Fossil fuel consumption
Description:
Fossil fuels are non-renewable natural resources. There is a limited amount of fossil fuel reserves. Fossil fuels are being consumed faster than they are produced by the earth and they will eventually be exhausted.
Enablers:
- We are dependent on fossil fuels as they power almost all equipment and machinery. They are used for heating homes and businesses, running businesses, tranportation and communication networks.Almost every aspect of modern life is made from, powered with, or affected by fossil fuels.
- They are the cheapest and safest source of energy currently available to everyone.
- Need for energy across the world is increasing.
Inhibitors:
- Burning of fossil fuels pollute the air and cause global warming.
- People are increasingly aware of problems with fossil fuels and are trying to find ways to limit our dependence on them.
- Fossil fuels are increasing in price with time.
Paradigms:
With the conflict in the Middle East, there has been growing concern over the availability of oil in the Middle East. Experts have also said that there is only another 40 years of crude oil left. Geologists are suggesting that global oil production could peak and decline steeply much sooner, increasing oil prices. Non-OPEC oil producing countries are already nearing peak production leaving most of the reserves in the unstable Middle East. Increasing tensions between Islam and the West will likely threaten access to affordable oil.
Experts:
Petroleum geologists
Timing:
- Around 900 AD, coal was discovered and was soon widely used. The population rose to 1 billion in 1800.
- In 1850, crude oil was discovered in Romania, and in 1859 the first North American oil well went into operation. Machinery availability and usage increased. In 1930, there were 2 billion people; in 1960, 3 billion; in 1974, 4; in 1987, 5; and in 1999, there were 6 billion inhabitants of this planet.