Historical Trends in US Energy Consumption and Imports In 1900 domestically mined coal provided 90% of the US energy supply, but by 1930 this share was cut by a third; the use of cars drove the consumption of petroleum, and hydroelectricity and natural gas usage also significantly increased. All of these energy sources were domestically produced, and the US was a major exporter of fossil fuels; “U.S. oil fields accounted for slightly less than two-thirds of world oil production in 1920, slightly more than two-thirds in 1945, and 16.5 percent in 1973” (Painter 2014). The US oil majors also worked hand in hand with the US state as they started to develop deposits abroad, with control of the core energy source required for modern industrial nations having major geopolitical ramifications in addition to profit making. For example, the 1928
Entering into the climate change arena is moot. IMHO The reality is that CO₂ warming was a poorly-chosen strategic deflection from the difficulty of dealing with the vast majority of fossil fuels being in the hands of countries hostile to the West. Elon Musk has partially vindicated this strategy by innovatively introducing the EV that will reduce fossil fuel demand by ⅓. However, there remains the existential question of the reliance of military power on fossil fuels for explosives and air power, and thus USA research into rail guns and zero carbon systems.
Entering into the climate change arena is moot. IMHO The reality is that CO₂ warming was a poorly-chosen strategic deflection from the difficulty of dealing with the vast majority of fossil fuels being in the hands of countries hostile to the West. Elon Musk has partially vindicated this strategy by innovatively introducing the EV that will reduce fossil fuel demand by ⅓. However, there remains the existential question of the reliance of military power on fossil fuels for explosives and air power, and thus USA research into rail guns and zero carbon systems.
Thank God for democracy!