The world's reliance on fossil fuels has been starkly highlighted by the recent standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted supplies and driven up prices. This crisis underscores the urgent need to explore alternatives to oil-based products, which permeate every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. The question is: can we loosen the grip that fossil fuels have on our lives and find sustainable replacements?
The Ubiquity of Oil-Based Products
According to the International Energy Agency, petrochemicals, derived from oil and gas, make up 90% of all raw materials. They are 'intimately engrained in our daily routines,' as Assoc Prof Stuart Walsh, a resources engineer at Monash University, puts it. From toothbrushes to carrier bags, food packaging to mobile phones, carpets to clothes, and furniture, these petrochemicals are everywhere. The largest consumers of petrochemicals are fertilisers, plastics, and textiles, which account for 70% of total demand.
The Haber-Bosch Process and Synthetic Nitrogen Fertiliser
One of the most critical areas where oil-based products are essential is in food production. Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, or urea, is a product of the Haber-Bosch process, which converts gas into hydrogen and then ammonia. This process, as Walsh describes it, is 'kind of the miracle of the last century,' enabling us to feed the world's population. However, the production of ammonia relies on fossil fuels, and globally, 80% of ammonia is used to make fertiliser.
Exploring Alternatives for Fertilisers
In Australia, the split is roughly 50/50, with half used for explosives in mining and the other half for fertilisers. Amandine Denis-Ryan, chief executive of the Australian branch of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), suggests that ammonia is a good candidate for using green hydrogen, produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy. While the costs are higher, the benefits include reducing reliance on gas and cutting emissions.
Prof Kadambot Siddique, director of the Institute of Agriculture at the University of Western Australia, suggests optimising fertiliser use, crop rotation, and substituting organics as strategies to reduce reliance on imported products. However, he acknowledges that Australia doesn't have sufficient quantities of organic fertilisers to completely replace its current requirements.
Bioplastics and the Plastic Crisis
The plastic crisis is another area where alternatives are being explored. More than 90% of the plastic that comes into Australia is imported, and only about 14% is recycled. Dr Eddie Attenborough, a chemical engineer at Monash University, suggests bioplastics, made from renewable materials like corn, sugarcane, seaweed, and food waste, as a potential solution. While their market share is currently tiny, 'polyhydroxyalkanoates' (PHAs) are a promising option, being both home compostable and marine biodegradable.
The Challenge of Synthetic Fibres
In the fashion industry, synthetic fibres have dominated since the mid-1990s, making up about 73% of global textile production. They are cheaper to produce and don't depend on environmental conditions like soil and water. However, the war in Iran has caused price increases, with some polyester producers paying 30% more for fossil fuel feedstocks. Natural alternatives like cotton, wool, linen, silk, and hemp exist, but they are usually more expensive and produced in smaller quantities.
The Way Forward
Julie Boulton, a sustainable fashion consultant, emphasises the need for a 'whole-of-system change' to reduce dependence on fossil-fuelled fibres. This includes valuing durable fabrics, quality garments, and craftsmanship, along with promoting reuse, repair, and recycling. As Cip Hamilton, the plastics campaign manager at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, points out, we cannot recycle our way out of a crisis driven by overproduction. The challenge is to produce and use less, and to find innovative solutions that can scale up and make a real difference in our transition away from oil-based products.
