The world consumes 159,000 litres of oil a second. American and British troops occupy Iraq, within whose borders lie the world's second largest oil reserves. Oil prices have hit record levels, and natural gas and coal prices are also rising steeply, as supply struggles to meet demand.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that our burning of fossil fuels is the primary cause of global warming. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and methane are now at their highest for 650,000 years. Air and sea temperatures are rising with catastrophic results for the planet's ecosystems. Widespread melting of snow and ice is contributing to a rising global average sea level.
In 2008 1.6 billion people still have no access to electricity. In fossil-fuel rich developing nations economic development is stifled by corruption and conflict exacerbated by wealth derived from fossil fuels. Western countries satisfy their demand for energy by buying fossil fuels from governments who maintain such injustice and abuse their citizens.
The current energy system is unsustainable, inhumane and is destroying the environment which sustains all life. The world is facing a multifaceted energy crisis which demands a comprehensive response.
The Sustainable Energy Security project seeks to redefine energy security for the 21st century so that it incorporates human security, fair energy distribution and genuine sustainability. The project is also exploring the special contribution Quakers can make to the shift in culture, behaviour and technology that will be required if we are to build a sustainable, secure future for all.
Return to the Sustainable Energy Security project page
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