BPs Statistical Review of World Energy2009

The source report for this article posted by John is a very impressive set of data, tools, and documents produced by BP called the Statistical Review of World Energy2009.

First thing you might do is install the charting tool. The first chart it gives you is the big picture: world energy consumption.

World Energy Consumption from 1965 to 2008.

The "Highlights":

- oil consumption declined by 0.6% in 2008
- gas consumption increased by 2.5%
- coal consumption is the fastest growing fuel for the sixth consecutive year
- primary energy consumption grew by 1.4%

The Statistical Report appears to be a vast compendium of energy data, accessible and well-presented.

Not cheering info, however. If we're a global Exxon Valdez, that first chart suggests we're still picking up speed.

Carbon-dioxide emissions jump as countries burn coal

World carbon-dioxide emissions from energy use rose 1.8 percent last year as China, India and Russia burned more coal, the most polluting fuel for generating power, data compiled by BP Plc indicate.

Fossil-fuel combustion in electricity plants, vehicles and heaters across the planet released 31.5 billion metric tonnes of the greenhouse gas, 570 million tonnes more than in 2007, the figures show. China's coal consumption climbed 7.1 per cent, adding 366 million tonnes of emissions, using conversion factors provided by BP, the U.K. oil company.

Coal now produces more CO2 than oil, and China's growing share of its use means both themes will drive global talks under way for a new climate-protection treaty.

At the same time, developed countries continue releasing many times more gases per person than less-wealthy economies, a fact China uses in arguing that the biggest emissions cuts should come from richer nations.