The causes of the increasing global demand for energy

World Population growth

The world's population has increased rapidly over the last 100 years from 1.65 billion in 1900 to 5.98 billion in 1999 and is predicted to be as high as 8.91 billion in 2050. 

People now have access to washing machines, fridges, tumble dryers, dish washers, microwaves, television, computers and mobile phones, but this has not always been the case. As more and more people are using and buying these items, more energy is required to operate them and in their manufacture. Therefore as population increases our demand for energy increases. 

The rapid rise in the populations of Asian countries combined with their economic growth also accounts for the increase in energy use. For example, China uses a lot of energy to manufacture cheap products such as mobile phones. 

Increased Wealth

As people become wealthier they demand more products and consumer items, such as electrical devices. These goods use energy not only to operate them, but also in their manufacture.

E.g: The average wage in China has risen to 1750 yuan a month, four times higher than in 1995. This allows people to buy luxuries to make their lives more comfortable, and people desire to own goods such as computers, televisions or cars. As a result, private car ownership in China has increased from virtually zero in 1997 to 26 million in 2009. Cars not only use energy to operate, but require a lot of energy in their manufacture, so increasing personal wealth increases our demand for energy. 

Technological Advances

Technological advances have supplied is with increasing amounts of energy and a wide variety of good we can purchase. For example, the development of steam using coal led to large scale production in the UK. The use of coal in power stations has fuelled the Chinese economy. 

Modern technology allows the development of other sources of energy. E.g Nuclear power
Resources in the sea and in very inhospitable regions can now be exploited, E.g the Antarctic. 

Research and development has become a big business. Companies strive to produce smaller cameras, faster laptops and the most innovative games. These goods require energy to develop, make, and operate. Increasing numbers of people are buying these products, and companies are producing new products as a result. Increasing technological advances means our demand for energy has increased.