1. What kind of energy for the 21st century?

Energy remains at the heart of leaders' concerns. Oil for transport and electricity for most activities are necessary to keep a country running.

Fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix. Oil accounts for 34% of global energy consumption, gas for 23% and coal for 28% . We also consume electricity from hydropower (7% of our needs), nuclear power (4%), and wind, solar and geothermal power (4%). Yet oil, gas and coal deposits are unevenly distributed across the planet. The Middle East holds almost half of the world's easily accessible oil; Russia, the Middle East and now the United States are the main sources of gas. Coal is more evenly distributed.

Added to the problem...