The last time the world went through a transition from one form of power to another was during the Industrial Revolution when muscle and biomass gave way to steam and coal. This chart graphically illustrates that transition and the one we must go through now to save the planet from catastrophe:
Prior to the 19th century people relied on animal power (including their own) and wood or peat burning. Consequently the cost of firewood skyrocketed in the 17th century as it became increasing scarce in Europe. As England industrialized in the mid 1800s, coal became the fuel. Coal use went from 4.9% of the energy mix in the 1840s to 47.2% by 1900. Coal was partially replaced by oil in the 20th century, with the advent of the internal combustion engine. It lost the transportation and heating markets to oil. Coal still accounts for a third of electricity production. The chart shows the increasing share of natural gas and renewables, currently. Renewables are still a minor share of the energy portfolio, accounting for about 11%, but are increasing fast. Fossil fuel burning still accounts for 78% of energy consumed in the world. We have a long way to go in a very short time.