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| source: Word Energy Outlook |
The latest authoritative report from the International Energy Agency says the United States could become energy independent by 2035 if unconventional recovery of hydrocarbons by hydraulic fracturing of oil shales continues apace. Fracking [chart at right] will push oil production up from 8.1 million barrels a day to 11.1 million while gas extraction will increase from 604 to 747 billion cubic meters a day. Fracking is known to cause
damage to water supplies,
maladies related to toxins, and
even earth tremors. The IEA also said in its report that hydrocarbon emissions rose globally by 3.2% thanks to fossil fuel consumption subsidies of $523 billion in 2011. The subsidies insure that fossil fuels will remain entrenched as the world's dominate energy source. The current trend is towards emission of 37 gigatons of CO₂ by 2035 which equates to a global temperature increase of 3.6 degrees Celsius, well above the two degree increase climate experts think would allow humans to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.
