Runway Analytics Icon

World Energy Data Report - Vol 1: The Top Consumers

Written by Sam Finnerty

Climate Change has become and will continue to be one of the defining issues of our lifetime. Its global impacts are already being felt around the world, whether it is the massive wildfires in California, the rapidly warming Arctic, or the flooding in Venice. It is easy to feel helpless in the face of such a massive global crisis, to feel like there is nothing we can do as individuals to seriously confront this challenge. Where would we even start?

In the words of MLK, "You don't have to see the whole staircase... just take the first step".

One of the most important steps to take in confronting a problem is to learn about it and understand its roots. Currently, about 85% of all the energy consumed in the world comes from fossil fuels. The heat-trapping carbon dioxide emitted by the burning of these fuels is the driving force behind the global temperature rise we are experiencing today. To legitimately address this issue, we must transition the energy systems that fuel our nations’ economies to zero-emission sources as quickly as possible.

We don’t often hear about the data regarding World Energy Consumption, but it is important for this information to become a stronger focal point. Because much like in the world of personal finance, taking a closer look at what’s going on under the hood is essential for removing obstacles and taking control of our future.

Learning leads to discussion, and discussions lead to action. Our next few blog posts will focus on the data regarding the current state of World Energy Consumption. These posts (including this one) will contain interactive reports aimed at answering different questions regarding World Energy Consumption.

This first post focuses on some very simple questions:

How much energy does the world consume every year?

Which countries have the greatest overall energy consumption?

Which countries have the highest energy consumption per person?

The data in this report is sourced from BP World Energy Statistical Overview