Abstract

The energy transition is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, involving not only technological innovation but also deep social, economic, and geopolitical transformations. The world’s dependence on fossil fuels contrasts with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, making change inevitable. Renewable sources, such as solar and wind, hold great potential but still face limitations related to intermittency and infrastructure. The process also requires just transition policies to prevent inequality and economic abandonment in regions dependent on oil and coal. Moreover, geopolitics is shifting from the dominance of oil to strategic minerals of lithium and cobalt. In Brazil, despite a relatively clean electricity matrix and vast renewable potential, the pre-salt oil reserves remain a strong economic dependency. The success of the transition will depend on balancing climate urgency, economic feasibility, and social justice, representing a historical necessity that will define the future of the next generations.

Keywords:Energy transition; Renewable sources; Fossil fuels