Clean
energy US power team lights path away from fossil fuels
N
ot since 1973 has world
20 per cent. The US – which for
energy use increased by
now retains its title as the world’s
as much, in percentage
largest energy consumer over a
terms, as it did in 2010.
fast-encroaching China – broadly mirrors this spread.
The Economist reported this fact in June 2011, drawn from BP’s annual
Scientists and economists alike
Statistical Review of World Energy,
warn that continued reliance on
which baldly stated that 2010’s
finite resources for another two
energy consumption had risen
decades would be devastating
5.6 per cent on the previous year.
for both the global environment and business. Even with massive
Global energy consumption is
growth, renewable energies are
expected to double by 2030 and
in no position to knock fossil
yet, according to the International
fuels off their perch any time
Energy Agency, 80 per cent of the
soon. However, as Halcrow’s Tom
world’s current generation capacity
Stringfellow explains, a market
comes from burning fossil fuels: oil
for viable alternatives to carbon-
provides 35 per cent of all primary
intensive power is essential if the
energy, coal accounts for 25 per
world is to avoid future energy and
cent and natural gas chips in with
environmental crises.
16 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people