In this blog post, we’ll explore whether energy is truly an infinite resource and whether we need to conserve it.
We are living our lives using enormous amounts of energy that people in the past could never have imagined. Compared to the past, we are now consuming what could truly be called an “ocean of energy.” A situation where usable energy becomes scarce would certainly not be a desirable scenario for humanity.
In his book *Sapiens*, Yuval Noah Harari argues that there are infinite energy sources in the universe, and what we need is the technology to process those sources into forms we can use efficiently. He cites the Industrial Revolution and the Scientific Revolution as evidence for this claim. Previously, humans used food as an energy source to perform physical labor. Although countless energy sources existed, humanity could not find a way to utilize them using only physical labor. However, with the invention of the steam engine, countless machines that were once unimaginable began to operate. With the advancement of science, we now extract and use energy from electricity and even from invisible atomic nuclei. In this way, Harari believes that the infinite progress of science and technology will provide us with endless energy.
But if energy is infinite, why do we emphasize the need to conserve energy in our daily lives and strive to put this into practice? Is energy truly infinite to the point where we need not worry about it?
My answer to this is “No.” Just look at oil, for starters. There are countless items we use in our daily lives that are derived from oil. Oil refers to liquid hydrocarbons naturally formed underground or their refined products, which can also be interpreted as being confined within the limits of the Earth. In other words, oil is a resource with a finite total quantity. The idea that this finite energy source can be used infinitely is an optimistic notion that ignores reality. In fact, oil production and consumption are increasing by billions of tons every year. This rising consumption will lead to resource depletion, which will impose significant constraints on our lives.
Some might argue that we could simply develop a substitute for oil. However, finding a resource that can perfectly replace oil, exists naturally, possesses sufficient reserves to meet current demand, and is easy to use is practically impossible. Therefore, we must create artificial substitutes, but this process will consume additional resources, ultimately leading to a cyclical depletion of resources. No matter what we do, we cannot avoid the problem of energy and resource depletion.
Furthermore, some might argue that the problem could be solved if we could utilize solar energy more effectively. However, current technology also relies on methods that generate power by absorbing sunlight. It is doubtful whether there are any alternatives beyond capturing light, even as technology advances. In addition, various technologies such as renewable energy and nuclear fusion energy are being developed. However, renewable energy has lower efficiency compared to other technologies. New energy sources cannot provide an infinite supply of raw materials either. Nuclear fusion energy, which is attracting attention as a next-generation energy source, also poses radiation risks, and since it cannot be operated for extended periods with current technology, its development requires significant time.
The amount of resources and energy consumed by humans is gradually increasing year by year. Most of the scientific and technological advancements to come will also require energy. Considering the steadily rising energy consumption and the steadily decreasing energy reserves, the outcome is clear. Humanity will reach this tipping point in the not-too-distant future, and avoiding it will be difficult without a breakthrough in technology. So, what is the best course of action for us?
Frankly, in a situation where energy is limited, whatever we do, we have no choice but to consume energy to survive, and this is an inescapable reality. Therefore, the actions we must take are not numerous. First, a conscious shift in mindset is necessary. Modern people are living their lives wasting energy amidst what appears to be an infinitely vast sea of energy.
When these individual wasteful habits accumulate, the total consumption will reach a level that cannot be ignored. To prevent this, we must always maintain an awareness of energy conservation; we must not leave this as mere knowledge but turn it into embodied knowledge by putting it into practice.
Second, we must develop energy-saving technologies. If energy consumption is inevitable, we need technologies that minimize consumption as much as possible and regenerate energy using a portion of what has been consumed. Examples in the architectural field include passive houses, zero-energy houses, plus-energy houses, and low-energy houses. There is also a technology called Ecopath, which uses pressure-sensitive generators installed in roadways to generate electricity by harnessing the pressure generated when vehicles pass over the road.
Finally, there is the invention of new technologies. Although I previously spoke negatively about new technologies, this was a critique of the attitude of relying solely on new technologies and living with an overly optimistic mindset. Of course, these technologies do not promise eternal energy production, but they can lead to the discovery of useful energy sources that expand the limits of available energy, or to the development of technologies that identify areas for conservation within existing systems. If such technologies are realized, humanity may be able to postpone the time that could, in the extreme, lead to our extinction.
Humanity has built modern society through endless revolutions and progress. Living lives that are more affluent and technologically advanced than in the past, we may have become too complacent and are turning a blind eye to the looming major problems. Even looking at myself, while I have the intention to conserve energy, I often find it bothersome to put it into practice or simply forget to do so. After reading *Sapiens* and reflecting on energy issues, I realized that this problem is far more serious than I had imagined. Through this experience, I have resolved to live a life where I actively practice energy conservation, even if it is just me.
