An Existential Issue

Mar 23

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Thomas Miezejeski Author Interview

Solving Global Warming Will Kill the Fossil Fuel Industry is an urgent and thorough exploration of what happens when one of the world’s most powerful industries meets its inevitable decline. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I spent most of my working career researching developments in new technology and reporting this to corporate executives for them to establish marketing strategies. Climate change is not only the most important issue of our lifetime but the most important issue for our species. I view addressing climate change as simply transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Since I have a great deal of experience analyzing major technological changes, I thought I could add that perspective to the discussion on climate change.

How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?

I spent about two months gathering the economic data for the book. Fortunately, with Google Search and ChatGPT, the information-gathering phase was much shorter than it would be before these resources were available. In the past, I had to spend a great deal of time in libraries of major institutions such as Princeton University and even more time interviewing corporate executives, government agencies, and major players in an industry. I worked in the computer and telecommunications industry when they were transitioning to personal computer and cell phone technology. Thus, I could use this lifetime experience with these transitions to support the major points I discussed in the book. This part of the book was simply a data download rather than a research effort.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

It is now time to shift the discussion from policy issues to the economic justification for the transition to renewable energy. This is possible because all forms of renewable energy wind, solar, and hydropower can be generated at a lower cost than energy generated with fossil fuels.

The fossil fuel industry is so huge, more than $7 trillion, and is so integrated into our economy that there will be significant costs to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Climate change is an existential issue so we must make the change. The cost of the demise of the fossil fuel industry can be somewhat mitigated by recognizing this issue and planning for it.

    What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Solving Global Warming Will Kill the Fossil Fuel Industry?

    We are solving global warming and it’s going to happen much faster than almost anyone thinks.

    Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon

    This is the most important book you can read this year. 5 Star Review by Reedsy
    We cannot stop global warming and still have a fossil fuel industry. 5 star Review by Literary Titans

    The demise of the fossil fuel industry will affect everyone and will have impacts worldwide. The industry had revenues of approximately of $7 trillion If it was a country, it would be the third largest country in the world exceeded only by the United States and China. Or it is larger than the economies of Germany and Italy combined. In May 2024, institutional investors held $4.3 trillion in bonds and shares of fossil fuel companies, because the industry had record profits. But everyone who has a pension or is invested in a mutual fund will be affected when these profits disappear.

    Solving global warming requires a transition from energy generated from fossil fuels to renewable energy. This transition will follow the transition of any other technological change. The change starts out slowly, then reaches an inflection point after which growth is exponential. We are now at that transition point. The exploration and refining sectors of the industry currently operate at a break-even point of about $45 per barrel of crude. Crude oil is now in the low $70s per barrel and will fall rapidly..

    The economies of Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Nigeria, to mention a few, will be affected more than other places. The governments in these locations will lose tax revenue to provide even basic services. International trade and geopolitics will change.

    The cost of energy produced by hydroelectric and wind is lower than the cost of energy produced with fossil fuels. The cost of operating an electric vehicle is about $1500 per year less than the cost to operate a gasoline powered vehicle. While the price of petroleum products is controlled by organizations such as OPEC free market pricing will eventually prevail.

    The writing about this change is already on the wall!

    The impacts of these changes can be mitigated to some extent by an awareness of the key driving factors in the fossil fuel and renewable energy industries and by cooperation between business and government. This book provides an analysis of one of the largest changes in human history.

    Posted on March 23, 2025, in Interviews and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

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