Energy gap: Crisis for humanity?

It is perhaps too early to talk of an energy “crisis”. But take your pick from terms like “serious concern” and “major issue” and you will not be far from the positions which analysts are increasingly adopting.

The reason for their concern can be found in a set of factors which are pulling in glaringly different directions:

* Demand for energy, in all its forms, is rising
* Supplies of key fuels – notably oil and gas – show signs of decline
* Mainstream climate science suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions within two decades would be a prudent thing to do
* Meanwhile the Earth’s population continues to rise, with the majority of its six billion people hankering after a richer lifestyle – which means a greater consumption of energy.

BBC