Final answer:
Burning fossil fuels is currently vital to our energy resources, providing more than 80% of the world's energy. However, the reliance on these non-renewable sources is unsustainable due to environmental impacts and finite reserves, thus underscoring the need for transition to renewable energy alternatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question whether burning fossil fuels is vital to our energy resources is true. Currently, more than 80% of the world's energy comes from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas. These fuels are deeply integrated into every aspect of modern life, not just for generating electricity but also for transportation, heating, and the production of plastics.
Fossil fuels have indeed been crucial to the advancement and standard of living in modern society. The availability, ease of transport, and conversion to convenient fuels have made natural gas and petroleum the preferred energy sources, with coal primarily used for electricity generation. However, the use of these fuels releases large amounts of CO2, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change. This has opened up discussions about the sustainability and long-term reliance on fossil fuels.
Our current energy systems are largely dependent on these non-renewable sources and transitioning away from them poses significant challenges. Alternatives might not be as cheap, convenient, or abundant, thus the importance of exploring and adopting renewable energy sources cannot be overstated. As these reserves are finite and their use has detrimental environmental impacts, the call for migration to renewable sources is strong.