2020 the average annual per capita energy supply of about 40 percent of the world’s population (3.1 billion people, which includes nearly all people in sub-Saharan Africa) was no higher than the rate achieved in both Germany and France in 1860! In order to approach the threshold of a dignified standard of living, those 3.1 billion people will need
... See moreVaclav Smil • How the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We're Going
To give just a single key comparison, in 2020 the average annual per capita energy supply of about 40 percent of the world’s population (3.1 billion people, which includes nearly all people in sub-Saharan Africa) was no higher than the rate achieved in both Germany and France in 1860! In order to approach the threshold of a dignified standard of li
... See moreVaclav Smil • How the World Really Works
There is a great conflict between two of the most pressing problems of our time: poverty and climate change. To avoid global warming, the world needs to massively reduce CO2 emissions. But to end poverty, the world needs massive amounts of energy. In developing economies, every kWh of energy consumed is worth roughly $5 of GDP.
Roots of Progress • Why Has Nuclear Power Been a Flop?
Population Increase = 61.98%
GNI Per Capita Increase = 287.44%
As we can see, although India has experienced high population growth, its GNI per capita has increased at a faster rate. As a result, the quality of life in India has risen. This has given India more options for pursuing economic growth. As we discussed last week, energy = life, and e
... See moreSubstack • Energy Consumption Per Capita – Part 2
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that global energy consumption in 2050 will increase by 50%, but we absolutely can’t afford to meet this incredible level of energy consumption with our current greenhouse gas-laden methods for energy generation: The consequences to our environment would be dire.
Bessemer Venture Partners • Investing in a world powered by nuclear fission
the correlation coefficient for the world’s 35 most populous countries is 0.98!
Vaclav Smil • Creating the Twentieth Century: Technical Innovations of 1867-1914 and Their Lasting Impact (Technical Revolutions and Their Lasting Impact)
In contrast, electricity intensity continued to increase even after 1950: electricity