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APES 6.2 Global Energy Consumption

Enduring Understanding:

  • Humans use energy from a variety of sources, resulting in positive and negative consequences.

Learning Objective:

  • Describe trends in energy consumption.

Essential Knowledge:

  • The use of energy resources is not evenly distributed between developed and developing countries.

  • The most widely used sources of energy globally are fossil fuels.

  • As developing countries become more developed, their reliance on fossil fuels for energy increases.

  • As the world becomes more industrialized, the demand for energy increases.

  • Availability, price, and governmental regulations influence which energy sources people use and how they use them.


Trends in Global Energy

Energy Consumption

  • China and the US alone consume 40% of global energy production

  • 20% of the population uses 80% of global energy

    • Developed countries consume much more energy than developing ones

Most Widely Used Sources

  • Since the industrial revolution, fossil fuels have dominated the market as the major source of energy

  • Coal was the first major source during the revolution, but its place has been taken by gasoline

  • Nuclear was briefly made popular in the 70s but lost public faith

    • It has never gained the same trust as before, although that doesn’t stop it from being used

    • It is not increasing or decline, just staying at a constant consumption

Changes as Countries Develop

  • As a country develops, their reliance on fossil fuels for energy increases

    • They consume more energy and fossil fuels are the easiest source to get it from

  • As people start using motorized vehicles, devices, infrastructure, etc., that growing energy demand has to be met somehow

What Energy Source is Used?

  • Many factors contribute to this decision

  • Availability: What fuels can consumers actually get from their location?

    • If there is no infrastructure for a given energy source, that area cannot access it

  • Price: Supply and demand, what the consumer can afford

  • Government regulation: What fuels are consumers allowed to use?

Q

APES 6.2 Global Energy Consumption

Enduring Understanding:

  • Humans use energy from a variety of sources, resulting in positive and negative consequences.

Learning Objective:

  • Describe trends in energy consumption.

Essential Knowledge:

  • The use of energy resources is not evenly distributed between developed and developing countries.

  • The most widely used sources of energy globally are fossil fuels.

  • As developing countries become more developed, their reliance on fossil fuels for energy increases.

  • As the world becomes more industrialized, the demand for energy increases.

  • Availability, price, and governmental regulations influence which energy sources people use and how they use them.


Trends in Global Energy

Energy Consumption

  • China and the US alone consume 40% of global energy production

  • 20% of the population uses 80% of global energy

    • Developed countries consume much more energy than developing ones

Most Widely Used Sources

  • Since the industrial revolution, fossil fuels have dominated the market as the major source of energy

  • Coal was the first major source during the revolution, but its place has been taken by gasoline

  • Nuclear was briefly made popular in the 70s but lost public faith

    • It has never gained the same trust as before, although that doesn’t stop it from being used

    • It is not increasing or decline, just staying at a constant consumption

Changes as Countries Develop

  • As a country develops, their reliance on fossil fuels for energy increases

    • They consume more energy and fossil fuels are the easiest source to get it from

  • As people start using motorized vehicles, devices, infrastructure, etc., that growing energy demand has to be met somehow

What Energy Source is Used?

  • Many factors contribute to this decision

  • Availability: What fuels can consumers actually get from their location?

    • If there is no infrastructure for a given energy source, that area cannot access it

  • Price: Supply and demand, what the consumer can afford

  • Government regulation: What fuels are consumers allowed to use?

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