Global energy use

Key points:

• The most widely used sources of energy around the world are fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. These fuels are nonrenewable resources because they exist in a fixed amount and cannot be easily replaced.
• Across the globe, the use of fossil fuels is unevenly distributed. The largest per capita fossil fuel consumption tends to occur in developed countries. The term developed is generally used to describe countries that have relatively high levels of industrialization and income.
• The smallest per capita fossil fuel use tends to occur in developing countries. The term developing is generally used to describe countries that have relatively low levels of industrialization and income.
• Global energy demand is increasing as countries become more industrialized and populations grow.
• People’s energy use depends largely on availability, price, and governmental regulations. For example, if an energy source is readily available, people are more likely to use it. If energy prices are low, people are likely to use more energy than if prices are high. And, regulations can incentivize or limit energy use depending on a government's policy goals.