How will fossil fuels change over the next fifty years?

Answer 1

Fossil fuels are generally considered oil, gas and coal in the ground. They are non-renewable resources, in limited supply in the world. These basic facts will not change over time.

What is changing all the time, is how we explore, recover and use these fossil fuels. In each of these three fossil fuels, there is continued exploration in areas which were considered too remote or difficult to extract the fossil fuels. The new sources of coal are coming from areas outside of the US. As shown in the related link, production of coal is increasing in China and India and declining in the US and European Union. The table shows production up to 2009 and you may need to search the internet for more recent data.

More petroleum exploration in deep water and hostile environments (artic regions) is likely, however in the next 50 years, I believe it will be more regulated to reduce the chance of oil spills.

There has been considerable controversy on the use of fossil fuels, as related to global warming and other environmental impacts, including acid rain. There has been excellent cooperative scientific research, however countries have had differing opinions on the solution. I would hope in the next 50 years, there is more work towards solutions.

I have included links for petroleum, natural gas and coal, so you can research this topic further.