Why aren't we there yet?

After learning of all the problems associated with fossil fuels-pushing CO2 concentrations to dangerous levels,creating pollution at every step,promoting energy poverty,establishing petrodictatorship,destroying quality of life,requiring exorbitant amounts of cash to build the infrastructure,escalating fuel prices,and immeasurable but infinite true costs-in spite of all these issues,we're still using the old inefficient fossil fuel energy system.
Why is that?

Before we can make any substantial shift away from fossil fuels,we need to fully understand why we are still using them.
If we try to move away from fossil fuels without understanding exactly why a clean energy revolution hasn't taken place yet,our efforts will be futile at best,and disastrous at worst.

There are many reasons why fossil fuels are still hoarding a whopping 86% of primary energy consumption in the world today.Who's to blame for that?
Usually lack of governmental leadership hits #1 on people's "culprit" list.
The Oil companies are close behind.
The Coal industry,Automakers,and the Lobbyists are right up there too.
Technology,business,consumer behavior,and downright ignorance (or insensibility) are typically included as well.


If I had to condense all the reasons why were still stuck in this mess down to one,it would be what I like to call the Triple Alliance Theory.
The Triple Alliance Theory is an outlook on not only why we are still stuck on using fossil fuels,but how we can get a clean energy economy in place.
It declares that the three fossil fuels-coal,oil,and gas-have pervaded our society so much that the very core of our society-the government,the economy,and our personal lives have been taken captive by them.

It goes on to say that because fossil fuels have taken such a strong grip on these three sectors of society,it has put us in a gridlock,a "stalemate",where no sector can take action towards sustainable energy because the other two would get in the way.
Think about it.
The government can't change if the voters or the economy won't.
The economy can't change if the government or the consumers won't.
The people can't change if the economy or the government won't.
So they don't change.They do nothing.
And we get stuck in what is called "circular cause and consequence".

The second thing you need to know about the triple alliance,is that if just one sector got separated or removed from the fossil fuel grip,it would change the other two,and we would have a clean energy economy.
For example,suppose the economy got separated from fossil fuels.This would happen if electricity from the sun was the same price as electricity from coal (if you include the true cost of coal,they are already equal;but those costs are not included yet).
Then we would get the "domino effect".
The economy would change the government's policy,and the economy would change people's personal lives and habits.
So,all we need to do is to separate one sector from fossil fuels.This,as we'll see later,requires us to get outside of this circular cause and consequence cycle.

The third thing we need to understand is that to the extent a sector is already involved in, or separated from fossil fuels,is the extent that fossil fuels or renewable energy is used in that country.
Coupled with this is that to the extent that a sector is receiving benefit or profit from fossil fuels,or harm and cost from fossil fuels,is the extent that that sector wants a fossil fueled economy,or a clean powered economy.
For example,if an economy is completely dependent on petroleum,it will pressure the government for favorable policies that would help the oil industry.
The government,of course,wouldn't want to hinder economic growth,so it doesn't aggressively pursue renewable energy,and instead helps expand petroleum drilling and consumption.
Or,on the flip side,if people are experiencing negative externalities in their backyards,so to speak,the people become separated from good experiences with fossil fuels,and thus their outlook or thinking about fossil fuels changes.And they will try to remove fossil fuel usage from that area.

In conclusion,basically we are addicted to fossil fuels because it has thoroughly permeated our government,the economy,and our personal lives-the core of society.
To get that clean energy economy we so much need,we'll have to separate or disconnect one sector,either the government,the economy,or our personal lives from the grip of fossil fuels.
So,are we there yet? No,not yet. We're still going around in circles.