What are your thoughts/knowledge of the US’s energy consumption compared to that of other countries?

Question

It is widely reported outside the US that its citizens use proportionately more energy per capita than any other country in the world. If this is in fact true, do Americans realise this? Are you interested in these facts? Does this affect the way you view your personal energy use? Does it concern you?

Of those of us who are not American citizens, are we outraged by this idea? Or do we think they’re entitled to do this? Do we care how much they use? Does it make a difference to your world?

Answer 1

Trying to compare our energy consumption to another country is like comparing Apples to toads.  It really doesn't make any sense at all.  

First, when they are talking about consumption, that includes all manufacturing, business, homes, farms, etc.  Most of our energy is consumed by Mfg and Bus. - these entities make things.  This in turn gives most of us jobs, where we can buy things, consume energy or not, based on our lifestyle.

Now am I concerned:  Not particularly.  Why is that?  First you have to decide what camp you are in.  One where the world is running out of energy or one where the world is not running out of energy.  I am in the camp that the world is not running out of energy.  Why?  Because we haven't yet tapped wind, ocean, solar, or even probed most of the world for oil.  Oil is still being made underground - always has, always will, see link.  What rate is it being made?  Don't know - but some is still being added to the equation.

The sun puts more energy on the earth than we need each day.  As we can harness that, we'll have plenty to support our lifestyle.

We are using less and less to make more and more.  We have been and are still getting more effiecient in energy use.  We can and should do more, but I'm not saying that we should quit using energy and live the lifestyle of a bedoin in the desert.  

We are indeed lucky to be living in the US at the time we are living.  Enjoy, make a small footprint and leave it for future generations.  

When we make as much money as the poorer countries, we'll use as much energy.  The reverse is also true!

Answer 2

Well, of course we use more. We have become accustomed to conveniences, gas guzzling autos, air conditioning, electronics and any of a number of energy dependent things.

We are spoiled and greedy. If you travel to other countries, you won't see gas guzzlers lining the city streets. People who live near cities tend to use smaller vehicles or motor cycles, or mopeds or scooters.

No a lot of  Americans don't think much beyond today, so they could care less about their energy use, unless the price goes up, then they can scream and shout.

I do pay attention to my energy use, small changes make a BIG difference.

It does concern me, we all need to pay more attention to how much energy we consume.

Answer 3

It has declined 10% since last year. What are you going to do about China? They have increased energy consuption by 25% in 10 years and will surpase the US within the decade.

Answer 4

We are the wealthiest country in the world. The USA has been an industrialized country ever since the industrial revolution of the 19th century. World War Two brought us out of the depression and we have had a hot economy ever since then. A hot economy needs energy and we are not entitled to anything. We are the most productive country in the world and that's why we use more energy than other countries. If other countries become wealthier than us than they will probably use more energy.