On The World Energy Requirements And The Need For An International Energy Policy

Abstract

Abstract This up-to-date study of the supply and demand of world energy resources is based on an analysis of the regional and global changes in the pattern of energy production and its consumption during the last two decades. Since World War II, nations of the world have aspired to achieve the common goal of a higher and higher standard of living. This desire for higher affluence coupled with a population explosion have more than doubled population explosion have more than doubled the rate of energy consumption during that period. Technological growth and its spread period. Technological growth and its spread around the world has also contributed to this demand for energy. Changes in the patterns of availability and relative prices of energy resources have affected patterns of interfuel substitution and continue to affect the demand for oil and gas. During the last few years environmental concern has become a major issue further affecting the consumption patterns of energy resources. Projections of the world energy requirements in years 1980 and 2000 are based on implicit correlations of one or more influencing factors such as population, GNP, personal income, technological innovations, and interfuel substitution. Regional supplies of energy resources are viewed in relation to their demand and their future influence on the world energy situation. The importance of disparities in petroleum source-markets are shown to be of petroleum source-markets are shown to be of utmost importance in formulating national energy policies. Finally, a "system" approach to global demand and supply of energy resources is suggested with a proposal for an International energy policy.