why are we having an energy crisis?
why are we having an energy crisis? It’s no secret that the world’s energy crisis has reached epic proportions, and the resources that power our homes and businesses continue to dwindle year after year. But what many people don’t know is why this crisis exists in the first place, and how it can be solved once and for all. This article will explore the origins of our world’s current energy crisis its effects on our environment and our economy, and offer solutions that we must implement if we are to survive as a planet into the future.
The Energy Crisis Happened Before
why are we having an energy crisis? As prices have skyrocketed, and talk of peak oil has run rampant, it’s easy to imagine that there is something new happening with our fuel supply. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For example, in 1973 President Nixon declared a state of emergency because of a shortage in oil supplies. So while it might seem new and scary now, don’t worry—this all happened before. And yet we made it through and thrived! We’re sure that we can make it through again. All hope is not lost!
Information from the Past Can Prevent Problems in the Future
There is one major factor contributing to both of these global issues: climate change. Climate change may not be well understood by many, but it’s actually very simple—the world’s weather is changing. When greenhouse gases enter our atmosphere and trap heat, it creates rising temperatures and changing patterns that can wreak havoc on crops and lead to drought, flooding, heat waves, cold snaps, and other extreme weather events.
This means more air pollution and more polluted water, which could become a public health problem as early as 2050 if things continue at their current rate. Addressing climate change now could help prevent future problems with energy production and supply. Currently, most countries have agreed to reduce emissions until 2025 or 2030—so there’s still time for us all to take action now before things get worse.
Carbon Footprint Increases as Technology Improves
People have been using fossil fuels for more than a century, but recently there has been a significant increase in consumption. Rising levels of production and consumption have pushed us to develop technology to produce more with less. These technological advancements have led to increased efficiencies that reduce our carbon footprint — however, they’ve also meant that fossil fuels are being consumed at a faster rate than they can be replenished.
Weather Patterns Impact Energy Usage
As anyone who’s ever had to shovel their car out of a foot and a half of snow can tell you, weather patterns impact our energy usage. As long as there’s enough snow on your roof and salt in your driveway, you don’t need to worry about heating or cooling your home. Unfortunately, there are times when it would be nice if Mother Nature could supply us with that much insulation against climate change.
For instance, California experienced its hottest day on record on July 5th, where temperatures soared past 120 degrees F; Southern California is also experiencing its largest wildfire in history right now.
Canada’s Largest Source of Electricity is Water
Canada’s electricity is generated using a wide variety of sources, but hydroelectric power makes up approximately two-thirds of it. Hydroelectric dams generate some of the world’s cleanest and most renewable forms of electricity, and Canada is currently in an enviable position: abundant access to water and hydropower resources means that one day soon, our reliance on fossil fuels for generating power may be a thing of our past.
All good news so far…until you consider what happens when these same reservoirs begin to dry up! What happens if there’s not enough water in our rivers to supply all of these newly built power plants and turbines with their required source of water? Have governments even thought about this possibility or prepared for it by making provisions, or have they simply gone ahead without accounting for future weather patterns or population growth?
The World Needs Better Energy Solutions
The world needs better, cleaner ways to generate and store electricity. Not only will these innovations help fight climate change and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but they could have huge implications for underdeveloped countries that lack access to affordable power. This is especially true for millions of people living in rural areas without electricity or clean water—many of whom have started to turn to solar-powered lanterns as a way out of poverty.
Also read: why are we having an energy crisis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_crisis
