This book examines recent energy use trends and their potential consequences for the global population. Global energy needs have increased dramatically over the past 100 years, and they will continue to increase, creating energy, environmental, and social crises. Can we solve this problem? The first step, according to the authors of Energy Use Worldwide: A Reference Handbook, is to understand fundamental energy issues. Combining their knowledge from the complementary fields of science and policy, the authors begin by explaining the basic facts of energy—what it is, where it comes from, why it is important. Then they show how energy use is linked to global economics, identify key players, and examine the social and environmental consequences of our energy decisions. For readers interested in—or worried about—our use of fossil fuels, this book provides a keen understanding of both the problem and the possible solutions.