Energy-Arithmetic

The Arithmetic of Sustainability ← Series Home The current discourse surrounding sustainable energy is frequently dominated by “twaddle.” Everyone agrees that transitioning away from fossil fuels is crucial, and individuals are encouraged to “make a difference,” yet many of the actions and proposals suggested simply don’t add up when scrutinized numerically. This high level of “twaddle emissions” arises because public debate often becomes emotional—concerning wind farms or nuclear power, for example—and people rarely discuss concrete numbers. If numbers are mentioned, they’re often cherry-picked to create an impression, sound impressive, or score points in arguments, rather than genuinely contributing to thoughtful discussion. ...

The Arithmetic of Sustainability ← Series Home The initial step in tackling the formidable challenge of moving away from fossil fuels is to calculate precisely the sheer scale of the problem: determining the total energy we consume. The current sustainable energy discourse is often mired in emotion and “twaddle,” obscuring the fundamental numerical challenge ahead. To create viable strategies rather than “pipedreams,” we must quantify our energy use—the “red stack”—and compare it directly against potential sustainable production—the “green stack.” ...

The Arithmetic of Sustainability ← Series Home The vast appetite of affluent societies, quantified as the “red stack” of consumption—approximately 125 kWh per day per person in Britain—is overwhelmingly fueled by transport and heating. For the typical car driver, road transport alone consumes about 40 kWh per day. Successfully migrating away from fossil fuels and achieving the drastic emissions reductions required (potentially greater than 85% for Britain) demands a fundamental, numerically sound strategy for tackling this consumption pillar. ...

The Arithmetic of Sustainability ← Series Home The arithmetic of sustainable energy necessitates tackling consumption first. In Britain, total consumption stands at approximately 125 kWh per day per person. We have already established that electrification can radically reduce the energy consumed by surface transport, transforming the 40 kWh/d fossil fuel burden into a much smaller electrical demand. The next formidable challenge—the second largest of the “three biggest fish” in our consumption picture—is heating. ...