Final answer:
About 80% of the world's energy consumption comes from fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is crucial as fossil fuels are being depleted and pose environmental risks. Current renewable energy contributions stand at around 20% of total energy use.
Step-by-step explanation:
As of the latest data, approximately 80% of the global energy consumption is still derived from the combustion of fossil fuels, which include oil, coal, and natural gas. This significant reliance on fossil fuels continues to be a major factor in the world's energy supply. Despite advancements in renewable energy technologies, fossil fuels remain the predominant source for electricity generation and transportation needs.
Each year, the world uses about 3 × 1017 kJ of energy. Currently, the bulk of this energy—representing more than 80%—comes from fossil fuels. This continued reliance on fossil fuels is due to their high energy density and the existing infrastructure built around their usage. However, there is a pressing need to transition to cleaner energy sources, given that fossil fuels are nearly halfway depleted and their combustion represents a significant environmental concern.
Efforts to increase renewable energy adoption aim to diversify the energy mix. Presently, around 20% of energy comes from non-fossil resources, such as nuclear, hydroelectricity, biomass, wind, and solar. The challenge ahead lies in expanding these non-fossil resources to eventually replace fossil fuels, while maintaining energy security and minimizing environmental impacts.