The figure above shows how the world uses energy on a regular basis. The figure was constructed using statistics by the International Energy Agency and was created via Wikipedia. The depiction of the real critical situation is imperative. If we run out of oil and coal, our number one and two resources used for producing energy, what will we do? That’s what experts around the world are asking each other right now trying to figure out a way to “save” civilization.
Unfortunately, civilization isn’t the only thing at risk and dependent on our energy crisis. The prolonged use of burning fossil fuels to supply energy has already increased the surface temperature, increased harmful atmospheric gas concentrations, contributed to the rising sea level, and polluted parts of the world past the point of possible recovery. A hundred years from now it’s impossible to judge exactly what will happen but we know it will not be good unless people drastically change their habits and the way they consume energy. We as consumers are responsible not only for ourselves but for our children, our children’s children, and even their children, assuming the Earth is still able to support civilization.
The two figures below were taken from the Ventana Systems website and show the current and projected energy consumption, GDP, and population for the United Sates and for the rest of the world.
It is evident from the figures that the United Sates has taken the initiative at least to consume less energy in the last 50 or so years. Americans do consume more energy per capita than any other nationalities and along the way we have realized this and attempted to alter the trend. The exponential growth (red line) for the rest of the world in the total energy consumption graph shows how severe the issue is becoming. While it’s nearly impossible to stop consuming energy all together, there are little things that we can do. Things that may seem insignificant such as walking to work instead of driving, or canceling that flight across the sea to do something closer to home will eventually add up.
With the projected energy consumption per capita so large for Americans, it’s really up to Americans to lead the front in the energy issue. For ourselves and for our environment, change is essential.
