Hydrocarbons and the evolution of human culture.
Most of the progress in human culture has required the exploitation of energy resources. About 100 years ago, the major source of energy shifted from recent solar to fossil hydrocarbons, including liquid and gaseous petroleum. Technology has generally led to a greater use of hydrocarbon fuels for most human activities, making civilization vulnerable to decreases in supply. At this time our knowledge is not sufficient for us to choose between the different estimates of, for example, resources of conventional oil.
Hall
Charles
C
Department of Environmental Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA.
Tharakan
Pradeep
P
Hallock
John
J
Cleveland
Cutler
C
Jefferson
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D003469:Culture; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005843:Geography; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011057:Politics; D013997:Time Factors
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum