Energy 101
Hawaiʻi's energy decisions require understanding how energy actually works at a global scale. We recommend the following resources as foundational to the understanding of our energy system.
What is energy?
Energy (the hydrocarbon form) plays an outsized role in just about everything, not just the gas we put in our cars or the electricity that powers our homes and businesses. It feeds, clothes, heals, and shelters us. It enables our global economy and has allowed humanity to grow and thrive. However, most of humanity is energy blind.
Understanding energy, its role, and the consequences of depletion (or hyper-competition) is essential to paving the way for a more sustainable way of life. Nate Hagen has produced a short series that explains energy in a simple, easily understood manner. Take a few minutes to learn.
Global energy trends
Global Oil Production
This short video offers insight into global oil production over several decades. Notable is the decline in recent years. What do you make of this? What does it mean for the global economy? What does it mean for Hawaii, the most oil-dependent state in the union?
Global Population Growth
Another very interesting and concerning trend is population growth. This is growth on a planet with finite resources and where competition for resources and the hyper-consumption are translating into environmental, social, and planetary stress.
Energy Transition Crisis
The Energy Transition Crisis is a fascinating eight-part docuseries on the energy transition and the strategies needed to enable a managed and just transition away from fossil fuels.
If the energy transition is done right, we will mitigate global warming and climate change and avoid an egregious global economic crisis.
The energy transition challenge (episodes 1-4)
Nuclear and Advanced Technologies (episodes 5-7)
Energy Transition - The path forward (episode 8)
Let’s work together to create a sustainable and resilient Hawaii
We are here to answer your questions and hear your ideas. Most of all we are here to join with you to organize a sustainable, self-sufficient future for all of us who live on this beautiful, shared community we call home… Hawai‘i Island.