Is Energy Sustainability Feasible? Consumption, Efficiency, and Environmental Impact

One of the critical challenges in achieving sustainability is finding a way to meet the energy consumption needs of a growing population in the face of increasing economic prosperity and finite resources. In 1977, global resource consumption began exceeding planetary supply and by 2030, global energy demand, population, and gross domestic product are projected to greatly increase over 1977 levels. Here we present a simple yet rigorous procedure for assessing and counterbalancing the relationship between energy demand, environmental impact, population, GDP, and energy efficiency. Our analyses indicated that infeasible increases in energy efficiency (over 100%) would be required by 2030 to return to 1977 environmental impact levels and annual reductions (2% and 3%) in energy demand resulted in physical, yet impractical requirements; hence, hybrid approaches are needed. This work emphasizes the challenge in reaching energy sustainability and helps to frame possible solutions to sustainable energy strategies.