Energy Consumption History & Trends

This episode explores the history of human energy consumption and modern trends in energy consumption.

Topics covered in this video:

0:00 - 5:06: Introduction
-History of humans and energy sources
sunlight and photosynthesis
energy sources needed
how fossil fuels changed the economy
Bar graphs of:
total energy use by all humans by era
energy use per person by era
types of energy sources used over time (wood, coal, petroleum, etc.)

5:07 - 7:39
Petroleum: description
hydrocarbons
crude oil
natural gas
link between fossil fuels and climate
combustion

7:40 - 8:41
use of petroleum by humans over the last few millenia
natural petroleum seeps

8:42 - 11:21
U.S. consumption of energy sources in kWh
global comparisons of energy use and oil consumption

11:22 - 16:08
U.S. energy sources, use, and purposes
Percent of energy from renewables, fossil fuels, etc.
dependence on fossil fuels
energy lost

Created by Prof. Richard Sedlock at San Jose State University.