Civilization's Future: How Energy Defines And Constrains Our Progress

Civilization depends on energy. Our civilization's future will be shaped by the availability of energy supplies. Understanding our present and historical access to and use of energy can markedly increase the chances of continuing our civilization's advance. Nevertheless, the finite extent of our planet constrains us to an upper limit of available energy. As a result, the success of our civilization relies on our ability to maximize the benefits of our finite supply, at least until we can tap into energy supplies off of Earth.

Energy itself is nebulous. It's as essential to us as oxygen. Three minutes without air and we will die. The same occurs with the absence of energy. Without sufficient amounts, our bodies fail. Our energy comes as food. A little deprivation and our stomachs gnaw at our minds. Extend this longer and we become lethargic and weak. After days or weeks, the lack of energy prevents us from using our muscles. We can't walk. We don't think. Eventually, even our heart can't beat. Energy, for us and every other life form on this planet, is a necessity.

Energy is just as critical for our civilization. We use energy for quick, steady and reliable transportation to move ourselves and our trade goods from one location to another. Energy is the basis for a nearly instantaneous global communication system. Our institutes of higher learning employ more powerful, energy-hungry equipment to test new theories and advance our knowledge. Most of all, energy is the basis of our food supply. Almost all the trappings of today's civilization have come from our ability to use energy for our means.

Our energy comes from the Sun's rays, fossil fuels and flowing water. On the equator, the Sun beams down its energy every day of the year and, given appropriate conditions, a bountiful harvest of leaf and root prevail. The Middle East sits on the largest store of preserved energy, its natural reservoirs of petroleum. Niagara Falls, a wonder of the world, channels river water over a precipice and through hydro-generation stations. We find energy in its various forms throughout the world. It is just another natural resource fed into our civilization.

Yet energy crises dominate headlines of popular newspapers and many influential magazines. Tales of soaring gas prices, oil dangerously pried from the oceans depths and rotating electrical blackouts shout out at us. Hypothetical oil futures drive the cost of gasoline more than extraction costs. For the second time in recent North American history, the first being in the early 1970s, an energy crisis makes introspection a worthwhile activity.

Just how do we consume energy? Most everyone in North America drives their own car. Leaders and managers usually have multiple cars to choose from, maybe even personal airplanes. Long distance vacation travel is more a right than an option. Endless supplies of fresh tropical fruits lighten winters in the high latitudes. Personal accommodations get larger and more luxurious. All these require energy to construct, grow and maintain. This is where we allocate energy.

Our reliance upon energy is perhaps equalled only by our disregard for this reliance. Perhaps years of excess supplies of energy have dulled our reasoning. But our Earth is finite and, therefore, all resources found on it must also be finite in quantity. Any legacy of our civilization must subscribe to this concept. If we choose to accomplish noteworthy endeavours, we need energy.

This book is written to enable the reader without formal training to appreciate what is meant by energy, how we have used it through the ages, where we place today's allocations and how energy directs our future.