Final answer:
More than 90% of the energy today is still harvested from fossil fuels. The combustion of these fuels releases vast amounts of energy but also leads to high levels of carbon dioxide emissions and environmental degradation, showing the need for a shift towards more sustainable energy sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Modern civilization heavily depends on the energy harvested from fossil fuels which were formed from the decay of plants and animals millions of years ago. This is basically stored solar energy. The consumption of these fuels, including coal and petroleum, has led to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions contributing to global warming. Furthermore, the exploitation of these fuels releases a vast amount of energy, equivalent to thousands of barrels of crude oil.
Despite the abundance of solar energy that the earth receives each day, a significant portion of the energy today still comes from burning fossil fuels. It's been estimated that in the scope of modern industrial society, more than 90% of the energy we use daily is sourced from these fuels. As a side note, technologies are being developed and improved to capture and convert solar and other renewable sources of energy more efficiently.
However, the method of harvesting energy from fossil fuels isn't sustainable, nor is it environmentally friendly. The by-products of the combustion of fossil fuels contribute massively to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. This highlights the importance of shifting towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
Learn more about Fossil Fuels