The Industrial Revolution, as Nate Hagens would describe it, marks a pivotal epoch in human history characterized by a profound shift from agrarian, manual-based economies to ones dominated by industry and mechanization. Sparked in the late 18th century, this transformation hinged on the widespread exploitation of fossil fuels, particularly coal, which unlocked unprecedented energy stores. Consequently, societies experienced rapid urbanization, technological advancement, and a dramatic increase in production capabilities. However, Hagens underscores not just the economic and social upheavals it brought, but also the attendant environmental costs and the unsustainable trajectory it inaugurated. Above all, he would highlight the Industrial Revolution as the starting point of humanity's growing dependence on non-renewable energy sources, which has vastly altered the planet's ecosystems and remains a critical concern for future generations.

See also: fossil fuel, economic growth, population growth, nuclear power, renewable energy