US is NOT energy inefficient

[kirbinster]

Front page of today's WSJ shows that the US consumes no more energy per unit of GDP than the rest of the world. The analysis shows the amount of oil equivalents in tons needed to produce each $1,000 worth of GDP. The world average is 0.21, Germany came in at 0.17 while the UK came in at 0.14. The US and China come in at 0.22 and 0.23, respectively. Russia comes in at a whopping 0.51 while the Ukraine is at 0.53.

What people fail to realize is that to a large degree the US uses more oil than countries like the UK and Germany because of the size of the country. People in Europe don't commute the distances that people in the US commute. Most people in the US drive on average somewhere between 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. If you subtracted that out you would probably find that our industries are the most energy efficient in the entire world, as all that oil used for driving is contained in these energy per unit of GDP figures. So the rest of the world should get the rest of their energy usage in line before that start casting stones at the US for using so much oil for cars. We make up for that usage in the rest of our economy.

Let the stones and arrows start flying from all you tree huggers

[tripp]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kirbinster @ May 9 2006, 10:36 AM) [snapback]252183[/snapback]</div>

Front page of today's WSJ shows that the US consumes no more energy per unit of GDP than the rest of the world. The analysis shows the amount of oil equivalents in tons needed to produce each $1,000 worth of GDP. The world average is 0.21, Germany came in at 0.17 while the UK came in at 0.14. The US and China come in at 0.22 and 0.23, respectively. Russia comes in at a whopping 0.51 while the Ukraine is at 0.53.

What people fail to realize is that to a large degree the US uses more oil than countries like the UK and Germany because of the size of the country. People in Europe don't commute the distances that people in the US commute. Most people in the US drive on average somewhere between 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. If you subtracted that out you would probably find that our industries are the most energy efficient in the entire world, as all that oil used for driving is contained in these energy per unit of GDP figures. So the rest of the world should get the rest of their energy usage in line before that start casting stones at the US for using so much oil for cars. We make up for that usage in the rest of our economy.

Let the stones and arrows start flying from all you tree huggers
[/b]

Europeans probably drive less, but their average consumption (of oil) per unit distance is probably considerably lower. They tend to drive much more fuel efficient vehicles. They probably also rely on freight trains versus tractor trailers for a lot of their transportation. By your calcs the Germans are 23% more efficient and the Brits are 36% more efficient. That's pretty substantial.

Since our GDP is bigger, we consume/pollute much more than SOME of those contries. Also, since so much of our manufacturing has gone overseas I wonder how that impacts your numbers. For example, how much plastic is still made here in the US. We've probably exported a lot of our pollution elsewhere would be my guess.

Canada's pollution has skyrocketed as they've rachetted up their oil sand/oil production. We consume a lot of that oil. It does point out that people are people and that if they can make a tonne of money with filthy, nasty resources they won't hesitate to do it. Americans are definitely NOT unique in that respect. We're just a convienent target. Not that we don't deserve some criticism, we do, but a lot of those folks throwing stones need to take a good look in the mirror.

[jbarnhart]

And just as our industry is some of the most efficient in the world, we can do even better on our transportation efficiency. As long as we have the ability to do better, we should follow through. Encourage friends and family members to trade in SUVs for Prius!

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kirbinster @ May 9 2006, 11:36 AM) [snapback]252183[/snapback]</div>

What people fail to realize is...[/b]

Why does that justify not adopting technology improvements?

In other words, full hybrids are proving themselves worthy. So resisting the change, which will inevitably bring improvements as a result, simply does not make any sense.

[TonyPSchaefer]

OK. Let's say that American industry is efficient. I personally know of ways to improve it. Intellectual Property laws dictate that I can't send you my information, but you would get a good feel at the Energy Star, LEED, ASHRAE, and other energy sites.

But let's suspend that and say that we are efficient. We can still do better. But the question is why do better.
- Why run a mile in under 4 minutes when walking is just fine?
- Why build a car that can accelerate 0 - 60 MPH in under 5 seconds when you can accomplish the same feat in 10?
- Why get a post-graduate education when it's possible to live out a life with a high school education?
- Why build faster airplanes when the slow ones still manage to reach their destinations?

If anyone honestly tells me that it's important to run faster, accelerate more briskly, become more intelligent, and arrive sooner, I beg that you tell me why we should not bother improving efficiencies when there are other countries with less efficient techniques?

[JackDodge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kirbinster @ May 9 2006, 12:36 PM) [snapback]252183[/snapback]</div>

Let the stones and arrows start flying from all you tree huggers
[/b]

<sniff, sniff> you aren't a troll by any chance, are you?

[EricGo]

As Tripp alluded to, I doubt the GDP is much use in answering this question because 1, service industries are relatively low energy users and account recent US GDP increases, and 2, manufacturing that is outsourced is energy 'free' in this calc.

Just another number to throw in the propaganda wastebasket. I am surprised though, that the WSJ published this drivel. Are they competing with Faux News nowadays ?

[DaveinOlyWA]

have to go with the crowd on this one. most manufacturing industries realize that increasing energy costs will force them to adopt more efficient processes or they will simply be unable to compete.

your post attempts to justify our wasteful ways and that simply wont fly no matter what "logic" you are using. the fact remains, we are a small fraction of the world's population using a HUGE slice of the energy pie. your father would have slapped you at the dinner table had you tried to take a piece that big and we as americans should be too. it is very very long overdue.

[skruse]

The Rocky Mountain Institute (www.rmi.org) has researched, discussed and published findings on energy efficiency in detail. See: Ernst von Weizacker, Amory B. Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins (1998), Factor Four: Doubling Wealth - Halving Resource Use: A Report to the Club of Rome Amazon.com: $31. You want to cut your costs by one-half? Double your efficiency.

For 100+ years we have substituted oil and water for knowledge. We can cut our costs, at every scale, by 66% by applying our knowledge, and thereby increase net profit.

Is the US wasteful? Without question. Is there a lot of room for greatly increased efficiency? A resounding yes! We need to stop whining, step up and be proactive by thinking and acting long-term.

[kirbinster]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ May 10 2006, 11:19 AM) [snapback]252769[/snapback]</div>

have to go with the crowd on this one. most manufacturing industries realize that increasing energy costs will force them to adopt more efficient processes or they will simply be unable to compete.

your post attempts to justify our wasteful ways and that simply wont fly no matter what "logic" you are using. the fact remains, we are a small fraction of the world's population using a HUGE slice of the energy pie. your father would have slapped you at the dinner table had you tried to take a piece that big and we as americans should be too. it is very very long overdue.
[/b]

Actually your above statement just proves my point. Based on what we contribute to the world, we are consuming exactly the same amount of energy as the rest of the world does on average. Contritubion based on GDP is a relevant measure - it represents the goods and services we supply to the world. To count energy consumption based on head count is totally meaningless. Why should a do nothing contribute nothing person in the middle of sub-saharan africa consume the same amount of energy sitting and doing nothing as a person that is being productive and contributing to society. Input should equal output! Thus the US use compared to output is equitable.

I for one use a Prius in town and for local trips but I'll be damned if someone is going to tell me that I should drive an econobox when I travel hundreds of miles on the interstate! Do what you want but get off your high horse and don't tell me how I should do things. I would venture to say that I contribute more to energy efficiency with the 12,000 kilowatts of electricity I generate from solar each year than you or anyone on this forum so get your house in order before you tell me that I should not drive what I want when I want.