ABSTRACT
Industrialized societies run on energy, a tautological statement in the sense that it is obvious. Population, gross domestic product (GDP), consumption and production of energy, and production of pollution for every country in the world are interrelated. The United States has less than 5% of the world population; however, in the world, the United States generates around 22% of the gross production and 16% of the carbon dioxide emissions and is at 18% for energy consumption (Figure 1.1). Notice that the countries listed in Figure 1.1 consume around 70% of the energy and produce around 70% of the world GDP and carbon dioxide emissions. The developed countries consume the most energy and produce the most pollution, primarily due to the increase in the amount of energy per person. On a per person basis, the United States is considered the worst for energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission.
