Why is ‘energy’ an ethical issue?

The world as we know is dependent on cheap energy to function, but :

• the fossil fuels that provide most of it also cause Climate Change;
• the world demand for energy is steadily rising faster than suppliers can keep up;
• fossil fuels, particularly oil, will eventually run out, though it is unclear exactly when this will happen;
• as the supply dwindles while demand is rising, the cost of energy from fossil fuels may rise dramatically;
  
• whether we share (or don’t share) the responsibility of changing how we obtain and use energy will greatly affect the future wellbeing of everyone on our planet;
  
• but there are consequences to the choices we make in how we reduce energy use and find replacement energy sources.
   
  

Thus the core ethical issues revolve around:

• ensuring fair access to energy
• understanding the consequences of the way we supply energy
• deciding upon how we will act in response to those consequences
• acting quickly enough to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
  

Energy use & climate change