Anyone who’s been around, met a fair number of folks, knows one thing to be true: People are contradictory. On the one hand, it’s human nature to worry. We see a glass as half empty. Think of the worst-case scenario. Or go along with Murphy’s Law: “If anything can go wrong, it will.” On the other hand, humans have a deep need to look on the bright side, appreciate what’s working positively, but also visualize how things could be better. This doesn’t mean we stick our heads in the sand. It’s more that we’re able to think rationally, look at the facts, and not be driven by emotions. This, in short, is the state of affairs with fossil fuels. For years, hydrocarbons have been painted as evil. Naysayers proclaim the sky is falling. However, if you look at the evidence, the vast benefits, and the limitless upside, it’s clear this is not the case. Fossil fuels are vital to our very existence. They make the world turn. And marketers and station owners play a critical role in that process.
First, let’s look at history. Before the use of oil, natural gas, and coal became routine, the world moved at a snail’s pace. A high-percentage of the population was poor and destitute. And most people never made it to their forties. Then, when hydrocarbons were introduced, the Industrial Revolution kicked into high gear. Waves of innovation came in its wake. Millions of people were put to work. Economies flourished. Life improved. Now, the average lifespan worldwide is over 72 years of age. Less than 12% of Americans live in poverty. And it’s not surprising that over the past two centuries fossil fuel consumption went from near zero to over 80% of the earth’s energy resources. Without fossil fuels the world wouldn’t be where it is today.
The important points to be made, though, are the reasons why. One is that fossil fuels can be easily transported, whether by trucks, tankers, or pipelines, and if needed can be stored indefinitely. The storage capabilities of renewables, meanwhile, are considerably less efficient. What’s more, there is the established, high-end infrastructure that exists for hydrocarbons, enabling us to use them far more effectively and affordably than alternative options. Then there’s the fact that renewables – like wind and solar – can be severely affected by changes in the environment, while fossil fuels will remain ready and available when needed.
All of this leads to the advantages that fossil fuels provide – and the critical operations our industry performs. From delivering fuel to farmers, providing products to heat homes, distributing gas and diesel to move America’s vehicles, our class of trade is a strategic part of the distribution chain and we should celebrate its positives and highly honorable purpose. It is the result of cheap, dependable energy that we don’t get sick from our food and water, and that we’re protected from whatever nature throws at us. Hydrocarbons keep us warm during the winter, cool in the summer, and help us produce vitally important medicines and healthcare products. Moving forward, fossil fuels will continue to play an outsized role in making life safer, providing prosperity, and feeding the world.
We spend far too much time defending how we carry out our business, when we should actually be exclaiming from the mountain top the important and morally responsible things we do. The world is very fortunate to have an abundance of affordable fossil fuels, and we should boast about how the use of oil, coal, and natural gas has significantly improved life as we know it – all over the Earth. What makes the world go ’round? If we’re truly honest, we’d say fossil fuels. Then we should ask ourselves: Is our glass half-empty or half-full?
At the Spirit® Brand, we want to celebrate the upside of fossil fuels – and we think everyone else should, too. If you believe it’s time for us to change the way we talk about the work we do, contact us at 509-203-7357 or [email protected] and let us know how we can help.