6.4B - Energy Consumption
Access to and consumption of energy resources depends upon physical availability, cost, technology, public perception, level of economic development and economic priorities (national comparisons: USA vs France)
Factors affecting per capita energy consumption:
- physical availability
- cost
- standard of living
- environmental priorities (of governments)
- for some, energy policy will be taking the cheapest route to meeting the nation's energy needs, regardless of the environmental costs. Others will seek to increase their reliance on renewable sources of energy; wile still other will have in place policies that raise energy efficiency and energy saving
- climate
- Very high levels of consumption in North America, the Middle East and Australia reflect the extra energy needed to make the extremes of heat and cold more comfortable (at home, at work and in public places)
- public perception
- for some consumers, energy is perceived almost as a human right and therefore to be used with little or no regard for the environmental consequences. Others give priority to minimising the wastage of energy and maximising security
- economic development
- technology
France vs the USA
The USA and France rank second and tenth in the league table of energy consumers respectively, but total energy consumption in France is only one-tenth that of the USA. The difference is largely explained by differences in population - 318.9 million in the USA compared with 64.6 million in France. In per capita terms, the USA tops the rankings whilst France is placed sixth.
In the USA, over three quarters of energy comes from fossil fuels. The French energy mix is very different, with half its energy coming from fossil fuels and around 40% coming from nuclear energy. In terms of energy security, France is much less well placed than the USA, if only because nearly half of its primary energy is imported. The USA is much more self-sufficient.
NEED DATA FOR THE ENERGY MIXES OF THE USA AND FRANCE!
In the USA, over three quarters of energy comes from fossil fuels. The French energy mix is very different, with half its energy coming from fossil fuels and around 40% coming from nuclear energy. In terms of energy security, France is much less well placed than the USA, if only because nearly half of its primary energy is imported. The USA is much more self-sufficient.
NEED DATA FOR THE ENERGY MIXES OF THE USA AND FRANCE!