As the global economy grows and thrives, the worldwide demand for energy resources increases. Studies of energy consumption trends project that world energy consumption will increase by 59 percent before the year 2020. As greater numbers of people around the world search for more efficient ways to fuel modes of transportation, heat and light their homes and businesses, and power the production of goods of all kinds, they are faced with skyrocketing energy costs and dwindling supplies of fossil fuels, as well as increasing environmental degradation. industrialized nations' dependence on natural resources, particularly fossil fuels, as well as developing nations' increasing consumption of these resources. This eye-opening volume draws parallels between the energy-related challenges faced by the United States.