Climate change due to coal, oil, gas and renewable energy usage decreases, while global economy is on a growing path
According to newest data from the U.S. Department of Energy, energy intensity on a global level has fallen by 30 per cent during the last 26 years, and by 2 per cent since 2014.
“Until recently, the global economy and greenhouse gas emissions increased and decreased together. The dramatic drop we are seeing in global energy intensity is a very direct indication that energy efficiency measures are having a very direct impact on global carbon emissions. The carbon intensity is also decreasing due to the rapid transition that is now already taking place away from fossil fuel burning toward renewable energy. This is excellent news,” declared Michael Mann, climatologist at Penn State University.
As most of the countries are currently using less fossil fuel, they become more energetically efficient, therefore carbon emissions are also reducing year by year.
Similarly, according to data provided by the International Energy Agency in 2015, the global greenhouse gas emissions for the last three years in a row remained unchanged despite the growing economy worldwide by 3 per cent, as energy efficiency grew and more electricity was produced from natural or renewable sources.
The main reasons for the drop are considered to be the ecological buildings, modern vehicle engines and power plants. According to a report issued by the International Energy Agency, energy consumption has dropped by 18 per cent in the last 26 years in areas such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and Western Europe.
“At a global level, the decline in energy intensity is driven by a variety of factors, ranging from structural changes in economies from more intensive to less, efficiency gains such as fuel efficiency standards, to consumer behaviors — using energy differently,” EIA analyst Ari Kahan commented.
Statistically, Canada and Russia are considered to be the most energy-intensive countries in the world, while India and Mexico are the least.
