Efficiency, Imports, and Emissions: The Shape of Things to Come

Every year, the Annual Energy Outlook  from the U.S. Energy Information Administration  tries to identify the big trends that are likely to shape the next 20 years in energy – and in this year’s edition, some key trends  are different from those that shaped the last 20 years. For instance:

In fact, overall energy demand will grow by a pretty modest 0.3 percent per year, and the EIA doesn’t expect it to rise as fast as it did before the Great Recession. That’s partly because of wider social trends. For example, the EIA is on the pessimistic side in projecting economic growth, and thinks population growth will be modest. That’s important, because more people means more demand for energy,

Unlock this story for free
Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles.

Unlock this story for free

Want the full story? Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free.
Already have an account?
SIGN IN

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet