Fossil Fuel Production Up Despite Recession

In this economic recession, one might assume that like everything else, the use of fossils fuels has decreased or at least stayed the same. This is actually not the case. World production of fossil fuel-oil and coal have increased 2.9 percent in 2008 to reach 27.4 million tons of oil. What is even more surprising is the new trend that has emerged. The consumption of fossil fuels in developing countries has surpassed that of industrial countries. This can be attributed to the much larger population in developing countries and the large demand for economic development to raise standards of living. Although it is obviously a good thing that developing countries are endeavoring to raise their standards of living, it is scary to think how much oil consumption is going to increase in the future. As we have learned in class, oil is a nonrenewable resource.

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6284