Energy Facts

Energy Facts

Energy, in physics, the capacity for doing work. It may exist in potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, chemical, nuclear, or other various forms. There are, moreover, heat and work—i.e., energy in the process of transfer from one body to another. After it has been transferred, energy is always designated according to its nature. Hence, heat transferred may become thermal energy, while work is done may manifest itself in the form of mechanical energy.
About 5,000 years ago, the energy people consumed for their survival averaged about 12,000 kilocalories per person each day. In AD 1400, each person was consuming about twice as much energy (26,000 kilocalories). After the Industrial Revolution, the demand almost tripled to an average of 77,000 kilocalories per person in 1875. By 1975, it had tripled again to 230,000 kilocalories per person.
Energy is critically important to the Canadian economy as Canada is among the largest energy producers and the highest per-capita energy consumers in the world. Our nation’s prosperity and competitiveness are tied to achieving sustainable economic growth and a successful transition to a lower carbon future. Canada is committed to creating a cleaner environment for future generations by investing in clean technologies and increasing energy efficiency.
A wide variety of factors have an influence on the level of GHG emissions in Canada. In Canada, and around the world, almost 80% of GHG emissions from human activities come from energy consuming activities such as transportation, energy and electricity production, heating and cooling of buildings, the operation of appliances and equipment, production of goods, and the provision of services.
In general, Canadians use more energy because of our extreme temperatures, large land mass, and dispersed population.

SOURCES:
Natural Resources Canada NRCan
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Internet Article by By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer 2017

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