The Facts About Fossil Fuels and Climate Change

Fossil fuels are the major driver of climate change, releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Their extraction and use also contribute to air pollution and environmental degradation. This article explains what fossil fuels are, the problems of using them and why transitioning to renewable energy is essential for a sustainable future.

July 4, 2025
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Continuation of fossil fuels
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Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, are a big part of our global energy system. But they are also the largest contributors to the climate crisis and rising global temperatures. As the planet heats up, driven by burning fossil fuels, it is clearer than ever that we must transition away from oil, coal and gas. Here is what you need to know.

What Are Fossil Fuels?

Fossil fuels are energy sources formed from ancient organic matter, mainly plants and microorganisms. When these fuels are burned they produce energy, but in the process, they also release significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These emissions are what causes the global warming we are experiencing today.

How Are Fossil Fuels Formed?

Fossil fuels are created through a natural process over millions of years. When dead plants and organisms are buried under layers of sediment, heat and pressure they gradually transform into carbon-rich fuels. Depending on the conditions, this process creates either coal, oil or natural gas.

What Is the Difference Between Renewable And Non-renewable Energy Sources?

Fossil fuels are non-renewable, meaning they are effectively finite within human timescales. This means that we are using them up far faster than nature can replace them. Renewable energy, like wind and solar power do not have the same greenhouse gas emissions, and renews itself, and is therefore a more sustainable energy alternative for the future.

Examples of Fossil Fuels

Coal

Coal is a solid fossil fuel made mostly of carbon. It has powered electricity for over a century. However, coal combustion is one of the dirtiest forms of energy, and is responsible for massive CO2 emissions and air pollution.

Oil

Oil is a liquid fossil fuel found in underground reservoirs. It is refined into products like gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Oil is widely used in transportation and industry and is also one of the most carbon-intensive energy sources.

Natural Gas

Natural gas (gas), is primarily methane, can sometimes be labelled as the “cleaner” fossil fuel. This is misleading. Natural gas is fossil gas, and while it emits less CO2 than coal and oil when burned, methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas. Gas is mainly used for heating and cooking as well as a fuel in industry and power generation.

Read more about natural gas and why continuing using it is not compatible with the global 1.5 degree celsius target.

The Problems with Fossil Fuels

While fossil fuels have played a major role in industrial development, they have a devastating impact on climate, nature, environment and human health. Here are some of the problems with fossil fuels. 

Global Warming and Climate Change

Fossil fuels are the leading cause of the climate crisis, accounting for roughly three-quarters of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. The greenhouse gas emitted from fossil fuels is what drives global temperatures up, resulting in irreversible changes such polar ice melting, the ocean heats and we experience devastating extreme weather every year.

If we are to achieve the global goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, to limit extreme effects of climate change, fossil fuel consumption must be drastically reduced by 2030. Emissions must be halved by the end of this decade. To achieve this, fossil fuel consumption must be cut by 6 percent annually. By 2050, the use of fossil fuels must be phased out.

Extreme weather

Extreme weather events are an effect from a warmer global climate. Scientists have found that global warming causes extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods, torrential rain, tornadoes and droughts. In recent years it has been reported that extreme weather events take human lives, as well as causing massive damages to infrastructure, crops, food and energy security.

Loss of Biodiversity

Fossil fuel extraction destroys habitats, from drilling sites in the Arctic and tropical rainforests. Equinor’s development of the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea for example, will need a pipeline through a protected area of the North Sea. This could harm mammals and other marine life in the ocean. 

Rising temperatures and extreme weather caused by fossil fuel emissions are also pushing species to extinction at an alarming rate.

Pollution

Burning fossil fuels releases pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particles into the air. These can cause respiratory disease, heart problems, and premature death. Waterways near drilling and mining sites are often contaminated with toxic runoff.

Coal, Gas and Oil Will At Some Point Be Used Up

As finite resources, fossil fuels are not a sustainable energy source for the future, as at some point, there won't be any more oil to pump up, coal to dig or gas to frack. By then, we need other reliable and clean energy sources.

Read more about: The impact of the fossil fuel industry: 10 effects of climate change

The Fossil Fuel Industry is Not Listening to Climate Science

Despite growing awareness of the climate emergency and warnings from climate scientists, the fossil fuel industry is still expanding its operations. The International Energy Agency is saying there is no room for new oil and gas development under the 1.5 degree target stated in the Paris Agreement. Still, new oil and gas fields are still being approved. Oil companies like Equinor are investing more money in oil and gas, expecting higher production in the coming years.

Despite knowing for decades that we need to transition away from fossil fuels, the transition is happening too slowly. We have the technology, but financing and political support are lacking. This is greatly aided by the oil and gas industry, which is doing everything it can to slow down this transition through lobbying, greenwashing campaigns, and investments in new fossil fuel projects that tie up resources needed by the renewable energy industry. Instead of investing in renewable energy or holding the oil industry accountable, world leaders are choosing to side with the oil industry rather than protecting future generations and our planet.  

Our Demands for Equinor

To protect the climate and secure a liveable environment and planet for future generations, fossil fuel companies must be held accountable for their contributions to global warming. We demand that Equinor:

  • Stop approving new oil and gas projects. There is no room for new oil and gas developments if we are to meet the 1.5°C climate target.
  • Commit to a full phase-out of fossil fuel production by 2050.
  • Invest in clean, renewable energy sources, not unproven technologies.
  • End operations in ecologically vulnerable and Indigenous territories.
  • Be transparent about emissions, lobbying activities, and transition plans.