Sources of Data

These scenarios are based on data and research about energy use and fossil fuel emissions. See below for an overview of some of the main sources of data and research used in these scenarios and links to web sites for additional information.

The Joules Family Scenario:

The family’s home energy use is based on data for the average American household according to 2005 survey data from the US Energy Information Administration. The choices about changes to energy use at home are based primarily on information from the Energy Savers web site at the US Department of Energy, with other information from individual studies by other researchers. Emissions from vehicles are based on estimates from fueleconomy.gov. Emissions related to food are based on a collection of individual studies including Eshel and Martin (2006) and Weber and Matthers (2008). Emissions from waste are based on a report by the US EPA entitled Solid Waste Management and Greenhouse Gases.

The Ruler of the World Scenario:

Your Majesty's ministers have searched far and wide to gather information to help Your Highness choose wisely.

Much of the data came from the US Department of Energy's (US DoE) Energy Information Administration web site. Specific portions of the site that your ministers found useful include: the International Energy Outlook 2009, the International data section, and the overviews and background info in the Energy Explained section (including the Energy Conversion Calculators). Two other portions of the DoE's web site caught the eye of your royal advisors: Renewable Energy Technology Characterizations and the Transportation Energy Data Book.

Your ministers discovered vast storehouses of information about greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide emissions, and climate change in reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Specifically, Chapter 4: "Energy Supply" of the report by Working Group III (WG3) "Mitigation of Climate Change", part of the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) by the IPCC was especially valuable.

The National Academy Press of the US National Academies has a helpful site called What You Need to Know About Energy. Finally, British Petroleum's Statistical Review of World Energy 2009 provides a wealth of data, especially with regards to trends in fossil fuel use.