**7. Barriers to energy conservation**

202 Fossil Fuel and the Environment

penetration has increased from a small minority of the population a decade ago, to most of

Personal and business communication over the phone and internet have gained popularity over the last few years, allowing people to be in touch across cities or continents. Better phone communication and video-conferencing (Skype.com etc.) reduce fossil-fuel required for personal travel. In this sense, telecommunication has greatly helped fossil-fuel

The improvements in telecommunication and the internet are a mixed blessing to energy conservation. The ease of internet communication induces personal and casual communication over the internet for prolonged periods. This induces consumers to keep their computers when not needed otherwise. The widespread popularity of websites like facebook.com induce people to keep their computers on for long periods. While laptops and mobile devices consume less power, desktops and their CRT monitors may consume several hundred watts of power. This energy has become a little-recognized cause for increases in power consumption today. The increasing popularity of energy-efficient hand held devices

A major portion, or most of the energy consumed by households and offices is spent on air coolers. In view of this, there have been public service messages informing consumers of the great savings in reducing air-cooler thermostat temperatures by a few degrees. However, there have been very few messages, asking people to replace air-cooling with overhead fans and plain ventilation when possible. It should be recognized that air-coolers normally operate in closed rooms, and air-coolers must work extra to bring down closed-room

Owing to their great power consumption, air-coolers are unsustainable over the next few decades. It should be noted that humans are very capable of acclimatization, and can quickly adjust to high ambient temperatures when needed. Residents of colder Europena countries can quickly acclimatize to the higher temperature of the tropics, such as in Asia

The notion that computer-related equipment last longer in cooler temperatures is now being changed. In a related research conducted in 1994 in Japan, it was seen that computers fared well in higher ambient temperatures of 28 C, as compared to the previous 23-24 C. Mobile phone Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in Bangladesh are being installed without any air-

The lifestyle in much of the developed world consists of rapid consumption and replacement of consumer goods. Such consumer items include automobiles, appliances, electronics, computers, garments, etc. Spending by consumers generates revenue, jobs, taxes for the government, and stimulates the economy in general. Media, such as newspapers, and TV consist of much advertisements, which promote a lifestyle with rapid replacement of consumer items. The problem arises as the production of consumer goods heavily consumes

may favorably improve energy conservation over the next few years.

**6.2 Air coolers and acclimatization** 

temperatures to the outside ambient temperatures.

coolers, as compelled by energy shortages in the country.

the population today.

conservation.

and Africa.

**6.3 Consumerism** 

fossil fuel.

One of the greatest barriers to energy conservation today is that it energy consumption generates revenue, wealth, and taxes. While individuals have an inherent and inbuilt concern for their own future, and the future of their children, companies are generally driven by the bottom line and have little inherent concern for the welfare of humanity. Even though the top management may have concern for the future, when these same officers think collectively as a company, the concern for the future takes second priority over maximizing the bottom line, or profits. Commercial organizations are not very well-built to recognize the potential fuel shortages and depletion many decades down the line.

energy should attempt to discourage unsustainable lifestyles promoting consumerism.

Growth in fossil fuel consumption may be viewed positively by the oil-related industry. When oil and gas shortages cause prices to rise, the higher prices contribute further to the revenue. This may again be viewed positively by commercial forces, which generally direct themselves to maximizing immediate profits.

Companies related to fossil fuel production and distribution benefit from increased extraction and consumption through increased revenue, and consequently increased profits. Increased fossil fuel production generates greater wealth, and benefits the large numbers of companies related to the fuel industry.

It should be noted that much data on remaining reserves and future expected consumption is provided by oil companies. Their data should be considered as optimistic keeping in mind the financial forces which drive their growth.

The revenue from increased fossil fuel production in turn generates more taxes for the government. The government, which are entrusted by the people, to protect the assets of the country, may not be inherently sufficiently far-sighted to prioritze fossil fuel conservation. Governments have mandates for only a few years, leading them to be more concerned about what happens during their tenure, rather than what is good in the long term. To governments, increased oil revenue may be a quick solution for improving the economy and increasing employment, consequently improving popularity among voters.
