Energy Consumption & Choices (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Energy Consumption

• Energy consumption refers to the total amount of energy used by individuals, industries and countries

• As populations grow and individual demand increases, global energy consumption continues to rise

• Meeting energy needs whilst also managing environmental and economic impacts is a significant challenge

Global trends in energy consumption

Rising demand

• Population growth:

  • As the global population increases, so does energy demand

  • More people need energy for electricity, transport, heating and cooling

• Per capita energy demand:

  • People are using more energy per person

    • Particularly in developing countries where industrialisation and living standards are improving

Energy production and consumption changes

• Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas continue to supply the majority of the world's energy

• Renewable energy (e.g. wind, solar and hydro) is growing but still provides a smaller portion of global energy

  • E.g. in 2022, 80% of the world's energy came from fossil fuels, with renewable energy making up 12.7%

Reasons for changes in energy use

• Economic development:

  • As countries become wealthier, they tend to use more energy for:

    • Industrial processes

    • Transportation

    • Technology

  • For example, India’s energy consumption is rapidly increasing as it develops its manufacturing sector and infrastructure

• Environmental concerns:

  • Global concerns about climate change are driving a shift towards cleaner energy sources like solar and wind

  • Governments are setting targets to:

    • Reduce carbon emissions

    • Invest in renewable energy

  • For example, the European Union aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which requires a massive reduction in fossil fuel use

The role of fossil fuels

• Despite environmental concerns, fossil fuels still play a crucial role in supporting industries that are hard to power with renewable energy:

• Steel and concrete industries:

  • The production of steel and concrete relies heavily on coal and natural gas

  • Renewable energy is not yet suitable for these high-energy processes

    • For example, China is the world’s largest producer of steel, and its steel industry is responsible for a significant portion of global coal consumption

• Synthetic fertilisers:

  • Natural gas is essential for producing ammonia

    • Ammonia is a key ingredient in synthetic fertilisers that support global agriculture

    • As global food demand increases, the need for synthetic fertilisers (and therefore natural gas) is likely to continue

Meeting the growing demand for energy

Changing energy production resources

• Increased renewable energy:

  • Investing in renewable energy sources can help meet rising demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels

• Energy storage:

  • Storing energy efficiently is key to managing renewable sources that are not able to provide a constant supply, like solar and wind

    • For example, Tesla’s battery storage systems in Australia help store surplus solar energy for use at night or during low-wind periods

Reducing energy consumption

• Energy efficiency:

  • Improving the energy efficiency of appliances, vehicles and buildings can significantly reduce overall consumption

    • For example, the UK government has introduced stricter building regulations

    • These require homes to be more energy efficient, helping to lower overall energy demand

• Behavioural changes:

  • Encouraging individuals and industries to use less energy can make a big difference

Energy Choices

• Energy choices refer to the decisions a country makes about how it generates and consumes energy

• There are many factors that affect decisions, such as:

  • Economic cost

  • Pollution

  • Energy efficiency

  • Availability

  • Energy security

Factors influencing energy choices

Economic cost

• The cost of building and maintaining energy infrastructure plays a big role in energy choices

  • Fossil fuels: often cheaper to develop initially but come with high environmental and long-term costs

  • Renewables: may have higher upfront costs but offer long-term savings and environmental benefits

    • For example, solar energy is becoming more cost-competitive in many countries due to advances in technology and falling costs

Pollution

• Some energy sources cause more pollution than others

• Many countries are trying to balance energy needs with environmental health

  • Fossil fuels: emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and contribute to air pollution

  • Renewables: produce little to no pollution during operation

Energy efficiency

• Energy efficiency refers to how well energy is used and conserved.

  • Fossil fuels: often less efficient and result in energy waste during burning

  • Renewables: can be efficient but some rely on weather conditions

Availability

• The natural resources available to a country influence its energy choices

  • Fossil fuels: countries with large reserves of coal, oil, or natural gas are likely to use them as major energy sources

  • Renewables: depend on geographic features like sunlight, wind, or water availability

Energy security

• Energy security refers to a country’s ability to meet its energy needs reliably and without being overly dependent on foreign sources

  • Fossil fuels: many countries that rely on imported oil or gas face risks from fluctuating prices or geopolitical issues

  • Renewables: provide more energy security, as they are often produced locally and are not subject to international market fluctuations