societies live in greater harmony with nature.
Fossil fuel dystopia
The year 2150: a divided world, hundreds of millions of climate refugees, wars over water and food, metropolises surrounded by walls protecting them from waves of migration. Energy still comes from coal and oil, but only for the elite.
33. Access routes — how to switch to renewable energy in practice
- Policy and regulations — carbon taxes, support systems for prosumers, ban on the construction of new coal-fired power plants.
- Public and private investment — development of transmission networks, energy storage facilities, electromobility.
- Education and society — information campaigns, school programs, vocational education.
- Technological innovation — support for research into new batteries, hydrogen, smart grids.
- International cooperation — technology transfer to developing countries, climate solidarity.
The big summary: “The Energy of Tomorrow”
After several thousand words of analysis, comparisons, and visions, we can bring everything together into a single, synthetic perspective. Let’s look at what emerges from a comparison between a world based on renewable energy and a world that clings to fossil fuels.
1. Economics and costs
- The fossil fuel world: initially uses existing infrastructure, but becomes increasingly dependent on rising extraction costs, volatile oil and gas prices, and huge external costs (disease, smog, climate disasters).
- The renewable world: requires large initial investments, but later energy becomes stable, cheap, and accessible. Operating costs decrease and the risk associated with raw materials is lower because the sun and wind are not subject to geopolitics.
2. Technology and reliability
- The fossil fuel model provides stable supplies as long as fuel is available, but it makes us dependent on politics and suppliers.
- The renewable model requires innovation (energy storage, smart grids, hydrogen), but its potential is enormous and constantly growing.
3. Health and the environment
- Fossil fuels mean smog, particulate matter, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and further CO₂ emissions.
- Renewables reduce pollution, save millions of lives each year, and improve quality of life.
4. Klimat i przyszłość planety
- Świat OZE daje szansę utrzymania ocieplenia poniżej 1,5–2°C, co ogranicza ryzyka i chroni ekosystemy.
- Świat kopalny prowadzi do globalnego ocieplenia rzędu 3–4°C, z falami upałów, migracjami klimatycznymi i destabilizacją całych regionów.
5. Society and politics
- The fossil fuel world means conflicts over raw materials, dependence on exporting countries, and marginalization of developing regions.
- The renewable world means decentralization of energy, prosumers, new jobs, greater independence, and fairer distribution.
6. Culture, psychology, and philosophy
- The fossil paradigm is a vision of exploitation, industrialization, and domination over nature. It is associated with dystopia, smog, and crisis.
- The renewable paradigm is cooperation with nature’s cycles, modernity, clean cities, and hope for more sustainable development.
7. Visions of the future
- Fossil dystopia: by 2150, the world becomes an arena of climate wars, migration, and disasters. Energy is a luxury, available only to the elite.
- Renewable utopia: a world where energy is almost free and universally available, and conflicts over raw materials lose their significance.
8. Ways forward
Transformation will not happen on its own. It requires:
political decisions (carbon taxes, regulations),
investments (networks, storage, transport),
education and social programs,
technological innovation,
international cooperation and climate solidarity.
9. Final reflection
Today, we stand at a crossroads: do we choose short-term comfort and stagnation in the fossil fuel model, or a difficult, investment-intensive but hopeful renewable future?
The choice is not only technical or economic. It is a decision about civilization. It is about whether in the middle of the 21st century we will be fighting for access to water and breathing dust-filled air, or whether we will live in clean, modern, and resilient cities.
A world based on renewable energy is not a utopia — it is a necessity. And every delay in political and investment decisions means higher costs, greater suffering, and less chance for a secure future.