Energy and GDP

Quality of Life, Per capita energy consumption and GDP are closely coupled

Since 1990 New Zealand nett GHG emissions have increased by 57.16%.

This increase must be tempered against the fact that the population has increased by 50% in the same timespan and the GDP has increased by 400%

However care must be taken that any proposed reduction in GHG emissions by virtue of eliminating Fossil Fuel from the energy mix does not lower our quality of life.

Some food for thought

Where NZ would be if we deducted the Fossil Fuel from our energy take with no substitution

Quality of Life is related to the quality of fuel

That pyramid of Needs

The Seneca Cliff