Conventional Energy

Ultimately the prospect of a survivable future hinges on energy and how rapidly societies shift from fossil fuel dependence to near carbon neutral energy. The case for renewable energy is being strengthened by increasing anxiety over the alleged gap between new discoveries of reserves of fossil fuels and rising demand, especially from China and India. Rapid economic growth in the developing world means that predicted energy demand under the high emissions CO₂ scenario is outpacing gains in energy efficiency and could reach over three times the current level of primary energy demand by the end of the century (Figures 12.1 and Figures 12.2). Figure 12.1 World Energy Council worst case Business as Usual scenario https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781849774390/e6bf99a4-475a-40b5-857f-b7d6daefa20d/content/fig12_1_B.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> Figure 12.2 World Energy Outlook https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781849774390/e6bf99a4-475a-40b5-857f-b7d6daefa20d/content/fig12_2_B.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> Source: International Energy Agency/World Energy