Or we could step in the 21st century and stop using a dirty, polluting substance that was only used for fuel originally because it was so easy to get to, and that isn’t all that great as a raw material for organic derivatives.
Actually, I view mankind's resource usage, historically, as a progression, and understand that oil is now, somewhat after coal, after wood, after animal dung/fat or bunches of grass, etc.
At some point, humanity will be using what is next, although some of the older technology will always be present.
Funny, how in all that time, despite finding different ways to transport it and use it, we are still building a fire. Even our use of nuclear fuel is to build the 'fire' which we use to heat water to make the wheels go round and generate electricity we can send down the wire to make the wheels go 'round...
So, yes, we could use a few fundamental changes in the way we do things, just to be more efficient. Perhaps when we master gravity or spacetime we can move people and things large distances without building that fire, without tires or roads, lubricants, or gaskets, or seals to keep the wind and wet out.
If we are there yet, no one said so.
In the meantime, we use the energy we have. But if you have something new, something that doesn't build a fire (however you build it, wherever you build it) to make the wheels go 'round, I'm all ears.
You see, we use oil because the alternatives, by and large, coal, wood, animal fat/dung, were even dirtier, and in their heyday, even more polluting.
As far as a raw material for organic derrivatives, I'll defer to the folks who know more about that than I.
Is there an organic chemist in the house?