Can the Current Energy Consumption Profile Last?

                     Energy Consumption Trends

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:World_Energy_consumption.png      (TW=Tera Watt)

Energy consumption profile trends are increasing over time as you can see from the graph above.

Never before has humanity faced such a challenging outlook for energy and the planet. As the global standard of living continually increases, we use more energy and emit more carbon dioxide.

The world can no longer avoid three hard truths about energy supply and demand.

1: Step-change in energy use
Developing nations, including population giants China and India, are entering their most energy-intensive phase of economic growth as they industrialise, build infrastructure, and increase their use of transportation.


2: Supply will struggle to keep pace
By 2015, growth in the production of easily accessible oil and gas will not match the projected rate of demand growth. While abundant coal exists in many parts of the world, transportation difficulties and environmental degradation ultimately pose limits to its growth. Meanwhile, alternative energy sources such as biofuels may become a much more significant part of the energy mix — but there is no “silver bullet” that will completely resolve supply-demand tensions.

3: Environmental stresses are increasing

Even if it were possible for fossil fuels to maintain their current share of the energy mix and respond to increased demand, CO2 emissions would then be on a pathway that could severely threaten human well-being.

World population has more than doubled since 1950 and is set to increase by 40% by 2050. History has shown that as people become richer they use more energy. Population and GDP will grow strongly in non-OECD countries and China and India are just starting their journey on the energy ladder.

http://www-static.shell.com/static/public/downloads/brochures/corporate_pkg/scenarios/shell_energy_scenarios_2050.pdf

The current energy consumption profile cannot last forever. Without conserving overall energy use and investing in more renewable energy sources, we will deplete our fossil fuels and not be able to sustain our current standard of living.