ABSTRACT
The use of fossil fuel energy, including oil, coal and gas, is inextricably linked with our modern way of life. These fuels are consumed in production processes to develop the infrastructure, buildings, products and services that we depend upon. Further along the production-consumption chain, individual households are discrete consumers of energy, relying upon its usage for the fulfilment of everyday needs including home heating, lighting, cleaning and cooking. From the 1970s, energy use has doubled worldwide in conjunction with economic development, population growth and escalating consumption demands, in particular amongst newly industrialising countries (Dimas, 2008). If these trends continue the International Energy Agency (2011) forecasts a 45 per cent increase in energy demand by 2030 from 2006 levels. As over 90 per cent of our energy use comes from fossil fuel sources, energy-related emissions account for around 80 per cent of global, yearly carbon emissions and are therefore a key driver of climate change (Dimas, 2008). Given the environmental implications of these trends, along with security issues arising from the uneven distribution and finite nature of fossil fuels, urgent attention is required to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel consumption across all domains of life.
