The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels
For decades, environmentalists have told us that using fossil fuels is a self-destructive addiction that will destroy our planet. Yet at the same time, by every measure of human well-being, from life expectancy to clean water to climate safety, life has been getting better and better.
How can this be?
The explanation, energy expert Alex Epstein argues in The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels, is that we usually hear only one side of the story. We’re taught to think only of the negatives of fossil fuels, their risks and side effects, but not their positives—their unique ability to provide cheap, reliable energy for a world of seven billion people. And the moral significance of cheap, reliable energy, Epstein argues, is woefully underrated. Energy is our ability to improve every single aspect of life, whether economic or environmental.
If we look at the big picture of fossil fuels compared with the alternatives, the overall impact of using fossil fuels is to make the world a far better place. We are morally obligated to use more fossil fuels for the sake of our economy and our environment.
Drawing on original insights and cutting-edge research, Epstein argues that most of what we hear about fossil fuels is a myth. For instance . . .
Myth: Fossil fuels are dirty.
Truth: The environmental benefits of using fossil fuels far outweigh the risks. Fossil fuels don’t take a naturally clean environment and make it dirty; they take a naturally dirty environment and make it clean. They don’t take a naturally safe climate and make it dangerous; they take a naturally dangerous climate and make it ever safer.
Myth: Fossil fuels are unsustainable, so we should strive to use “renewable” solar and wind.
Truth: The sun and wind are intermittent, unreliable fuels that always need backup from a reliable source of energy—usually fossil fuels. There are huge amounts of fossil fuels left, and we have plenty of time to find something cheaper.
Myth: Fossil fuels are hurting the developing world.
Truth: Fossil fuels are the key to improving the quality of life for billions of people in the developing world. If we withhold them, access to clean water plummets, critical medical machines like incubators become impossible to operate, and life expectancy drops significantly. Calls to “get off fossil fuels” are calls to degrade the lives of innocent people who merely want the same opportunities we enjoy in the West.
Taking everything into account, including the facts about climate change, Epstein argues that “fossil fuels are easy to misunderstand and demonize, but they are absolutely good to use. And they absolutely need to be championed. . . . Mankind’s use of fossil fuels is supremely virtuous—because human life is the standard of value and because using fossil fuels transforms our environment to make it wonderful for human life.”
Reviews (413)
Clear thinking, excellent arguments
Really enjoyed this book for its clear thinking and excellent arguments. We are bombarded daily with "green propaganda" and it is refreshing to finally have a clear, thoughtful, comprehensive, and moral case for why to use fossil fuels be presented in such a logical and understandable format. The authors insights into the fallacies of the "green" arguments and his emphasis on the incredibly positive contributions that energy has on improving human life were most appreciated. The obvious benefits of using fossil fuels are so enormous and the proven technologies to manage the negatives clearly make the case for the increased use of fossil fuels for the betterment of the human race.
A Telling Argument in Favor of Humans
This is a good book, full of valuable information. I saw an interview of the author, Alex Epstein online and bought the book on the strength of that interview. Epstein is an articulate man, well versed in his subject, with a lucid reason why fossil fuels are good for humans. He points out the energy available in fossil fuels is indispensable to the flourishing of mankind. Curtailing the use of that energy without some other source being available will bring death to billions of people. The dire consequences predicted for using fossil fuels have not materialized. The only dire consequences from fossil fuel usage has been in the computer models, and the models have not been accurate. The slight warming of the past century, about a half degree, has been a help, not a hinderance to making this planet livable. Carbon dioxide is a plant fertilizer. Other than hydro and atomic sources, there are no realistic alternatives to fossil fuels. So-called "renewable" sources of energy, wind and solar, are intermittent, therefore not reliable, and the rare earths needed for building wind turbines and solar panels are extremely polluting. Hydro and atomic sources of energy face opposition from environmental groups concerned with safety or esthetic problems.
Learn about fossil fuels. Read this book.
This is a great book!! It describes everything that fossil fuels have given to the world. Fossil fuels provide us with our wonderful life—our homes, our food, our clothing, our medicines and hospitals, all of our transportationn, computers, cell phoness, etc. You name it and fossil energy is behind it—there is absolutely nothing else on this earth, other than fossil energy, that makes our lives comfortable and safe. Epstein describes the very real problems in the use of, so-called, ‘renewables.’ He explains why converting to them means the death of millions of people around the world.
Learn a fresh perspective about the fossil fuel debate
Too often the public is bombarded by news stories, films and celebrities/politicians stating how fossil fuel energy is an extreme danger to our existence. The mainstream media does not even attempt to show a perspective that might be different from this viewpoint. Alex Epstein has written an intelligent and well referenced book pointing out the growth of industrialized societies due mainly through fossil fuel energy. He raises many excellent points regarding the benefits of fossil fuels. In particular, I was impacted by the idea that United States energy policies against fossil fuels have had an extremely negative effect on economically poor nations. For these people, it is a matter of life or death. The real crime is the elite establishment forcing their agendas on the poor people of the world - people whose lives could be vastly improved by fossil fuel energy. Whether you are for or against decreasing fossil fuel usage, this book is well worth your time to read and become more informed about these issues. Thanks Alex.
Refreshing
Refreshing perspective about one of the most important elements that's made our modern world great. I've heard of many of the difficulties with 'renewables' mostly dealing with intermittency and cost ($ & environment) but rarely do you hear about the scalability when talking about 8 billion people. His main premise is that fossil fuels being cheap, plentiful, and reliable have done the best work for human flourishing and as technology advances the risks are negated. Hardly ever do you hear about a reward/risk comparison when talking about oil, you only hear necessary evils or just end of the world predictions due to climate changes. The issue is the climate IS dangerous but having means ands the ability we can make it as safe as possible for humans.
Good case made for fossil fuels
Epstein makes a good case for the value of fossil fuels, especially in developing countries. And points out, that without them, most Western nations would go backwards into Third World status themselves. The book's a bit repetitive, but worth reading.
Made me think differently
I enjoyed the philosophical argument that fossil fuel is even good for the planet. It seems nowadays we have to be careful of blaspheming against the holy narrative of man made climate change, as if it is criticism exempt.
Very illuminating
I had never thought of the energy debate as one about morals. A basic fight between those who want to better peoples lives versus those who want to better what they believe to be nature.
If you read this with an open mind, I believe you will enjoy the book.
Almost to the end in just a few days. Direct, well-referenced and with historical context on many facets of the topic. Developing countries have as much right to inexpensive energy as today's first-world nations did during their development. The author describes in detail, both historically and currently, how those seeking grants and influence thereby sell their credibility as hundreds of their dire predictions have come to nothing. Predictions of the 70s have us all wearing gas masks in the cities by now and also predicted that Britain would be a near-desert wasteland by 2020. The world was to be soon to run out of oil. So many of these negative predictions failed to foresee the ability to "scrub" emissions, failed to foresee advances in oil and gas extraction, and basically underestimated the scientists and engineers who have accomplished so much in the face of such negativity. Dusting off those dire predictions and holding them up to the light gives us some inkling of how likely the new set of dire predictions may play out. New to me was a detailed examination of research indicating accelerated growth in many plants with the slight increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. One of the best revelations was a side-by-side comparison of global temperature change of the 102 computer models that FAIL epically to predict anything. Only two of the 102 models come anywhere close and even those two overshot reality by a sizeable margin. Truth is: it's complicated far beyond the ability to predict.
Embrace the Revolution!
So great to see a young Ayn Rand disciple applying the technique of reducing two sides of a debate to their underlying moral premises in this crucial area of energy philosophy. Armed with the moral high ground and empirical data to back up his case, Alex Epstein has earned his place as one of the world leaders in providing clarity and hope to those of us who worry about the destructive potential of the environmental movement.
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