Despite significant investment and promotion, the global shift from fossil fuels to green energy is not materializing as expected. In 2023, the world spent nearly $2 trillion on the energy transition, yet fossil fuel consumption continued to rise. Research shows that renewable energy often supplements rather than replaces fossil fuels.

Historical trends show that new energy sources increase overall energy consumption rather than decrease the use of existing ones. Solar and wind energy are hindered by their dependency on weather conditions and daylight — factors that are not a concern with fossil fuels.

Achieving the much-discussed energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources would require substantial subsidies and acceptance of less efficient technologies, potentially costing over $5 trillion annually. The focus should be on improving green-energy alternatives through increased investment in research and development.