The current scenario
In the last 100 years, mankind has consumed most of the available fossil fuels on this planet. The increased usage of fossil fuels is directly linked to the technological innovation that was so characteristic for the last century. The technological developments in mobility, information, communication and food production have increased the wealth and standard of living in large portions of the world and have also resulted in a rapid growth of the total population.
A growing population, with a continues demand for a higher standard of living is already resulting in a shortage of food, water and energy resources. When the supply of energy can no longer meet the demand, the (technological) development of society and the increase of wealth will grind to a halt, which will have a devastating impact on many socio-economic levels.
Not only the shortage of energy resources poses a risk. The usage of traditional fuels largely affects our natural environment. The impact of carbon-emission on our climate is beginning to show and the mining for the last remaining supplies of fossil fuel has already resulted in environmental disaster on several occasions.
When the current status quo concerning our energy supply remains unchanged, an unstable society, unpredictable economy and uninhabitable planet will be the inevitable result.
