Abstract
Energy is often said to be the lifeblood of modern society. It enables us to fulfill our basic human needs and it powers the world economy. Yet, the energy path we are currently on is clearly unsustainable. Our massive combustion of fossil fuels — that is, oil, coal, and natural gas — unleashes tons and tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing the global climate to warm at a destructive pace. Dwindling conventional reserves make these fuels increasingly expensive to extract and force companies to venture into unconventional oil and gas production, which brings with it a host of environmental and social concerns. In addition, the upstream oil and gas sector continues to be associated with corruption, bad governance, and human rights abuses. At the same time, about a quarter of the world’s population lacks access to electricity and to the basic services it provides.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
Copyright information
© 2013 Thijs Van de Graaf
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Van de Graaf, T. (2013). Introduction. In: The Politics and Institutions of global Energy Governance. Energy, Climate and the Environment Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137320735_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137320735_1
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-45782-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-32073-5
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)