Energy Consumption in the United States
US Energy Information Administration
Energy is not free, even when it may seem so. In even the most basic aspects of our lives, we use some appliance or instrument that requires energy. The water pump, coffee maker, microwave, computer, and cars are some examples of consumer products.
The U.S. Department of Energy divides energy into four categories:
Industrial, Transportation, Residential, and Commercial.
The industrial sector currently has the majority share of 30% of total energy consumption. This subdivision includes chemical, cement, steel, aluminum, and paper manufacturing. This sector tends to grow along with population to provide resources for the consumer. Transportation sector consists of any automobile or vehicle such as cars, trucks, trains, and planes. It has a 29% share of the total energy consumption in the United States. The residential and commercial sectors hold a 22% and 19% share of total energy consumption respectively. These include the heating/cooling, lighting, and electrical appliances within a house or professional workplace.
The U.S. Department of Energy divides energy into four categories:
Industrial, Transportation, Residential, and Commercial.
The industrial sector currently has the majority share of 30% of total energy consumption. This subdivision includes chemical, cement, steel, aluminum, and paper manufacturing. This sector tends to grow along with population to provide resources for the consumer. Transportation sector consists of any automobile or vehicle such as cars, trucks, trains, and planes. It has a 29% share of the total energy consumption in the United States. The residential and commercial sectors hold a 22% and 19% share of total energy consumption respectively. These include the heating/cooling, lighting, and electrical appliances within a house or professional workplace.
How much is too much?
The total energy consumption of the world is 474 exajoules (474E18 J). The vast majority of this energy, over 80% is derived from fossil fuel. The United States is currently one of the largest consumers of energy in the world. With a population that only covers 4.5% of the world, we use 25% of the total energy consumed. The American people use on average 11.4 kilowatt per person. The excessive magnitude can be seen when compared to other industrialized countries such as Japan and Germany that produce 6 kW per person.
At the rate the world is spending energy, fossil fuels, the source of most of the world's energy will run out within 250 to 350 years with oil only lasting for about 40 to 70 years. The rapid rate of consumption will deplete our resources before the human race can find a viable alternative source to harvest let alone change the status quo bias.
At the rate the world is spending energy, fossil fuels, the source of most of the world's energy will run out within 250 to 350 years with oil only lasting for about 40 to 70 years. The rapid rate of consumption will deplete our resources before the human race can find a viable alternative source to harvest let alone change the status quo bias.
