Here's how to think in round numbers about fossil fuels and CO2 emissions. In 2022 we've consumed about 8 billion tons of coal, 4 billion tons of oil and 3 bil

Here's how to think in round numbers about fossil fuels and CO2 emissions. In 2022 we've consumed about 8 billion tons of coal, 4 billion tons of oil and 3 billion tons of natural gas. The carbon content of these fossil fuels is about 75%, 85% and 75% [4]. Overall about 6 billion tons of carbon come from coal and another 6 billion tons from oil and gas combined. Since one atom of carbon (mass = 12) produces one molecule of CO2 (mass = 12+2*16=44), we get that 12 billion tons of carbon emit about 44 billion tons of CO2. This accounts for about 90% of all the greenhouse emissions (about 50 billion equivalent tons of CO2). There are about 30 million seconds in one year. That means we burn about 400 tons of carbon per second. Carbon has an energy content of about 33 MJ/kg, so that's about 13000 GW (thermal). It's more than that, because the hydrogen in oil and natural gas contribute too, so let's say it's about 15000 GW thermal. If we want to replace all this with solar panels and wind turbines and nuclear power, we need somehow to come up with 15000 GW of installed capacity. For comparison the world has added about 300 GW of solar and wind capacity in 2022 [5]. At this pace it would take us 50 years. The pace will increase for sure, but on the other hand the world will consume more energy too. Well, this is where we are. Draw your own conclusions. [1] https://www.iea.org/news/the-world-s-coal-consumption-is-set-to-reach-a-new-high-in-2022-as-the-energy-crisis-shakes-markets https://www.iea.org/news/the-world-s-coal-consumption-is-set... [2] https://yearbook.enerdata.net/crude-oil/world-production-statistics.html https://yearbook.enerdata.net/crude-oil/world-production-sta... [3]https://www.statista.com/statistics/265344/total-global-natural-gas-production-since-1998/#:~:text=Global%20natural%20gas%20production%20amounted,to%20increase%20in%20the%20future https://www.statista.com/statistics/265344/total-global-natu.... [4] https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/biomass-energy-resources/reference-biomass/facts-figures/carbon-emissions-of-different-fuels/ https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/b... [5] https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/03/22/new-global-solar-capacity-additions-hit-191-gw-in-2022-says-irena/#:~:text=2022-,New%20global%20solar%20capacity%20additions%20hit%20191%20GW%20in%202022,Renewable%20Energy%20Agency%20(IRENA) https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/03/22/new-global-solar-capa....