Perhaps the single most important answer to the OP's question is energy production. Fossil fuels have literally fueled the human population explosion. We would not have been able to produce nearly enough food to support our population growth without cheep energy. And yes, the cheep energy has come with liabilities of its own.
Save a life. Adopt a greyhound.
![[Image: JUkLw58.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/JUkLw58.gif)