Vital GEO Graphics

Population increases, income growth and the glo- bal liberalization of trade in goods-and-services all stimulate an increase in energy demand. The world is facing twin threats: inadequate and insecure supplies of energy at affordable prices, and environ- mental damage due to overconsumption of energy. Global demand for energy keeps growing, placing an ever-increasing burden on natural resources and the environment. For about three decades, world primary energy demand grew by 2.1 per cent annually, rising from 5 566 million tonnes oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 1971 to 11 204 Mtoe in 2004. Over two-thirds of this increase came from developing countries, but OECD countries still account for almost 50 per cent of world energy demand. For example in 2004, primary energy use per capita in OECD countries was still 10 times higher than in sub-Saharan Africa. The past 20 years have seen increasing water use for food and energy production to meet the de- mands of a growing population and to enhance hu- man well-being, a continuing global trend. However, the changes in the way water is used have signifi- cant adverse impacts, which require urgent attention to ensure sustainability.

The North America region is the highest per capita water user in the world. One of the key reasons is its low cost, the lowest among the world’s industrialized countries, given the subsidies to industry, agriculture and municipalities. Another reason is that North America is a net exporter of food, and thus the world’s biggest exporter of “virtual water,” which is the water contained in the food.

D ownload G raphic 2

Comparison of per capita water use by region

1 800 m 3 per person

Africa Asia and the Pacific Europe Latin America and the Caribbean North America West Asia

1 600

1 400

1 200

1 000

800

600

400

200

0

1998–02

Source: GEO Data Portal, compiled from FAO AQUASTAT 2007

D ownload G raphic 2

Total primary energy supply by energy source

Crude, NLG and feedstocks (crude oil)

Coal and coal products

Natural gas

Combustible renewables and waste

Nuclear

Hydro

1987 2004

Geothermal

Solar/Wind/Other

0

500

Note: NLG = Natural liquiefied gas.

1 500

2 500

3 000

3 500

4 000

1 000

2 000

4 500

million tonnes oil equivalent

Source: GEO Data Portal, compiled from IEA 2007a

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