Despite all the talk about green energy and saving the planet, it turns out our world is still running on the not-so-clean stuff.
The 2023 statistics are in, and they might just make you spill your organic, fair-trade coffee.
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what kept our lights on and our cars moving last year.
Big 3 in energy: Oil, coal, and natural gas
Imagine a pie chart of the world’s energy.
Now, picture a huge slice – we’re talking 81% huge – that’s colored in shades of brown and black.
That’s right, fossil fuels are still the heavyweight champions.
As per the Statistical Review of World Energy (included below), oil took the gold medal at 32%, with coal and natural gas fighting for silver and bronze at 26% and 23% respectively.
China: The coal-powered dragon
While the rest of the world is trying to kick its coal habit, China is still puffing away like there’s no tomorrow.
They gobbled up a whopping 56% of the world’s coal in 2023. That’s more than all of Europe and North America combined!
Speaking of which, India just overtook these two regions in coal consumption. Talk about a power shift!
Renewables: The plucky underdogs
But it’s not all doom and gloom!
Renewables are like that little engine that could, chugging along and slowly gaining ground.
They made up 14.6% of the energy mix in 2023, with solar and wind leading the charge at 8%.
Throw in some hydroelectric power and nuclear, and we’re looking at about 19% of the world’s energy coming from cleaner sources.
The great energy divide
Here’s where things get a bit unfair.
Imagine if energy was a pizza.
Folks in North America, the CIS, and the Middle East are each chowing down on almost three slices, while people in Africa, South Asia, and South America are sharing just one slice between them.
That’s the kind of energy inequality we’re dealing with.
Looking ahead: A greener future?
While fossil fuels are still king, the renewable revolution is gaining momentum.
The US is now exporting more energy than it imports (go figure!), and countries are racing to build more solar panels and wind turbines than ever before.
So, what’s the takeaway?
We’re still addicted to fossil fuels, but change is in the air.
It’s like trying to turn a massive ship – it takes time, but once it starts moving, there’s no stopping it.
Here’s hoping that by this time next year, we’ll have even better news to share about our global energy mix!
Read the full report here:
