In this blog post, we will examine the limitations of fossil fuel use and the environmental and economic issues it raises, and explore the potential of alternative energy sources.
With the start of the Industrial Revolution in 19th-century England, coal, a fossil fuel, became an important source of energy for humankind. Since then, other fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas have been discovered, and with the development of technologies to refine and use them, the consumption of fossil fuels has increased rapidly. Until the early 20th century, coal accounted for most of the energy sources, but now oil and natural gas, which are easier to transport and use than coal and have become cheaper due to advances in extraction technology, are used as the main energy sources. This change is closely related to the rapid industrialization and urbanization, which led to a surge in energy demand. In particular, the development of transportation and manufacturing has increased our dependence on fossil fuels, which has greatly changed the energy structure of modern society.
Currently, Korea’s dependence on fossil fuels exceeds 80%. However, Korea, which has few resources, is the fourth largest importer of oil in the world, and most of its energy sources are imported from abroad. In 2010, energy imports amounted to US$121.65 billion, accounting for 28.6% of total imports. This high dependence makes us vulnerable to fluctuations in energy prices and places a heavy burden on the national economy. Furthermore, instability in the international situation threatens the stability of energy supply, which in turn can affect national security.
The world consumes 27 billion barrels of oil per year. If we continue to consume oil at the current rate, there will be no more oil left on Earth in 37 years. This is not just an energy problem, but could have a huge ripple effect on the economy and society as a whole. Therefore, we need an energy source to replace fossil fuels, and eco-friendly renewable energy is emerging as a viable alternative. Eco-friendly renewable energy is pollution-free energy that can replace fossil fuels and nuclear power, and is generally understood as one of the elements that make up alternative energy. In South Korea, Article 2 of the Act on the Promotion of the Development, Utilization, and Dissemination of Alternative Energy defines alternative energy as energy from 11 fields other than oil, coal, nuclear power, and natural gas. The 11 areas are broadly divided into eight renewable energy areas, including solar heat, solar power, biomass, wind power, small hydro power, geothermal energy, marine energy, and waste energy, and three new energy areas, including fuel cells, coal liquefaction, and hydrogen energy.
Now, I will explain why eco-friendly renewable energy should replace fossil fuels.
First, within the next few years, the production cost of eco-friendly renewable energy will become lower than that of fossil fuels. Of course, at present, the production cost of eco-friendly renewable energy is higher than that of fossil fuels. According to data released by the Hyundai Economic Research Institute in 2008, the unit price of electricity produced in Korea using fossil fuels is 68.9 won/kW. In comparison, the production costs of eco-friendly renewable energy are 69 won/kW for biomass, 77 won/kW for tidal power, 168 won/kW for fuel cells, 170 won/kW for wind power, and 570 won/kW for solar power. In the case of biomass, the production cost is already comparable to that of fossil fuels. The international price of fossil fuels has continued to rise since 2008. This places a heavy burden on the national economy in the long term and increases dependence on unstable energy supplies.
Furthermore, Korea is likely to be designated as a country subject to carbon emissions trading in 2013. If designated, Korea will be required to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions to less than 5% of 1990 levels. If we continue to use fossil fuels, we will not be able to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to less than 5%, and if this happens, we will have to purchase carbon credits from countries that have reduced their emissions to less than 5%. In other words, the price of fossil fuels will continue to rise in the future, and production costs will gradually increase due to carbon credits. This situation may not only lead to higher energy costs but also cause conflicts between countries.
However, the price of eco-friendly renewable energy will decrease significantly depending on technological developments, application areas, and location conditions. In the case of power generation facilities that use biomass, hydro, wind, and geothermal energy, if the climate and location conditions are right, energy can be produced at a price similar to the current energy production cost of fossil fuels. And with further technological development, this cost will continue to decline. When computers first appeared, they were extremely expensive, but as technology advanced and production increased, prices continued to fall. The same price decline will occur with eco-friendly renewable energy.
Second, eco-friendly renewable energy is a natural energy source that causes little environmental pollution compared to fossil fuels. In the case of fossil fuels, the very act of extracting them from nature can destroy the environment. Coal mining destroys the underground ecosystem, and the abandoned coal mines and rock fragments also affect the environment. In addition, in the case of oil and natural gas, the mining equipment itself pollutes groundwater and the sea, and accidents involving oil tankers pollute the nearby sea and destroy the ecosystem. For example, in Korea, in December 2007, an offshore crane collided with an oil tanker 10 km northwest of Manripo, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, causing 12,547 liters of crude oil to spill. The accident damaged 1,171 hectares of aquaculture farms in three townships in Seosan City and 361 farms covering 4,088 hectares in eight townships in Taean County. The accident caused enormous damage to the local community and economy, and the recovery work required a great deal of time and resources.
Then, on April 20, 2010, BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded while extracting oil in the Gulf of Mexico. The accident killed 11 drillers and injured 17 others, and the oil spill covered an area of at least 6,500 square kilometers, which is larger than the entire Korean Peninsula. Large-scale fossil fuel spills cause ecological destruction and environmental pollution, and the damage lasts for a long time.
In addition, the production of energy using fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas emits carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas that traps heat and remains in the atmosphere, greatly contributing to global warming. The recent frequent occurrence of abnormal weather phenomena is also closely related to the increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high of approximately 36.8 billion tons in 2022, with South Korea ranking among the top 10 countries in the world, emitting approximately 600 million tons.
Before the Industrial Revolution, around 1750, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was about 280 ppm, but in 2023, it exceeded 419 ppm, reaching a record high. Climate scientists warn that the concentration of carbon dioxide must be reduced to less than 350 ppm to maintain a safe climate.
If this level is exceeded, glaciers will melt rapidly, and extreme weather events such as heat waves, cold spells, droughts, and heavy rains will become more frequent along with sea level rise. Such climate crises have a serious impact not only on the ecosystem but also on human health, food security, and the living environment, and are becoming a major factor hindering sustainable development.
Third, environmentally friendly renewable energy is an infinite resource worldwide. Fossil fuels are limited and will eventually be depleted, but environmentally friendly renewable energy has no resource limitations. Solar, wind, and geothermal energy utilize the power of nature, so there is little possibility of these resources being depleted. For example, solar and photovoltaic power generation utilize the sun’s energy, so as long as the sun exists, these energy resources can continue to be used. The same is true for wind power, which utilizes wind. These energy resources are obtained through the natural cycle of the earth, so they can be used continuously without the risk of depletion.
