1,940
edits
Energy: Difference between revisions
→Energy demand
(Created page with "This page is about energy in 2 main forms: fuel and electricity. ==Energy supply== ===The majority of energy comes from fossil fuels which cause climate change.=== ---- border|alt=Energy sources ===Limits to other energy sources=== {| class='wikitable' !Energy source !Limitations |- |Hydroelectricity |Only viable in a few parts of the world |- |Geothermal |In most parts of the world, is only suited for heating a...") |
|||
| (4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
The intermittency problem of [[solar]] and [[wind]] could be solved with [[energy storage]], if the right innovations happen. | The intermittency problem of [[solar]] and [[wind]] could be solved with [[energy storage]], if the right innovations happen. | ||
==Energy demand== | |||
Categorized by end use:<br> | |||
[[File: energy-demand-status-quo.png|border|alt=Energy uses]]<br /> | |||
===Can this demand (or at least, most of it) be met without fossil fuels?=== | |||
Short answer: No. | |||
Long answer: Not without [[energy supply scenarios|major technological breakthroughs]]. | |||
Even worse: Most of the world is currently living in '''poverty'''. Suppose every country was as ''developed'' as ''western'' countries: [[energy demand scenarios|Global energy demand would be more than '''double''']]: | |||
[[File: energy-demand-if-developed.png|border|alt=Energy demand if everyone lived a first-world lifestyle]] | |||
====But there is good news==== | |||
If we [[minimal consumption scenario|did things differently]], then... | |||
* Everyone on the planet could have a decent quality of life, and | |||
* Energy consumption would be just a fraction of what it is today. | |||
* Plus, people would be less [[labor|overworked]]. | |||
[[minimal consumption scenario|This might actually be the most viable route to net-zero carbon emissions]]. | |||