- Question
How fast should fossil fuels be phased out?
Fossil fuels will inevitably become a thing of the past, but it is difficult to say when that time will be. Should countries and industries begin this process immediately to avoid further long-term damage to the climate or is it better to implement a slower transition over a longer period of time with similar results?
Fossil fuels should be phased out immediately
This position holds that fossil fuels should be phased out immediately. It argues that too much time has already been lost, and that humankind should make a collective decision to begin eliminating fossil fuels as a primary energy source without further delay.
Fossil fuels should be phased out slowly
This position holds that fossil fuels should be phased out slowly rather than all at once. It argues that an immediate global switch to renewable energy is unrealistic, and that abruptly abandoning fossil fuels would inflict disastrous economic damage worldwide.