United States of America 

Energy Use in the U.S.A

The United States uses the 2nd highest amount of energy in the entire world, consuming 18% of the world's total energy consumption, while only making up 5% of the population*. 

 

Our society, both globally and especially in the U.S., has become extremely dependent on energy. Specifically, on fossil fuels, which power about 3/4 of our energy needs. As seen on the diagram, we have become extremely reliant on the non-renewable energy source petroleum. Petroleum a fossil fuel that is extremely dirty and harmful to the environment, yet it stills makes up 36% of our country's energy consumption. Unfortunately, renewable energy is much less common. Renewable energy is a cleaner option that has much less harmful effects on the earth. We are not taking full potential of the resources that are much more accessible. For example, though the sun has the ability to power the all of the worldwide energy needs in less than 40 minutes, according to the Texas Solar Energy Society, solar energy makes up less than 1% of all of our energy sources. As the demand for energy rises with our growing population, the demand for alternatives to fossil fuels must rise too. 

 

 

 

 

 

*According to World Population Balance