Resources used for energy consumption

Resources used for energy consumption

Energy is essential for everything the modern man does. It provides us with power to heat our homes, run our cars, and build our cities. Being such an integral part of human civilization, energy has been studied diligently since millennia past, and over that time our methods of obtaining it have become many. From burning wood and coal to Nuclear fusion, our advancements in fuel consumption have been directly linked to general scientific, or even cultural, advancement.

Because of growing concern over the environment, many first world countries have gone beyond the traditional methods of producing power and taken to more renewable sources of energy.

Take the UK for an example

Over 6 years, little has changed. A decrease in the use of Natural gas only lead to an increase in the use of coal. The UK has gradually begun to use more renewable sources, but not at a right that implies very little concern about the changing climate (Probably because the rising oceans barely affect the UK). There is still a huge amount of Nuclear power being used, which just makes one wonder what they do with all the radioactive waste.

Still, it is a stark contrast with developing nations like Angola:

Angola’s main energy source is Biomass and waste (meaning wood and excrement). While not particularly efficient, it is plentiful in Angola and technically renewable. Petroleum produces less CO2 emissions than coal, but it is estimated to run out in the next century (Not good news for countries dependent on it).
Angola and countries like it aren’t in an ideal position to be using renewable energy sources. There aren’t any good locations to cultivate such energy, and re hauling the countries energy consumption would be impossible given its economic situation.

Despite the differences between these two countries, both experience the same problem when it comes to renewable energy: Money.
It takes money to invest in new fuels and generators, money that the countries wouldn’t make back for years. Nations like the UK have no real interest in the pursuit of Eco-friendly energy, and countries like Angola could not even hope to make the money in the first place.

To summarise, judging from statistics, the people in power don’t really care at the moment. While the consequences of such carelessness we can only speculate about at the moment, we will no doubt find out more about them in time.