Chapter 8: Energy and Civilization: Patterns of Consumption 8.1 History of Energy Consumption 8.2 How Energy Is Used 8.3 Electrical Energy 8.4 The Economics and Politics of Energy Use 8.5 Energy Consumption Trends

8.1 History of Energy Consumption Biological energy sources Initial energy transfer occurs through photosynthesis. Then energy is transferred through trophic pyramid. Very early in history humans began to exploit additional energy sources to make life more comfortable. In hunter-gatherer cultures all human energy needs were met by using plants and animals as food, tools, and fuel. Humans domesticated animals and plants to provide a more dependable supply of food and energy (for transportation and farming).

Biomass (Wood) Early complex civilizations (Aztecs, Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans) developed cities, which required more energy. Energy provided by burning wood enabled people to cook food, heat living areas, and develop primitive metallurgy. The forests of Europe supplied sufficient fuel until the 13th century. In North America until the 19th century. Dense, rapidly growing settlements quickly outstripped wood production, and new fuel sources such as coal had to be utilized.

Coal During the Carboniferous period, (286-362 million years ago) conditions were conducive to the formation of large deposits of coal. During the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840), machines replaced human and animal labor in the manufacture and transportation of goods. Steam engines (James Watt) converting heat energy into forward motion were central to this transformation. Countries or regions without large coal deposits were consequently left behind.

Coal Prior to the Industrial Revolution, goods were manufactured on a small scale in private homes. Expanding factories needed larger labor pools, thus people began congregating around factories and cities. Widespread use of coal in cities resulted in increased levels of air pollution. Within 200 years, daily per capita energy consumption of industrialized nations increased eightfold.

The Role of the Automobile (Oil) Modern petroleum era started in 1859 (Edwin Drake drilled in Pennsylvania). The invention of the automobile dramatically increased the demand for oil products. The growth of the automobile industry led to roadway construction, which required energy (cycle of more chasing more). Better roads permitted higher speeds. Higher speeds permitted bigger, faster cars. Bigger, faster cars required better roads. Convenience of the automobile led to two-car families (in 2010 there were 250 million automobiles in USA). Job growth in automobile-related industries. Major role in development of industrialized nations.

Oil Cars altered people’s lifestyles: Vacationers could travel greater distances. People could live farther from work, leading to sprawling cities and suburbs. In the suburbs, labor-saving, energy-consuming devices became essential in the home. We expect to see Florida oranges, California lettuces, and Central American bananas in any supermarket in North America. They must be processed, refrigerated, and transported to distant locations.

Natural gas Initially, natural gas was burned as a waste product at oil wells. Before 1940, it accounted for less than 10% of energy consumption. By 1970, it accounted for about 30% of energy needs. Currently, it accounts for 23% of U.S. consumption. It is primarily used for home heating and industrial purposes.

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History of Energy Consumption Changes in energy sources

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8.2 How Energy Is Used Industrialized nations use energy roughly equally for: Residential / commercial uses Industrial uses Transportation Less-developed countries use most energy for residential purposes. Cooking and heating Developing countries use much of their energy to develop industry.

How Energy Is Used In North America, 22% of energy is used for residential and 18% for commercial purposes. In Canada, about 60% of residential energy is used for heating. People in USA use about twice as much energy as people of France, Germany, or Japan. About 4 times more energy the people of China, and 17 times of India. In Africa and Asia much of the household energy is used for cooking, and comes from wood. Using fuel-efficient stoves instead of fires could reduce energy consumption by 50%, and improve health because people would breathe less wood smoke.

Transportation Energy Uses Per capita energy use for transportation is high in developing countries and highest in highly developed countries. The specific combination of bus, rail, waterways, and private automobiles is the main factor in determining a country’s energy use for transportation. In countries with high population densities, rail and bus transport are particularly efficient. In general, automobiles require about twice the energy per passenger kilometer than does bus or rail transport.

Continue In North America, government policies have kept energy costs artificially low to support the automobile industry while removing support for bus and rail transport. Private automobiles in North America consume over 40% of world gasoline production.

Figure 08_08

How Energy Is Used How Americans get to work

8.3 Electrical Energy Electricity is both a way that energy is consumed and a way that it is supplied. Most electrical energy is produced as a result of burning fossil fuels. Because electricity is easily transported and its uses are so varied, electricity is a major world energy source. Industrialized nations have 20% of the world’s population, but use 55% of the world’s electricity. Per capita use in North America is 9 ½ times greater than that in less-developed countries.

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8.4 The Economics and Politics of Energy Use A direct link exists between economic growth and the availability of inexpensive energy. Most industrial societies want to ensure a continuous supply of affordable energy. The higher the price of energy, the more expensive goods and services become. Subsidies help keep energy costs down.

The Economics and Politics of Energy Use Automobile fuel efficiency is one area in which government policy has had significant impact. The price of gasoline determined by two factors: Purchasing and processing crude oil Taxes Most of the differences in gasoline prices among countries are a result of taxes and reflect differences in government policy toward motor vehicle transportation.

The Economics and Politics of Energy Use Gasoline taxes and fuel efficiency

The Economics and Politics of Energy Use Taxes in the U.S. represent 15% of retail gasoline price. 30% in Canada 45-65% in Japan and Europe When we compare the kinds of automobiles driven, we find a direct relationship between the cost of fuel and fuel efficiency. The average European car driver pays about twice as much as U.S. and Canadian drivers, and uses 40% less fuel to drive the same distance as a U.S. driver.

The Economics and Politics of Energy Use Governments often charge road users to help build and repair roads by taxing fuel. Many European countries raise more money from fuel taxes than they spend on building and repairing roads. U.S. only raises 60% of monies needed for roads from fuel taxes. Low fuel costs in the U.S. encourage more travel, which increases road repair costs.

The Economics and Politics of Energy Use The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) consists of 13 countries. OPEC nations control over 75% of the world’s estimated oil reserves (1,300 billion barrels) and and more than 40% of oil production. With increased solidarity among OPEC countries, oil prices have continued to rise and reached over $147 per barrel in 2008 before falling at the end of 2008 as the world economy entered a recession.

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8.5 Energy Consumption Trends Over half of world energy consumption is used by the 25 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD (Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, USA, Mexico). Many countries in Asia have expanding economies and have increased energy use by about 70% between 2000 and 2010. Available Energy Sources Oil 36% Coal 28% Natural Gas 24% Nuclear energy and hydropower provide the rest.

Energy Consumption Trends Changes in world energy consumption

Political and Economic Factors The primary factors determining energy use: Political stability in oil-producing countries Price of oil During the 1980s, energy costs in North America and Europe declined, and people became less concerned about energy consumption. They used more energy to heat and cool their homes, bought more appliances, and larger cars. Energy consumption behavior of most people is motivated by economics rather than a desire to wisely use energy resources.