Why is energy consumption increasing?

Energy consumption has rapidly increased since the 1950s. Reasons for this include economic development, rising population, and technological developments.

Economic development

Economic development leads to higher energy demand. Currently, the most significant need for energy comes from HICs such as the USA and Australia and rapidly developing NEEs such as Brazil, China, and Nigeria. In the future, energy demand will likely develop in LICs, especially in Africa.

Agriculture

As a country develops, there is a higher demand for food, leading to more intensive farming techniques. These techniques require additional energy to power machinery and provide lighting and heat. The processing, manufacturing, and transport of food also lead to increased energy demands. As agriculture shifts from subsistence to commercial farming, the demand for energy also increases as a country develops.

Industry

Rapid industrialisation leads to the development of processing and manufacturing industries. Global energy demands are increasing, fuelled by industrialisation in NEEs. Future demands are likely to come from current LICs as they develop.

Transport

As improvements in living standards continue worldwide, car ownership has continued to grow. Despite advances in engine efficiency, car manufacturing places considerable demands on energy.

Urbanisation

Energy demand increases with urbanisation. As more people live in urban areas, the demand for energy for lighting, cooking, domestic appliances, and heating also increases. In the future, urbanisation will place energy demands on regions such as Africa and parts of Asia.

Wealth

As people become wealthier, their energy demand grows with increased purchases of domestic appliances and leisure and recreation activities. Global energy supplies will increase significantly in highly populated NEEs such as India, China and Brazil.

Rising population

Population growth creates an increased demand for energy. Since 1950, the world’s population has increased dramatically, leading to the growth of energy demand. The overwhelming majority of this growth has been in LICs and NEEs, where there are already energy deficits.

Population growth is most significant on the African continent, with considerable energy insecurity. Energy provision will be a significant challenge for Africa in the future.

Technology

Developments in technology have brought both positive and negative impacts on the supply and consumption of energy.

Technological advances have allowed fossil fuel exploitation from challenging environments deep below the ocean or from shale rock (fracking).

Renewable energy has become more efficient and cost-effective in recent years. However, the cost of this technology is restrictive in some LICs.

Vehicle engines have become more fuel-efficient, reducing energy consumption and emissions.

Charging an electric car

Energy conservation has improved through developments such as the widespread use of LEDs for lighting and more energy-efficient heating systems.

However, technological developments have led to an increase in consumer demand for electrical devices that are energy-intensive to produce.