- Practice · 6 marks
World energy resources and consumption pattern
Short answer
World energy relies mainly on fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), with renewables and non-commercial biomass also used. Developed countries consume high per-capita energy; developing nations have low but fast-growing consumption. Per-capita energy use indicates development level. Problems include inequitable access, resource depletion, and environmental impacts like CO2 emissions and indoor air pollution.
Describe the world energy resources and the pattern of energy consumption in developed and developing countries. Why is per capita energy consumption an indicator of development, and what are the problems of the present pattern?
World energy resources
- Commercial non-renewable: coal, oil, natural gas, uranium. Fossil fuels supply roughly 80 % of world primary energy. Rough reserve lives at present rates of use are about 50 years for oil and gas and over 100 years for coal; the figures change with new discoveries and prices.
- Renewable: hydro (the largest renewable source of electricity), biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, tidal and wave. They supply about 15 % of primary energy, and the share is rising.
- Non-commercial: firewood, crop residues and dung, still the main household fuel in many rural areas of developing countries.
Consumption pattern
| Point | Developed countries | Developing countries |
|---|---|---|
| Population share | about 20 % | about 80 % |
| Energy use share | about 40 % (over half until about 2000) | about 60 % and rising |
| Per capita use | 100–300 GJ/yr | 10–40 GJ/yr |
| Main sectors | Industry, transport, buildings | Households (cooking), agriculture |
| Fuel mix | Oil, gas, coal, nuclear | Biomass, coal, imported oil |
| Trend | Slow growth, efficiency gains | Fast growth with industrialisation |
Energy use per person is high in North America and the Gulf, lower in Europe and Japan (higher efficiency), and low in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Per capita energy as an indicator
Energy use correlates with income, industrial output, transport, health and education. The Human Development Index rises quickly with energy use up to a moderate level (a few tens of GJ per person), and the gains flatten at high levels.
Problems
Uneven distribution and energy poverty; dependence on imports and price shocks; depletion of fossil fuels; air pollution and climate change from CO₂ (energy use causes about three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions); and indoor air pollution from cooking with biomass. The remedies are energy efficiency, renewables, conservation and fair access.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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