How do Americans consume so much energy?

Question

I've read that the U. S. A. consumes 25% of the whole world's energy. I was wondering how is this possible with "only" 300 million people? Do they never turn off the TV and keep on driving and heating 24 hours a day or what?

Answer 1

America is a superpower. This has been achieved through industry so their factories will produce a high percentage of that energy,
it has the biggest machines across the boards,
it's probably the largest number of cars,
It certainly has the largest cars
it's farms have animals that also contribute to pollution

and perhaps an energy saving culture rather than extreme consumption hasn't sunk into the average american's psyche yet (unless you're dealing with arnold' state which of course would be different.
it's no great

Answer 2

Americans are on average considerably wealthier than most of the people in the world; the vast majority of the world's population consists of poor rural farmers. It's not surprising that Americans would consume more energy than such individuals, who would have a relatively modest energy budget. In addition, in recent years the federal government has discouraged energy conservation, and many Americans are thus in the habit of being spendthrift with energy. Also a lack of tax incentives for conservation probably prevents many people from making the effort to, for example, effectively insulate homes. Enormous cars are a large contributor; a significant portion of U.S. energy consumption is spent on transportation.

Answer 3

All that energy consumption is not just wast. Keep in mind, the United States is also one of, if not the largest producer of many necessary things used all over the world. We are usually the largest trading partner with most countries. The energy we consume ultimately benefits all our trading partners because of our high productivity. It would be interesting to compare that to our % of global production.

Answer 4

We are a wasteful, disposable society. Most of us have never known true hardship, such as those who suffered through the Great Depression of 1929. Most of us don't even comprehend why it's important to REuse, REduce, and REcycle. We just toss it all into landfills and buy more new stuff.
Most Americans aren't even aware that the plastic junk they buy requires petroleum for its manufacture. Most Americans don't care, as long as they're comfortable in their warm homes, gas-guzzling $60,000 SUVs, and heated swimming pools.
We represent 5% of the world's population and yet squander 55% of the world's resources, including wood, oil, coal, mineral ore, plants, water, and natural gas.
It's only a matter of time until China decides it needs more of the Earth's natural resources for its own population. Then - since the U.S. is China's largest debtor - China will simply 'foreclose' after cutting off our line of credit. They'll come over here and just take whatever they want, knowing that the U.S. won't have the money to fund its military (just as happened in the former U.S.S.R. fifteen years ago).
Europeans know how to conserve by riding mopeds, walking to work, driving compact cars, and dressing comfortable to live in cooler houses. Americans just turn up their thermostats, fill up their SUVs, and continue to waste energy. -RKO-

Answer 5

it's not just America who uses the most energy other countries are to blame aswell. Why should American be blamed for using the most energy when other countries are using more and more energy every year look at China and for instance you seem to have forgotten about them. I mean in parts of China there is a permanent fog hanging over some cities.

Answer 6

IT'S BECAUSE IN AMERICA WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO DO EVERY THING BIG. MOST HOUSEHOLDS HAVE MORE THAN 1 TV. CAR, MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ITEMS, AND WE HAVE BIG INDUSTRY. WE KEEP OUR STREETS LIT UP AND WE HAVE AN OBSESSION FOR HUGE GAS GUZZLING SUV'S. BUT WE ONLY DO ALL THIS BECAUSE WE CAN. WE HAVE A HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING.

Answer 7

More like their always on the net and USE 'smaller' and smaller, latest technology goods which consumes more power

Answer 8

it is mostly due to our production and lack of good public transportation, and our addiction to driving bigger and bigger cars