Problem
Energy crisis
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Energy shortageEnergy deficiency
Nature:
World energy consumption has been rising at a concerning rate since the mid 1970s. The reliance on oil presents a problem as this form of fuel runs out, the energy crisis worsens. Although rates of increase in energy use have been declining, the industrialization, agricultural development and rapidly growing populations of developing countries will need much more energy. However to bring the developing countries' energy use up to that of industrialized countries by the year 2025 would require an increase in the current global energy use by a factor of five. The planetary ecosystem could not stand this, especially if the increases were based on non-renewable fossil fuels. The current threats of global warming and acidification of the environment also tend to preclude even a doubling of energy use based on the present pattern of energy supply.
Broader Problems:
Global crisisShortage of natural resources Narrower Problems:
Shortage of firewoodElectrical power failureElectrical power failureUnexplored energy alternativesUnderdeveloped rural energy sourcesEnergy dependence and vulnerabilityMaldistribution of energy consumptionLack of integrated energy resource managementLong-term shortage of mineral energy resourcesReduction in building of nuclear power stationsDiminishing oil resources Related Problems:
Environmental hazards of decommissioned nuclear power plants Aggravates:
Landscape disfigurement from open-cast miningProliferation of nuclear weapons and technology Reduces:
Exploitation of fossil fuels Strategies:
Employing energy efficient designEnvisioning future energy scenariosReducing fossil fuel useConserving fossil fuelsDeveloping economicallyUsing solar energyIncreasing amount of energy resourcesImporting energy References:
Gordon, Richard L: An Economic Analysis of World Energy ProblemsUnited Nations Conference on Trade and Development: Characterization and In-depth Analysis of the Origins of the Current Crisis of the Market and of the Primary Tungsten and Intermediate Products IndustryKydes, A S and Geraghty, D M: Energy Markets in the Longer Term: planning under uncertainty Subject(s):
Resources → EnergySocietal Problems → Deprivation
Societal Problems → Emergencies
Societal Problems → Scarcity
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
C: Cross-sectoral problems Date of last update
23.02.2022 – 18:21 CET