ABSTRACT
In 1996, dependence on fossil fuels grew to the highest levels ever, as use of oil, natural gas, and coal all set new records. 1 (See Figure 1.) At 8.1 billion tons of oil equivalent in 1996, fossil fuels provided roughly 85 percent of the world's commercial energy. 2 Rapid economic growth and moderate fuel prices have spurred the recent increases. Also, after falling steeply for several years, fossil fuel use in the former Soviet Union and central Europe is now levelling off, which has allowed the global totals to jump upward. 3
