There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.

There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.

There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.

The United States emits about 18% of the world’s greenhouse gases, behind only China, which accounts for approximately one-quarter of total global emissions. 

The United States emits about 18% of the world’s greenhouse gases, behind only China, which accounts for approximately one-quarter of total global emissions. 

The United States emits about 18% of the world’s greenhouse gases, behind only China, which accounts for approximately one-quarter of total global emissions. 

In 2014, about 38% of harvested corn in the US went to make ethanol and its associated coproducts

In 2014, about 38% of harvested corn in the US went to make ethanol and its associated coproducts

In 2014, about 38% of harvested corn in the US went to make ethanol and its associated coproducts

In 2014, about 38% of harvested corn in the US went to make ethanol and its associated coproducts

In 2014, about 38% of harvested corn in the US went to make ethanol and its associated coproducts

Increasing market share of compact fluorescents was primarily responsible for the increased lighting efficiency between 2001 and 2010.

Increasing market share of compact fluorescents was primarily responsible for the increased lighting efficiency between 2001 and 2010.

Increasing market share of compact fluorescents was primarily responsible for the increased lighting efficiency between 2001 and 2010.

For decades, more than half of all residential energy use went  to space heating and cooling; in 1993, it accounted for nearly 60%. But EIA data show that by 2009, that share had dropped to 48%. And in the period 1993 to 2009, energy for appliances, electronics, and lighting rose from 24% to 35%, owing to the proliferation of appliances, as well as trends toward larger TVs and other devices.

U.S. energy consumption is projected to rise 9% by 2040, or 0.3% per  year, while global consumption will increase about 50% over the same period 

U.S. energy consumption is projected to rise 9% by 2040, or 0.3% per  year, while global consumption will increase about 50% over the same period 

U.S. energy consumption is projected to rise 9% by 2040, or 0.3% per  year, while global consumption will increase about 50% over the same period 

U.S. energy consumption is projected to rise 9% by 2040, or 0.3% per  year, while global consumption will increase about 50% over the same period 

Extraction of "tight" oil—light crude oil contained in geological formations of shale or sandstone—accounted for only 12% of total U.S. oil production in 2008. By 2012, it made up 35%, and is predicted to rise to 50% in the near term.

Most direct uses of primary energy are limited to generating heat and motion. Electricity, by contrast, is extremely versatile, with a wide range of complex applications. 

Most direct uses of primary energy are limited to generating heat and motion. Electricity, by contrast, is extremely versatile, with a wide range of complex applications. 

On average, a typical coal-burning power plant in 2013 was about 33% efficient in converting heat energy into electrical power. A gas-fired plant was about 42% efficient. And in natural gas combined-cycle power plants—in which waste heat from a natural gas turbine is used to power a steam turbine—generation may be as much as 60% efficient.

On average, a typical coal-burning power plant in 2013 was about 33% efficient in converting heat energy into electrical power. A gas-fired plant was about 42% efficient. And in natural gas combined-cycle power plants—in which waste heat from a natural gas turbine is used to power a steam turbine—generation may be as much as 60% efficient.