Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 250 

The Top 15 Environmental Concerns: Reducing Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels

As you could likely guess, there is a whole list of environmental concerns that we are face with in our modern world. When you look at this list, it is easy to see why people are completely overwhelmed and feel as if their individual action makes no difference. 

At the top of that list is our dependence on fossil fuels. That dependence is directly related to why our ice caps are melting. But, as with most things, there is something we can actually do about it. It may require some modifications to your lifestyle, and perhaps a transition to renewable energy, but it is entirely possible. That is how we go from doom to empowerment. It is truly worth the effort. So join me for episode 250 which focuses on reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. 

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E250 which is part two in a series of episodes where I am focusing on the top 15 environmental concerns of our time. This episode focuses on how to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. 

The Rejuvenation of the Chicago River

It should not be a surprise that the rivers that flow through our major cities are some of the most polluted waters in the world. A combination of dumping and pollute decade after decade results is water that is virtually lifeless and far too polluted for swimming or any other activity. But, following the passage of the 1972 Clean Water Act, things began to change and the Chicago River is a prime example. 

Before the development of the railway systems, commercial goods had to arrive into major cities by boat or barge. In order to accommodate this, engineers designed canals which required dredging up the river bed and lining it with steel panels and concrete. Virtually overnight, the plants and wildlife that depended on the river bank were eliminated. On top of that the river was basically used as a dumping ground and sewage disposal system which resulted in massive algae blooms which further choked off the local ecosystem. 

But a number of initiatives and civic investments have changed all of that. Storm water management and sewage storage systems were modernized to prevent runoff. An eco-park was designed to support local plant and wildlife species. Instead of 5 species of fish there are now 77 species living in the Chicago River as well as turtles and fresh water mussels. Instead of a stinking, toxic river, it is now a pleasant place to walk and spend some time. 

Various aspects of this project started back in 1972. This  is a prime example of how we can reverse some of our  environment damage if we put our minds and our money in the right place.

Now, let’s move on to this week’s episode. 

I remember when I was around nine or ten years old I had a nice little yard maintenance business that provided me with a fair amount of extra money. At the time I was too young to drive so when I need gasoline for the lawn mower, I would hook the gas tank to the handle bars of my bicycle and off I would go to the gas station. I remember spending less than 50 cents to fill my tank. That was enough gasoline to last me a couple of months. The point being is that my bicycle was my only means of transportation and it cost me nothing to maintain it because it was powered by my legs. 

In my early teens I first starting hearing about climate change. At the time, I thought it was a rather novel, and perhaps improbable scenario, that human activity could possibly change the climate of an entire planet. But here we are 50 years later and I am realizing just how naive I was at the time. 

Presently it is our dependence on fossil fuels that is one of the top 15 environmental concerns of our time. That being said, I always look at situations such as this and like to ask “How did we get here?” If the use of fossil fuels is so detrimental to the health of our planet, and perhaps the future of humanity, why are we still dependent on this energy source? 

Dependence on Fossil Fuels

1. Historical Development

• The Industrial Revolution was built on coal, then oil and gas. These fuels provided cheap, dense, and portable energy that powered factories, trains, ships, and later cars and planes.
• Entire economies and societies grew around fossil fuels, locking them in as the foundation of modern civilization.

2. Energy Density & Reliability

• Fossil fuels are energy-dense (a small amount produces a lot of energy).
• They’re also reliable and easy to store and transport compared to renewables such as solar or wind, which depend on weather and storage technology.

3. Infrastructure Lock-In

• Our global systems—power plants, cars, trucks, planes, heating systems, factories—were designed for fossil fuels.
• Transitioning to alternatives means rebuilding huge portions of this infrastructure, which is costly and slow.

4. Economic & Political Power

• The fossil fuel industry is one of the largest and most profitable sectors in the world.
• Governments have historically subsidized oil, gas, and coal, keeping prices artificially low and discouraging alternatives.
• Geopolitical power (e.g., oil-producing nations) has also reinforced fossil fuel dominance.

5. Consumer Lifestyle & Convenience

• Cars, plastics, cheap electricity, air travel, and modern agriculture all depend heavily on fossil fuels.
• People are accustomed to the convenience and low cost that fossil fuels have historically provided.

6. Slow Transition to Alternatives

• Renewables are growing fast, but they’re relatively new compared to 150+ years of fossil fuel reliance.
• Challenges remain in energy storage, grid updates, and scaling production.
• Fossil fuels are still cheaper in many places, especially where renewable infrastructure is limited.

✅ In short: Fossil fuels dominate as our primary energy source because they have always been the easiest, cheapest, and most powerful source of energy when we built modern society. That “lock-in” effect makes change difficult, even though practical alternatives now exist. Even though we have the ability to power the entire planet on renewable energy, will still rely on fossil fuels. Additionally, the transition to all renewables would require changes in our lifestyles and people are hesitant to sacrifice, or maybe even give up how they presently live. 

🌍 How We Can Reduce Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels

• The opportunity: a transition to cleaner, renewable, resilient energy. Our energy and climate future has not yet been decided. Although we could have made a significant difference decades ago, we are still not past the point of no return. Regardless of what anyone says, the science is there to back up the fact that we need to change. 

1. Why We Must Reduce Dependence

• Environmental: CO₂ emissions → global warming, extreme weather.
• Health: air pollution linked to respiratory and heart disease.
• Economic: price spikes, reliance on unstable regions, job risks in outdated industries. Even though the United States produces more oil than any other country in the world, the price of that oil is determined by the world market, NOT what is going on in the US. 
• Security: I want to present something that most people never think about when it comes to our sources of energy. If we depend on someone else for our energy, then we are subject to the conditions, and the volatility of the world market. If we produce our own energy, this strengthens our national security. Similarly, if you run your entire residence off of renewable energy and are not dependent on the power grid, this increases your own personal security.
• Price shocks: Since we live in a global economy, any one little thing that happens to affect that economy automatically hikes up oil prices. Consequently, the price of every other commodity goes up as well because this affects the price of production and delivery. 

2. Key Solutions

I think it is rather obvious that the key solution to our predicament is to transition to renewable energy simply because the resource base is abundant. 

A. The Resource Base is Abundant

• Solar Power: Every hour, the sun delivers more energy to Earth than humanity uses in an entire year. Covering less than 1% of global land with solar panels could power the planet.
• Wind Power: Wind resources (onshore + offshore) could supply several times current electricity demand. Offshore wind in particular is steady and close to population centers.
• Hydropower: Already the largest renewable source. It can also serve as large-scale energy storage through pumped hydro.
• Geothermal: Reliable, always-on energy tapped from Earth’s heat.
• Other sources: Wave and tidal power add regional diversity.
• Solar ☀️ and wind 🌬️ are now cheaper than fossil fuels in many regions.
• Geothermal & hydro provide reliable base load.
• Storage batteries make renewables dependable. Takeaway: The physical energy resource is not the limit — it’s our systems, infrastructure, and politics that matter most.

B. Technology is Mature and Getting Cheaper

• Solar and wind are now the cheapest new electricity sources in most of the world.
• Energy storage (batteries, pumped hydro, hydrogen) is scaling rapidly, solving the “intermittency” problem.
• Smart grids can balance supply and demand across regions.
• Electrification of transport, heating, and industry reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

C. Integration is Achievable

Integration of renewable energy is achievable. Although I will admit that is not without some challenges. But such an energy transition creates: 

• Diversification: Combining solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal smooths out supply.
• Storage & Flexibility: Batteries, hydrogen, thermal storage, and flexible demand make 24/7 renewable power realistic.
• Global Interconnection: Supergrids (long-distance high-voltage transmission lines) can move power across time zones and weather systems.

3. Making the Transition?

1. Policy and Systematic Changes 

Now the first thing I want to mention is likely going to make you roll your eyes. But I am going to mention it anyway. Obviously if we are going to make a complete transition to renewable energy in many ways it is going to have to be from the top down. This means systemic and policy changes, which of course translate into government intervention. 

We know that we can’t wait for government officials to get finished with their eternal board meeting. But, there are things that could happen. 

-Incentives for renewable energy

-Carbon taxes

-Incentive and EVs

-Ending incentives that favor fossil fuels

-Investments in renewable infrastructure, which will have to be massive

-Legislation that supports clean energy targets

-Investments to improve public transportation 

1.  Real-World Evidence

Now if you think this is not possible, let’s look at some real world examples. 

• Iceland: Almost 100% renewable (hydro + geothermal).
• Costa Rica: Runs for months at a time on renewable energy.
• Denmark: More than 50% of its electricity comes from wind.
• U.S. Cities (e.g., Burlington, Vermont; Aspen, Colorado): Already 100% renewable electricity.
• China & India: Investing more in solar and wind than in new coal plants. 

The examples above clearly show renewable energy is possible to scale up and run an entire country. So, it is possible to change our energy future. That of course will require the cooperation of big business and big government. 

While all of that sounds great, let’s make it a bit more personal. While we are waiting for the major powers to actually do something productive, I am going to give you an action plan for how you can make that transition for yourself. 

Every little thing we do not only makes a difference but also serves as a means to inspire someone else to make changes as well. So, let’s dive into a simple plan where you can make a slow transition to renewable energy over a period of a couple of years. 

C.🌞⚡ Step-by-Step Action Plan to Go Renewable

1) Set your goal and baseline (today)

• Download your last 12 months of utility bills. Note:
• Electricity (kWh/month) 
• Gas/propane (therms or gallons/month) 
• Average monthly cost
• Pick a target: e.g., “Cut total energy use 20% in 12 months,” “Get to 100% clean electricity this year,” or “Electrify 3 major appliances in 3 years.”
• Create a simple tracker (sheet or app) to log monthly kWh/therms and big actions taken.

2) Cut wasted energy first (week 1–4)

Efficiency is the cheapest “renewable energy source.” What this means is that the greenest energy is the energy you never use. 

• Fix easy leaks: weather-strip doors, add door sweeps, caulk obvious gaps, close fireplace dampers when not in use.
• Replace all of your lighting with LEDs.
• Smart power strips for TV/office; Make it your goal to eliminate vampire loads, which is all the electricity usage that occurs just because we leave all of our devices plugged in all the time. Some source state that this can be as much as 10% of your utility bill. Imagine if you reduced your energy usage by 10% that would be the equivalent of getting over one month of free utilities per year. 
• Thermostat: winter 68°F (lower at night), summer 78–80°F (higher when away). Use scheduling.
• Replace clogged HVAC filters; clean fridge coils; set fridge 37–40°F / freezer 0–5°F.
• Book a home energy audit if available; many utilities subsidize blower-door tests and insulation upgrades.

3) Switch your electricity to clean sources (week 1–6)

Pick the best path available to you:

• Green power/REC, renewable energy certificate program: Many utilities offer a “100% renewable” or “wind/solar” tariff you can opt into online—usually minutes to enroll.
• Community solar or shared solar: Subscribe to a local project; you get credits on your bill without owning panels (great for renters or residences that have shaded roofs which negates the use of solar panels).
• Rooftop solar (homeowners):
   
  • Check the age of your roof, note any shading throughout the day, and verify the structural readiness of your roof to handle the load of solar panels. 
• Get 3 quotes from solar providers; ask about the kWs per panel, expected kWh/yr, warranty, and the cost of the entire set up per W. All of this effects the economic viability of your proposed project.  all-in. 
• Consider adding conduit or a combiner box now if you plan future electrification of additional appliances which of course will affect the electrical load. 

4) Electrify what you can, in the right order (months 2–24)

Electrification lets your home run on clean power as the grid decarbonizes.

• Space heating & cooling: Replace furnace/AC with a cold-climate heat pump at end of life (or earlier if rebates are strong). Seal ducts and insulate first for best results.
• Water heating: Heat pump water heater (HPWH). If panel capacity is tight, look for lower-amp or 120-V models. The other thing that is also very viable, switch to an on-demand electric water heater. 
• Cooking: Move to induction (full range or a $60–$100 countertop unit). This will improve your energy efficiency by about 10%.
• Laundry: Heat pump dryer (ventless options for apartments). These dryers recycle the warm air and use it over and over to help dry clothes instead of expelling warm air. 
• Misc: Swap gas lawn tools for electric; consider an electric grill or induction grill plate.
• Transport: Prioritize fewer car miles. Options in order of cost: trip-chain + transit → e-bike → plug-in hybrid → full EV. Use off-peak/smart charging if available.

5) Add load flexibility (months 2–12)

Make your demand match clean supply.

• Ask your utility about time-of-use rates. This means the cost of electricity can vary depending on the time of day; shift laundry, dishwashing, and EV charging to off-peak.
• Enroll in demand response programs (smart thermostat/EV charger events).
• Use pre-cooling/heating (run the heat pump before peak hours).

6) Storage and resilience (optional, months 6–24)

• Battery storage can back up critical circuits and soak up midday solar. Start with a critical loads list (fridge, lights, outlets, Wi-Fi, medical devices). It is possible to set up a small solar array, with battery back up, to run critical household circuits and not spend more than $5K
• Cheaper resilience steps: LED lanterns, portable power station, and a manual transfer switch for essential loads.

7) Finance it smartly (any time)

• Stack rebates, tax credits, and utility incentives for heat pumps, HPWHs, induction, weatherization, EVs, chargers, and solar.
• Consider low-interest green loans, on-bill financing, or PACE (where offered).
• Get quotes that show net cost after incentives and estimated bill savings. Compare simple payback and total cost of ownership.

8) Choose cleaner companies and money

• If your area offers community choice aggregation (CCA) or a renewable supplier, opt into the highest-renewables tier.
• Move checking/savings or retirement funds away from fossil-heavy institutions if that aligns with your values; pick funds/banks that finance clean energy.
• Buy from installers/suppliers with credible certifications and long warranties.

9) Advocate where you live and work

• HOA/landlord: Use a one-page brief to request solar-ready roofs, EV-ready parking, or permission for an induction range/HPWH. Offer to share results and costs.
• Workplace/school/faith community: Propose a green-power purchase, rooftop/community solar subscription, or EV charging. Start with a pilot and a payback summary.
• Local policy: Support building codes that enable heat pumps, solar rights, EV-ready wiring, and energy-sharing microgrids.

10) Make it stick (every month)

• Track your kWh/therms vs. baseline; annotate big changes (e.g., “installed HPWH in May”).
• Set a recurring calendar reminder to review energy use, adjust schedules, and plan the next upgrade.
• Share progress with neighbors/friends; collective adoption accelerates market shifts. Lifestyle and Personal Choices

Now, the transcript for episode is more or less in an outline format. Consequently, you can download it and use it a guide to reducing your dependence on fossil fuels. 

While this is sort of a general overview, some changes that you can make are much easier than others. Some changes have a greater impact that others. Things such as reducing the use of your automobile, conserving energy at home, doing a home energy audit, changing over to LED lighting are examples that have minimal impact on your lifestyle. Other things such as installing solar, even a small array, are a much bigger commitment. 

But there is one other thing that is especially powerful in reducing our impact on the planet and that is changing the way we eat. By far, the way we eat and how our food is produced has a significant environmental impact. Changing our diets to more plant-based proteins, and cutting back on the amount of animal based protein we consume will have a significant impact. 

For example, a comprehensive analysis found that vegan diets result in 75% less climate-heating emissions, water pollution, and land use compared to diets consuming over 100 grams of meat daily. And just to give you a visual idea, 100 grams of meat is about the size of the palm of your hand or roughly the size of a deck of cards. 

At any rate, this shift could reduce global food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 68% within 15 years, significantly limiting global warming.

Now, you must know I have no desire to be a vegan or a vegetarian. However, I am slowly transitioning to a plant based diet, which means I am eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and plant based proteins and cutting back significantly on animal based proteins. 

But, as I said, there are a significant number of things all of us can do to change our lifestyles to something that is more planet friendly. The end result is cleaner air, healthier communities, stable energy prices and a more sustainable and resilient future. 

Fossil fuels have been the mainstay of our energy for many years.  We have known for nearly 150 years that the burning of fossil fuels would warm our climate. Yet we have done nothing. Whether you realize it or not, our dependence on fossil fuels is not inevitable-it’s a choice.

Of the top 15 environmental concerns that we are faced with today, our dependence on fossil fuels is, in my opinion, one of the most difficult things we are going to have to deal with because it is so entrenched in our society. It is doable, but it will have an affect on almost every aspect of our lives. Regardless, if we don’t change how we are living, we will sooner or later deal with the consequences. 

But, to wrap up this episode, here is a fast 90-Day Sprint toward reducing you dependence on fossil fuels. 

Fast-Start 90-Day Sprint

Week 1–2

• Enroll in green power or community solar.
• LED swap + smart strips; thermostat schedules; weather-strip doors.
• Buy a single-burner induction hotplate and start using it 3–5 nights/week.

Week 3–4

• Book an energy audit.
• Get quotes for heat pump (space) and HPWH; start rebate paperwork.
• Enroll in time-of-use and demand response utility programs.

Month 2

• Implement audit quick fixes (attic insulation/air sealing if feasible).
• Plan panel upgrades only if necessary; many modern heat pumps/HPWHs work on modest amperage.

Month 3

• Choose electrification project #1 (HPWH or ducted/ductless heat pump).
• If you drive, test-ride an e-bike or price a PHEV/EV; set a “replace at end-of-life” plan.

So, as you can see, our dependence on fossil fuels is not inevitable. It is a choice. And for now you actually have the choice to live how you want. What I would suggest is that you get ahead of the game and make some positive sustainable changes in your lifestyle while you still have that choice. Don’t let anyone make that choice for you because that may be what happens at some point in the future. At the end of the day, your choices do make a difference. Together we can build a cleaner, stronger, resilient and sustainable future.