Our energy future – a point of view

Roman civilization reached heights unparalleled at the time of its peak, due largely to the energy of slaves harnessed to its bidding. The slaves rebelled and Roman civilization went into decline. It is succinctly said of that time that:

Rome burned, while Nero fiddled!

We live in another era but our civilization is equally challenged to adapt our lifestyles to better reflect our energy future if we are to survive. We and other industrialized nations have developed to our present states in fairly recent times. We have done so to a large extent through use of fossil fuels – coal, gas, and oil. These fuels, however, are finite. Forecasts are that with anticipated consumption rates, global supplies of oil will be exhausted in 50 years, natural gas in 90 years, and coal in 390 years.

Yet, demand and consumption rates continue to grow as populations of industrialized nations increase and underdeveloped nations strive to reap benefits that energy availability makes possible.

Energy Bulletin