An Energy Crisis? What Is An Energy Crisis And Should We Be Concerned?
Sandra E Glotzbach asked:
A decline in economic growth is one of the signs of an energy crisis. We are in a recession and our resources are depleting faster than ever before. Do you remember the US energy crisis of 1973? 1979? An energy crisis threatens the economic security of a nation. The warning signs that were in place back in the 70’s, before we experienced those crisis’, appear to be very much in place again today. Our energy consumption is increasing faster than production. The natural resources of the world are already nearly half used up. We should be concerned and become proactive about our energy usage. Cutting back in areas that you can and beginning to pursue alternative sources of energy where your consumption is the greatest will help defer the energy crisis…one household at a time.
An energy crisis is determined by a series of events
Disruption in a nations energy supplies and energy prices rapidly increasing, posing a threat to the economic and national security may be a strong indication of an impending energy crisis. Economic security is threatened when the country sees a decline in economic growth, inflation rises, unemployment becomes greater and billions of dollars are lost in investments.
Warning signs are repetitive
The similarities between 1973, 1979 and now, are very strong. Some major similarities are:
· An economic downturn
· Becoming very dependent on imported oil
· High volume of imported oil from a limited number of suppliers
· Oil producing countries experiencing a political crisis that could stop oil production
· Dropping values of oil stocks
· US oil production decreasing
· Decreased spending on the part of the oil industry
· Speculation rising
An energy crisis may be closer than we think
When oil was at $30 per barrel in 2003, officials were saying the potential for an energy crisis has never been greater. In July 2008 we saw oil prices top out at $147.30 per barrel, reaching record highs. Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources claim that the 2008 price explosion was due to “peak oil” worries, oil reserves declining, speculation over oil price and contention in the Middle East.
Rising oil prices in 2006 were due mainly to the great natural disasters and other world wide political unrest. However, those were temporary, not having as significant an influence on oil prices now as the global recession seems to take center stage. We have recently experienced a drop below $40 per barrel, perhaps just a temporary breathing point as we slip deeper into the recession. The fact still remains that our reserves are getting lower but our energy demands are not.
Our energy demands are becoming out of control
Demand for electricity, gas and other fuel derived from fossil fuels is growing faster than the supply. Nearly 50% of the natural resources available in the world have already been used up. And our energy consumption has really only existed since the invention of cars and electricity. By the year 2030 it is estimated that our demand will increase by 90% over our current usage. It is inevitable that our oil supplies will be deleted soon. The impending energy crisis could be severe if we don’t take action.
Reducing our consumption or eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels is necessary
Most of us aren’t ready to shut our power off while we’re gone or sleeping. So what are our options? Doing little things to reduce your consumption is a start, like turning off the lights, shutting down your computers, turning off the coffee maker, washing full loads of laundry and dishes instead of partial loads, join a carpool, etc.
Those are all great, but quite obviously the greatest savings can be found in our heating, cooling and lighting. Another way to cut back on our consumption of fossil fuel created energy is to invest in renewable energy.
Alternative energy options can save you money as well as preserve our world
Many people have started using renewable energy sources to heat their homes such as solar heat or burning wood or corn. Solar water heaters are becoming a popular source in warmer climates. Another great alternative that can really cut back on your expenses and your dependence on fossil fuels is wind power generators or solar electric generators. These are the least expensive options in the long run. Sun and wind are plentiful in most parts of the world and if you install both you will stay powered when one is not so productive.
Windmills and solar panels are becoming a dependable option
Companies like BP are building wind farms all across the US. Currently 1% of the nations energy supply comes from “small-scale, consumer based” sources. That would include home windmills and solar panels. By the year 2030 that number is estimated to increase to 5%. What that means is that the electric companies are expecting many more consumers to start generating energy.
An energy crisis occurs when a nation experiences a disruption in its energy supplies and rapidly increasing energy prices that threaten economic and national security. We are now in a recession. The warning signs are there. Our energy consumption is getting out of control in comparison to the resources available.
Renewable energy sources are the best option to reducing or replacing our use of fossil fuels. Wind and solar are free resources offering an inexpensive option that will not deplete our world. Change can be most productive...one household at a time.
A decline in economic growth is one of the signs of an energy crisis. We are in a recession and our resources are depleting faster than ever before. Do you remember the US energy crisis of 1973? 1979? An energy crisis threatens the economic security of a nation. The warning signs that were in place back in the 70’s, before we experienced those crisis’, appear to be very much in place again today. Our energy consumption is increasing faster than production. The natural resources of the world are already nearly half used up. We should be concerned and become proactive about our energy usage. Cutting back in areas that you can and beginning to pursue alternative sources of energy where your consumption is the greatest will help defer the energy crisis…one household at a time.
An energy crisis is determined by a series of events
Disruption in a nations energy supplies and energy prices rapidly increasing, posing a threat to the economic and national security may be a strong indication of an impending energy crisis. Economic security is threatened when the country sees a decline in economic growth, inflation rises, unemployment becomes greater and billions of dollars are lost in investments.
Warning signs are repetitive
The similarities between 1973, 1979 and now, are very strong. Some major similarities are:
· An economic downturn
· Becoming very dependent on imported oil
· High volume of imported oil from a limited number of suppliers
· Oil producing countries experiencing a political crisis that could stop oil production
· Dropping values of oil stocks
· US oil production decreasing
· Decreased spending on the part of the oil industry
· Speculation rising
An energy crisis may be closer than we think
When oil was at $30 per barrel in 2003, officials were saying the potential for an energy crisis has never been greater. In July 2008 we saw oil prices top out at $147.30 per barrel, reaching record highs. Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources claim that the 2008 price explosion was due to “peak oil” worries, oil reserves declining, speculation over oil price and contention in the Middle East.
Rising oil prices in 2006 were due mainly to the great natural disasters and other world wide political unrest. However, those were temporary, not having as significant an influence on oil prices now as the global recession seems to take center stage. We have recently experienced a drop below $40 per barrel, perhaps just a temporary breathing point as we slip deeper into the recession. The fact still remains that our reserves are getting lower but our energy demands are not.
Our energy demands are becoming out of control
Demand for electricity, gas and other fuel derived from fossil fuels is growing faster than the supply. Nearly 50% of the natural resources available in the world have already been used up. And our energy consumption has really only existed since the invention of cars and electricity. By the year 2030 it is estimated that our demand will increase by 90% over our current usage. It is inevitable that our oil supplies will be deleted soon. The impending energy crisis could be severe if we don’t take action.
Reducing our consumption or eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels is necessary
Most of us aren’t ready to shut our power off while we’re gone or sleeping. So what are our options? Doing little things to reduce your consumption is a start, like turning off the lights, shutting down your computers, turning off the coffee maker, washing full loads of laundry and dishes instead of partial loads, join a carpool, etc.
Those are all great, but quite obviously the greatest savings can be found in our heating, cooling and lighting. Another way to cut back on our consumption of fossil fuel created energy is to invest in renewable energy.
Alternative energy options can save you money as well as preserve our world
Many people have started using renewable energy sources to heat their homes such as solar heat or burning wood or corn. Solar water heaters are becoming a popular source in warmer climates. Another great alternative that can really cut back on your expenses and your dependence on fossil fuels is wind power generators or solar electric generators. These are the least expensive options in the long run. Sun and wind are plentiful in most parts of the world and if you install both you will stay powered when one is not so productive.
Windmills and solar panels are becoming a dependable option
Companies like BP are building wind farms all across the US. Currently 1% of the nations energy supply comes from “small-scale, consumer based” sources. That would include home windmills and solar panels. By the year 2030 that number is estimated to increase to 5%. What that means is that the electric companies are expecting many more consumers to start generating energy.
An energy crisis occurs when a nation experiences a disruption in its energy supplies and rapidly increasing energy prices that threaten economic and national security. We are now in a recession. The warning signs are there. Our energy consumption is getting out of control in comparison to the resources available.
Renewable energy sources are the best option to reducing or replacing our use of fossil fuels. Wind and solar are free resources offering an inexpensive option that will not deplete our world. Change can be most productive...one household at a time.
Posted by abhi
on Jan 18th, 2009 and filed under Energy.
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