The National Academies has launched "What You Need to Know About Energy" - a website designed to help us understand the ways we use energy, where it comes from, and how energy efficiency and alternative sources can figure into our energy future. The more we know, the better equipped we’ll be to engage in the ongoing debate about energy policy.
- Uses. Discover how the strength of American industry, speed of transportation, and countless modern conveniences all come from our ingenious use of energy.
- Sources. The United States depends on a variety of energy sources. What advantages and challenges does each one present to our nation and its people?
- Costs. Learn about the costs of our unprecedented standard of living—to the environment, to our national security, and to irreplaceable resources.
- Efficiency. Increasing supply isn’t the only answer to a stable energy future. Discover how reducing demand through improved efficiency achieves the same effect.
The site provides balanced and reliable information about our energy sources, uses, and options for the future. Take a quiz to see what you already know about energy. Explore “Our Energy System” for a quick and clear overview of the energy sources we depend on in the United States and how they are used, including what each source contributes to carbon dioxide emissions. Learn compelling facts about oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, and renewable sources, such as solar and wind, including the pros and cons of each source. Compare a few cars and household appliances in “Understanding Efficiency” to see which use energy more effectively. Then rely on your new understanding of the energy situation as you make decisions about energy in your daily life, or participate in discussions about our nation’s energy options for the future.
