Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Two things: Instead of following the leading advice and restricting the use of fossil fuels, people around
the world nearly doubled their use of fossil fuels—which allegedly should have led to an epic disaster.
Rather, it led to an epic improvement in human life across the board.
MORE FOSSIL FUELS, MORE FLOURISHING
Here is a picture summarizing world energy use since 1980.
Figure 1.1: 80 Percent Increase in Worldwide Fossil Fuel Use 1980-2012
Source: BP, Statistical Review of World Energy 2013, Historical data workbook
From the 1970s to the present, fossil fuels have overwhelmingly been the fuel of choice, particularly
for developing countries. In the United States between 1980 and 2012, the consumption of oil increased
8.7 percent, the consumption of natural gas increased 28.3 percent, and the consumption of coal increased
12.6 percent.
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During that time period, the world overall increased fossil fuel usage far more than we did.
