How Fossil Fuels Have Created an Energy Crisis
Exploring Our Alternatives
The Future of Energy
Summary
This book is an in-depth analysis of the
dynamics of energy in the 21st century. It looks at the risks presented by
non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels by giving a special
consideration to their single most implication: climate change and by considering
some fundamental yet important aspects of energy such as its forms,
conservation, measure, and distribution. In it, Fritz Dufour also dives deep
into the economics of energy by analyzing important concepts such as energy efficiency
and the behavioral gap, energy security and its quantification, and the costs
and policies of energy programs. Each type of energy – from the non-renewable
category of energies (coal, petroleum, and natural gaz) – to the renewable
category of energies (solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal energies) –
is analyzed in terms of its discovery, extraction, storage, distribution, use,
and pros and cons. A strong argument is presented in favor of being proactive
by prioritizing energy-efficient technologies in order to fortify the bleak
future of energy, as the world’s population is set to double by the end of the century
and as each energy source has its strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the book
stresses the dilemma that we face: no known single renewable source of energy
can yet make up for or effectively replace the fossil fuels that have been making
our world turn and upon which every single human being is directly or
indirectly dependent.
Abstract
Today, the world is
experiencing the full brunt of an energy crisis because our energy resources
are a global challenge. From their discovery, their exploitation, and their
storage to their distribution and their usage, they pose tremendous risks and
threats both to our health and the environment. The challenge also stems from
the facts that: technology does not create energy, transforming energy is
expensive, and energy transitions – for example, switching from fossil fuels
to, say solar energy – take time. The demand for energy is here to stay because
the two fundamental factors that fuel it are inherent to mankind. These are
population growth and economic activities. The world population is increasing
at an astonishing rate of 1.1 percent per year or 83 million people per year.
It’s projected that the current world population of 7.3 billion is expected to
reach 8.5 billion by 2030; 9.7 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100. Energy
is the cornerstone of our survival. Unfortunately, the picture is not perfect
considering that each source of energy has its downsides and challenges. Among
recent controversies: risk of accidents and leaks posed by offshore drilling,
the Keystone pipeline, the Fukushima nuclear plant accident, health and
environmental risks of coal mining, hydrologic fracturing, nuclear wastes,
rising costs of mineral resources, and rising carbon dioxide levels in the
atmosphere.
Putting a meaningful
price on CO₂ emissions is viewed by many as integral to achieving the 2° C
climate goal. The current picture, however, reveals significant challenges
relating to the geographic coverage of carbon markets, the prevailing price
levels and, in some cases, the need for market reform. Carbon emissions trading
schemes in operation in 2014 covered 3.7 Gt (11 %) of global energy-related CO₂
emissions and had an aggregate value of $26 billion. The average price was
around $7 per ton of CO₂. In contrast, 4.2 Gt (13%) of global energy related
CO₂ emissions from the use of fossil fuels receive consumption subsidies, with
the implicit subsidy amounting to $115 per ton of CO₂, on average… It's
important to note that climate change could also trigger a massive reduction in
global population. People need land, water, food, and shelter and often satisfy
these needs by destroying wild nature. But it is not just a matter of sheer
numbers, for the amount of resources consumed by each person is what really
makes a difference to our impact on the planet.
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