The World in 2030

Little in our world is as politically charged as energy generation
and energy supply. Perhaps only national defence is regarded
by governments as having more strategic importance. Just
as individual humans must consume energy each day to
survive, so must our modern high-tech societies. Politicians
know that if there is a sustained failure in energy supply, or
a long-term shortage of gasoline, citizens will take to the
streets.
In ‘The Hydrogen Economy’ Jeremy Rifkin describes the
social and political role of energy in stark terms:
Societies collapse when the energy flow is suddenly
impeded. Energy is no longer available in sufficient
volume to sustain the increased populations, defend
the state against intruders, and maintain the internal
infrastructure. Collapse is characterised by a reduction
in food surpluses; a winnowing of government
inventories; a reduction of energy consumed per
capita; disrepair of critical infrastructures like irrigation
systems, road, and aqueducts; increasing popular
defiance towards the state; growing lawlessness;
a breakdown in central authority; a depopulation of
urban areas; and increasing invasions and pillaging
by marauding groups or armies. 319