Could we just stop using oil, and what would happen if we did?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Our previous article, discussing what the transition from gas & oil to renewables looks like and how it is to be achieved, got us thinking about the use of oil, whether we could just stop using oil, and what would happen if we did?

Could we just stop using oil?

Fossil fuels and, in particular, oil have been ingrained in our daily lives for hundreds of years; as a source of energy to heat and power our homes, heat our water, fuel our vehicles, in industry and to manufacture day-to-day products such as plastics.

As such, just stopping the use of oil - whilst it may be technically possible - could lead to a number of problems; where successfully and comfortably transitioning from oil to renewable alternatives has and will continue to be a gradual and sometimes complex journey which - as explored in our previous article - needs to consider and overcome a number of areas and issues.

What would happen if we just stopped using oil?

If oil disappeared tomorrow and/or we just stopped using it overnight, the world’s energy needs would be impossible to meet due to the fact that - globally - we are so reliant on it.

Alongside this, and according to global statistics, the world’s oil reserves are equivalent to 47 years, or 46.6 times our annual consumption meaning that, if the world stopped using oil tomorrow, we’d have less than half a century to make a worldwide switch to renewable energy.

The UK and renewable energy

Here in the UK, the renewable energy market is rapidly expanding, with around 40 - 60% of our energy derived from renewable sources [in 2022]. This is extremely encouraging and shows promise in the shift from fossil fuels to renewables; in our infrastructure, as well as public appetite and attitudes towards sustainable energy.

This rising reliance on renewable energy has been intensified by the UK’s recent energy crisis and a need to protect Britain’s energy security - where gas and oil become much more expensive and difficult to get hold of which, in turn, has spurred on a flurry of government and private investment in renewable research, development and supply such as investment in hydrogen and carbon capture, usage and storage.

Arguably, then, it would be easier for the UK to stop using oil than it may be for some other countries across the globe, as renewable energy is becoming increasingly prominent in the mainstream; although, as a nation, we still need further investment in renewable energy and the infrastructure surrounding it to cover the 60 - 40% of energy consumption that still comes from fossil fuels - not to mention increasing the use of electric vehicles and EV charging stations, as well as increased manufacturing of plastic alternatives and other products where oil and fossil fuels are prominent.

UK campaigners and protestors

Particularly prominent in the press right now are campaigners ‘Just Stop Oil’; currently in the news due to a number of peaceful protests the coalition has staged very recently in London.

The group describes themselves as a nonviolent civil resistance group demanding the UK Government stop licensing all new oil, gas and coal projects; recognising that in 8 years, the UK will need to end reliance on fossil fuels entirely and, as such, the group believes that Britain must be insulated, energy consumption reduced, and investment in renewable energy increased - starting with halting new gas & oil licenses and incentivising the fossil fuel industry.

Press coverage of the group’s recent protests hasn’t been especially positive, with a lot of focus on the disruption the group has caused London commuters and, although the disruption may have caused upset and stress to people on the streets of London during the protests, it’s important to remember that any upset caused by these event would have been temporary - raising an important question of short term pain for long term gain - the protestors and their cause bringing to the mainstream the importance of moving away from fossil fuels, compounded by the very short time period we have to realistically do so.

Let’s not forget that, in 1913, Suffragette Emily Davison - much to the public’s shock and dismay - threw herself under a horse at the Epsom racecourse in the fight for women’s rights and the right for women to vote.

Her shocking act has immortalised her as an icon in women's emancipation and, indeed, the Suffragettes’ many protests have gone down in history as iconic, necessary and brave, despite being no doubt uncomfortable, difficult and upsetting at the time; ultimately providing a voice to millions of women and paving the way to huge step changes in our society.

Will Just Stop Oil’s recent protests, then, in years to come, be considered a defining moment (or series of moments) in British protest history? Of course, only time will tell but, whilst just stopping oil overnight may not be possible, what is possible is an increased focus on making renewable energy the UK’s primary energy source over the next 10 - 15 years.