World Energy Resources

The graph on the right shows the reserve-to-production ratios for those fuels which meet almost 100% of today's requirements (i.e. the remaining number of years these fuels would last at our present level of consumption.)

It is not realistic to assume that there will be no increase in consumption. Therefore the graph below shows the reserve-to-production ratios assuming a 1% yearly increase in the consumption of crude oil and a 1.5% increase per year in the consumption of natural gas and coal. One can see clearly how the reserve-to-production ratios are decreasing. This representation is called the dynamic reserve-to-production ratio. It should be noted that the assumed rate of increase in consumption is rather moderate.

Oil and Gas

Those two fuels together meet more then 60% of the world's energy demand. Both fuels will be depleted in a few decades.

The IEA (International Energy Agency) -an institution of the United Nations- predicts an increasing gap between supply and demand starting in 2010. At first this gap will not be dramatic but no one can say for sure how the energy prices will develop in future. In any case demand will exceed supply.

A large part of the fossil resources -about half- has been used up in the last 100 years. Even in relation to the age of mankind this is a very short period of time.

Therefore it is less important whether fossil fuels will be depleted in 50 or rather in 70 years but the real issue is whether mankind should use them to the very end at all. The use of fossil fuels poses - apart from the problem of greenhouse gases- the question of a just distribution of resources. The generations to come will lack these resources we are using at such a great extent. We live at the expense of future generations.

We have the responsibility to develop and to apply alternative technologies, in order that coming generations can be sure to meet their energy requirement!