Energy Use
Energy use is a term we use lightly. It comes in many forms. Of course we are most familiar with electricity and gas in our homes. We also use fuel energy, petrol and diesel, to power our cars. Increasingly that is also electricity.
Petrol, diesel and gas being fossil fuels, along with coal of course. Use of fossil fuels results in an increase of the greenhouse gas CO2 in our precious atmosphere.
All types of energy use come at a cost to the environment. Compared to fossil fuel energy, renewable energy is responsible for less CO2 emissions. However, it still has a carbon footprint. Click here to learn more.
Production of a kilogramme of beans has a much lower energy use than production of a kilogramme of beef.
Finally there is another source of energy. Our food. This gives us energy. Growing and processing food uses energy.
If we eat cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and fish, they need food energy. Remember energy can neither be created nor destroyed, just changed.
Food for the humans on the planet, food for our farm animals and our pets. All wild creatures need food too. The food industry also pumps that gas, CO2 into the atmosphere as well. It also adds large quantities of Nitrous Oxide and Methane, both much more powerful greenhouse gases than CO2, but with a much shorter half life. I will explain in due course.
Renewable Energy Use
It is important to understand or at least know the First Rule of Thermodynamics which is Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be transformed from one state to another.
Biomass or biomass derived Ethanol are NOT renewable energy sources.
“Labour without energy is a corpse; Capital without energy is a sculpture”
Introducing Energy into Economic Theory
“Steve Keen”
“A machine without energy is a sculpture”
“Steve Keen”
“An animal without energy is a corpse”
“Steve Keen”