> I don't understand how we're still using fossil fuels.

Global politics.

Switching to renewables is seen as capitulation to China because of their lead in tech in this area, especially when you consider that renewables generally introduce battery dependence.

They don't even try to hide this anymore. Watch US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick at the WEF:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY0t0h1gXzk

Explicitly stated: Don't be subservient to China.

Not vocalized, but the obvious alternative: Instead be subservient to the USA and various allied Persian Gulf (and hijacked Latin American) countries who will keep pushing the petrol alternative until it literally runs dry, even if they have to do it at gunpoint.