Three Stages of Society and Energy Development

THREE STAGES OF SOCIETY AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

by Anton Antonio

April 14, 2015

The development of society as a social unit ran parallel to man’s discovery, utilization and development of energy sources.  The first widely used source of energy was coal, then crude oil, in the last two Centuries.  “The first fossil fuel used by man is coal.  The countries with an abundant supply of coal were able to participate in the 18^th Century industrial revolution.  The burning of coal powered machines that revolutionized and increased production technology and increased efficiency in the transport and delivery of goods.  From the early 1800s to the early 1900s, coal provided 80% of the energy requirement of the industrialized economies of the world.  However, by the mid 1900s, crude oil overtook coal to become the dominant energy source.”  (Antonio, 2015)

With reference to energy development, the three stages in the development of society are (Florece, et al., 1999):

1. EARLY CIVILIZATION.  During this period, the sources of energy are the muscle power of man which he used for hunting and gathering food and making fire to cook his food.  Forest provided wood to enable man to cook.
2. AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION.  This is marked by the domestication of plants and animals that provided a more dependable source of energy in terms of food for man.  Animals also provided energy for transportation.
3. INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.  Use of fossil fuel to run machines that replaced human and animal power in the manufacture and transport of goods.

Today, because of discovered realities in the last three decades of environmental problems such as the greenhouse effect, global warming and climate change, man is more judicious in his choice of energy source.  The present worldviews on renewable and clean energy sources were formed by knowledge to include the three stages of society and energy development.

Just my little thoughts…

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REFERENCE:

Antonio, A. C. (2015).  “Fossil Fuels”.  Retrieved on April 14, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/

Florece, L. M., Espaldon, M. V. O., Cuevas, V. C., Sierra, Z. B., & Medina, C. P. (1999).  “Principles of Ecology”.  University of the Philippines Open University, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines