Energy as a quick estimate of environmental impact
This works in most cases because:
- The majority of energy comes from fossil fuels. (see chart)
- The majority of greenhouse gas emissions are from energy production. (see chart)
- Since other energy sources
(...)( i.e. nuclear, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal ) currently have very limited capacity, it could be said that any energy demand that exceeds that capacity will be met with fossil fuels.
Exceptions:
- When it comes to food: Land usage is a much more accurate measure of environmental impact.
- Reason:
- Although energy is responsible for most of climate change, agriculture is responsible for almost all habitat loss
(...)( which has additional environmental harms besides carbon emissions ) . - Also, agriculture accounts for less than 2% of all energy use. [pie chart link will be added here soon]
- Although energy is responsible for most of climate change, agriculture is responsible for almost all habitat loss
- Note: Agriculture has other impacts as well, such as from fertilizer (1.4% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions).
- One way to reduce all of agriculture's impacts at once, is to reduce food waste.
- Reason: