Overcoming the Mikado Situation

The history of energy concentrates on the history of energy supply. In contrast, this article is about energy demand. A real revolution in global energy demand has taken place over the last 60 years, essentially reflecting a steep rise in energy consumption. Over the last 200 years, we have seen four declines in resource and commodity prices, including energy, the steepest of which took place over the last 60 years. This is not on everyone's mind. Though people believe that energy becomes more expensive every day, the opposite is true. This belief has been the trigger for an absurd increase in energy supply. Because people are concerned about affordable energy, meaning cheap energy, the discussion centres on a further rise in demand and our obligation to meet this demand. Therefore, I may have a hard time persuading the public that an attractive alternative exists to first reduce the rise in demand, and ultimately reduce demand itself.