How do you build a world without oil? | The Scope
People built modern life on petroleum, but at a big environmental cost. The Scope explores the history, scale, and the immense challenge of moving to a future without petrochemicals.
Quick Revision
Prelims-testable facts
- 01The world's oil consumption has been increasing steadily since the mid-20th century.
- 02Petroleum accounts for about 33% of global energy production and 93% of transportation fuels.
- 03The extraction, refining, and burning of fossil fuels have led to significant environmental degradation, including air pollution, climate change, and water contamination.
- 04Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, now account for over 30% of global electricity generation.
- 05The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that the world will need to reduce oil consumption by 50% by 2050 to meet climate goals.
- 06The transportation sector is responsible for approximately 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Trap alerts
- Most people think that renewable energy sources are already sufficient to replace fossil fuels, but actually, a significant transition effort is still required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Many assume that electric vehicles will immediately solve the transportation sector's carbon footprint, but actually, the production of EV batteries and charging infrastructure also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Mains Practice Question
Critically examine the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a world without petrochemicals, highlighting the environmental costs of modern life built on petroleum.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQs
How do you build a world without oil?
- A.By increasing renewable energy production
- B.Through sustainable urban planning and public transportation
- C.By implementing strict regulations on fossil fuel use
- D.By investing heavily in hydrogen fuel cells
The title of the article poses a question, rather than making a statement. The correct answer is 'By increasing renewable energy production', as it directly addresses the challenge of building a world without oil.
What has modern life been built on?
- A.Petroleum
- B.Coal
- C.Natural Gas
- D.Nuclear Energy
Modern life has been built on petroleum, as stated in the article. This is a significant fact that highlights the scale of our reliance on petrochemicals.
What is the immense challenge being referred to in the article?
- A.Transitioning to a low-carbon economy
- B.Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- C.Moving away from petrochemicals
- D.Implementing sustainable agriculture practices
The immense challenge being referred to in the article is moving away from petrochemicals, which are a key component of modern life built on petroleum.