Consumption and energy

Most aspects of human life are predicated on the consumption of goods and services which require energy for their provision. The enjoyment of warm buildings, private transport and air travel are examples of such. Physical impacts on the environment arise through direct energy services to the consumer, and because of energy used in the industrial and services sectors in manufacturing goods and providing services.

The scientific consensus is that to limit climate change, global greenhouse gas emission will have to be reduced by 60% over the coming decades.  World population will increase by about half over the next fifty years. Assuming an ethic of equity in per capita carbon dioxide emission allowance, then carbon emission in most rich countries has to fall by over 90% from current levels. To accomplish this, radical technological and social adaptations will be needed.Energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies are vital elements in strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, these technical measures run into greater marginal economic and environmental costs with increasing levels of implementation. In practical terms, this makes it difficult to reach reductions of over 90% with these means, at least with proven technologies.