[grey_earthling]

Energy isn't the hard problem; it's materials. We're still consuming materials that we can't (yet?) make without fossil input.

[idiotsecant]

Its OK to use fossil fuels as chemical feedstock in manufacturing. As long as we don't literally light it on fire for energy we can deal with the resulting reaction gasses.

In 500 years the idea that we ever burned our most valuable manufacturing chemical to keep warm is going to seem crazy. Petrochemicals are incredibly useful for making things.

[grey_earthling]

Until they run out. We can't recycle anything 100%. Eventually we'll have to learn to do without.

[madsbuch]

Do you have examples of these materials?

[agos]

concrete and steel are quite big

[ThrowawayTestr]

Most plastics