| Primary use | Industrial and power generation |
| Power source | Nuclear powered internal combustion engines |
| Current state | Declining use, replaced with cleaner energy sources |
| Combustion impact | Significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions |
| Alternative sources |
Fossil fuel combustion became a major source of power in this alternate timeline, with key differences from the history of fossil fuel combustion in our own timeline. Fossil fuels were primarily used in industrial and power generation applications rather than transportation, and technological advances allowed for more efficient and environmentally friendly energy conversion.
In this alternate timeline, the development of fusion power and nuclear power played a significant role in the history of fossil fuel combustion. A breakthrough in the field led to the invention of nuclear-powered internal combustion engines, which significantly reduced the environmental impact of fossil fuel combustion and made it a viable alternative to traditional electricity generation methods.
Moreover, the discovery of vast methane clathrates and other unconventional fossil fuel sources led to a shift away from petroleum and coal as primary fuel sources. Natural gas became the dominant fossil fuel, leading to lower emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants compared to oil and coal.
The adoption of these new technologies and fuel sources had a profound impact on climate change and environmental concerns. With the widespread use of nuclear-powered internal combustion engines and natural gas, the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion decreased significantly. This, in turn, slowed the rate of global warming and ocean acidification compared to our own timeline.
In addition, improvements in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology led to a steady and significant decline in the use of fossil fuels, further reducing the environmental impact. Governments and companies heavily invested in cleaner alternatives, such as solar power, wind power, and tidal power, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
In the present day, fossil fuels play a declining role in power generation and industrial processes, with natural gas accounting for the majority of fossil fuel use. Meanwhile, renewable energy sources and fusion power now provide the bulk of the world's electricity, leading to a marked decrease in fossil fuel consumption.
Further advancements in energy technology, such as more efficient batteries and fuel cells, are expected to further reduce emissions and enable the transition to a truly sustainable energy economy.
In this alternate timeline, fossil fuel combustion played a very different role compared to our own. It relied on new technological developments, such as nuclear-powered internal combustion engines, and primarily served industrial and power generation applications. Furthermore, the use of natural gas as the dominant fuel source and the growing prominence of renewable energy led to a decline in greenhouse gas emissions, allowing for a more environmentally friendly energy landscape.
