settings Open AccessArticle Enough Metals? Resource Constraints to Supply a Fully Renewable Energy System

Yes. Most stuff requires fossil fuels to manufacture, distribute and maintain. This is because a lot of our infrastructure is based on fossil fuels.

It is possible to make metals, plastics, fibres, energy and anything else without fossil fuels. But it is more expensive. One reason why it is more expensive is that fossil fuel is very cheap. When you burn carbon you don't have to shoulder external costs. Other people will have to pay for pollution and any damages caused by climate change. Typically poor people far away.

Because fossil fuel is so very cheap, stuff that is made from it, directly or indirectly, is very cheap as well. So single use plastic bags is a thing. As is cellphones that doesn't allow repair or replacement of the battery. Food is so cheap that a lot of it is never eaten, it is simply thrown away as garbage. Suburbs based on personal car transportation are possible because cars and car fuel is cheap.

Without cheap fossil we can expect to see a very different infrastructure develop. With more electrification, recycling and repair. And more public or muscle based transport. Less waste, because stuff and food will be too expensive to throw away.

/r/climatechange Thread Parent Link - mdpi.com