The global energy Consumption pattern
About 24 per cent of energy consumed globally is for transportation, 40 per cent for industry, 30 per cent for domestic and commercial purposes, and the remaining 6 per cent for other uses, including agriculture. About 30 per cent of energy goes into the production of electricity, which in turn is used by different sectors. Transportation accounts for a substantial amount of oil use.
A third of the world's population, that is, about two billion people, lack access to adequate energy supplies. At least three billion people depend on fuelwood, dung, coal, charcoal, and kerosene for cooking and heating. On the other hand, industrialized countries, with only 25 per cent of the global population, account for 70 per cent of commercial energy consumption. Most of it is oil that is used for transportation and is available cheap because of subsidies. These countries are interested in maintaining and even increasing their current levels of energy consumption. The US is the largest energy consumer in the world.
What is the energy consumption pattern in India and other developing countries ? In India, about one-third of the energy comes from non-commercial sources. The rural population depends heavily on fuelwood, dung, and animal waste. In urban areas, there are large numbers of non-motorized vehicles like bicycles, rickshaws, handcarts, and animal carts. Such human and animal energy inputs into the system are not accounted for properly.
Fuelwood provides about 15 per cent of the energy needs in developing countries. According to the UN FAO, 2.7 billion people in 77 developing countries go without adequate supplies of fuelwood. They are also forced to consume wood faster than it can be replenished by nature.
Why do we often hear about energy consumption in the US? With just 4.6 per cent of the world's population, the US consumes 24 per cent of the total commercial energy produced. This exceeds the total amount used by the next four countries, namely, Japan, Germany, Russia and China. India, with 16 per cent of the population, accounts for just 3 per cent of total energy consumed. A comparison of per capita consumption of energy for transportation shows the stark differences between countries. For every 100 units of energy consumed by a US citizen for transportation a Danish citizen uses 45 units, a Japanese 30 units, and an Indian just two units! Seventy six per cent of US citizens drive to work in a car, while just 5 per cent use public transportation.
Why should we worry about what the US does? First, we should note that 92 per cent of the energy used in the US comes from non-renewable fossil fuels that release huge volumes of emissions. The US has 3 per cent of the world's oil, but consumes 26 per cent of the crude oil extracted in the world. They also waste tremendous amounts of energy. Clearly, their ecological footprint is very large.
Now, many countries, including India and China, are striving to reach the same level of prosperity as the US. If we start consuming energy at the same rate as the US, the world will run out of fossil fuels in a few years