Hydrocarbons power the machines that sustain our way of life
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From the medical devices that save lives to the food on our supermarket shelves, hydrocarbons and petrochemicals touch nearly every aspect of modern life. Yet, climate activists envision a future without them, striving for the utopian goal of “Net Zero” by 2050.
While reducing carbon emissions is a worthy objective, this vision overlooks a critical reality: hydrocarbons are indispensable for sustaining our modern way of life and enabling global development.
Much of the focus on hydrocarbons revolves around their use as fuel for transport, heating, and electricity. However, their value extends far beyond energy. Petrochemical derivatives are essential in nearly every sector of the economy, providing the building blocks for plastics, textiles, detergents, and antifreeze. These materials are not mere conveniences – they are necessities.
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In health care, petrochemical-derived products play a life-saving role. Plastics are used in syringes, surgical masks, gloves, tubing, and blood diagnostic machines. The outer casings of advanced medical devices like MRI machines, CAT scanners, and DNA sequencers are made from petrochemical-based materials. Without these products, modern medicine would be unrecognizable.
Transportation and agriculture also rely heavily on petrochemicals. Synthetic rubber, derived from styrene (an ethylene end-product), is essential for making tires and components like gaskets, hoses, and seals in internal combustion, jet, and diesel engines. These engines power fire trucks, tractors, and excavating equipment – machines vital for public safety, mining, and food production. Diesel-powered trucks transport food across countries, while tractors and combines powered by hydrocarbons cultivate the land. Without these tools, modern agriculture would struggle to meet the demands of a growing global population.
In construction, hydrocarbons are essential for producing paints, adhesives, flooring, pipes, and insulation. Builders use polyurethane foam and styrofoam – both petrochemical products – for insulating homes and offices, reducing energy consumption. Ironically, these materials also play a significant role in renewable energy infrastructure. Solar panels, wind turbines, and high-efficiency windows incorporate petroleum-based products, making hydrocarbons indispensable to the climate movement’s own goals.
Plastics, derived from petrochemicals, present both opportunities and challenges. While they enable a vast array of products, from food packaging to geotechnical fabrics for slope stabilization, plastics also contribute to growing waste. Critics often cite this as a reason to abandon plastics entirely. However, as the journal Nature points out, current recycling programs are largely ineffective. Alternatives like waste-to-energy conversion and bacterial digestion offer promising solutions but require investment and innovation.
Completely abandoning plastics without viable replacements would be damaging, especially for emerging economies. Petrochemical-derived materials are vital for building infrastructure, improving health care, and enabling technological advancement in less-developed nations. Denying these countries access to such materials in the name of climate action is short-sighted and unjust.
While substitutes for hydrocarbons and petrochemicals are under development, they are far from ready to replace these essential materials. Addressing climate change must be balanced with the realities of global needs. Forcing premature transitions away from hydrocarbons risks undermining public health, food security, and economic stability – especially in nations striving to escape poverty.
Rather than vilifying hydrocarbons, society should focus on responsible management. Innovations in recycling, sustainable practices, and alternative energy can co-exist with the continued use of petrochemicals where necessary. Hydrocarbons and petrochemicals are not mere conveniences; they are the foundation of modern life. From saving lives in hospitals to powering the machines that feed and shelter us, these materials are indispensable. As the world seeks to address climate challenges, we must acknowledge the critical role of hydrocarbons in creating a healthier, more prosperous future for all.
Dismantling this backbone without viable alternatives would not only disrupt our way of life but also deny opportunities for less-developed nations to thrive. The path forward lies in balance, innovation, and a realistic understanding of our global needs.
Ian Madsen is the Senior Policy Analyst at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
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