Energy Transition in the 18th century

The energy transition started centuries ago. In the 18th century, urban population growth in England and the Netherlands created a huge demand for energy. In England, soaring wood prices caused the transition to coal. The Netherlands switched to peat. England with its well-developed coal mining industry had access to cheap energy. France and China paid the most for energy. High prices drove the energy transition. What can we learn from this period in history to help us design a better future?